Canola Growers Reminded To Order Seed Now

With warmer weather in the long-term forecast, growers are planning for the season ahead.  Karen Sowers, Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Canola Association saw while canola seed is produced across much of the western Hemisphere; in the U.S., Canada, and South America, that doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges getting needed seeds.  But the slowdowns and challenges may not be for the reasons you expect.

“Its mainly weather driven more than anything it's not supply chain, it's the weather that's driving the shortages more than anything. And secondary to that is the demand. In the PNW, we're a little bit fortunate in that regard that we seed the earlier than North Dakota and Canada. And Canada's 20 million acres and North Dakota's pushing two million acres. So that's another reason to get orders in early.”

Sowers added 2023 is a special year as the PNWCA celebrates five years serving the region.  She noted having a grower organization that covers four states is a benefit to producers in a variety of ways.  First, she noted there are many opportunities to learn from fellow growers across the area.  And she said the $100 a year membership provides membership in the U.S. Canola Association, giving growers a voice in Washington D.C.

“And there's a great team of lobbyists there to help with representing the canola growers in the Pacific Northwest and across the U.S. in D.C.. So, the importance as I mentioned D.C. to have a strong grower base in our organization is a big thing, it’s a big deal, when we're talking to any legislators, whether we have 16 members versus 160 members that's a big thing.”

Click Here to learn more about the Pacific Northwest Canola Association.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com