2025 A Good Year For Northwest Canola

With so much focus on the struggle in farm country these days, it’s nice to hear about sector that are doing well.  And this year, canola was one of those commodities.

“This year I've heard more stories from more farmers in the four-state region of, ‘I don't know if that canola is going to do so well,’ and it did, or it did better than they expected," said Karen Sowers, Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Canola Association, covering Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.  "With the commodity prices the way they are, canola is their cash crop compared to especially grains right now.”

When it comes to the quality of the crop, Sowers says spring canola wasn’t great; below-average to average.  While winter canola reported good numbers for the most part.

"Except in areas where there was frost, maybe in the middle of the field where you couldn't see at a low spot or the frost settled and that got to the yield somewhat and then heat blasting with early hot temperatures during flowering," Sowers said.  "So overall, pretty good year for canola, spring and winter.” 

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com