Canola Acreage Continues To Grow In The Northwest

Canola’s popularity continues to grow among dryland growers across the Pacific Northwest.

“[USDA has reported] 100,000 acres [planted] in Idaho, which would best be a record by 1,000 acres," said Karen Sowers, Executive Director of the PNW Canola Association.  "Montana acres are predicted up, Washington steady, Oregon steady. So overall up. And I think just with the price difference, and again, just always the need for a different mode of action for weed control, different you know, disease approaches, crop rotation is just good for anything along those fronts, but canola is a bonus.”

Sowers noted canola is a benefit in a variety of other ways, including pollinator habitat, market diversity, crop diversity, root differences, and weed control.  And in addition to the environmental benefits, she highlighted the economic benefits.

"The price is definitely staying steady, and up a little bit, depending on when you can market your canola, and the future is always better than day of, but especially in comparison to other crops.”

Between the oil and meal for livestock, Sowers says not only is demand there for canola, but typically growers have a relatively easy time finding a market for their product.

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