Oilseed Growing as Inland Northwest Crop

More Inland Northwest wheat growers are using canola and other oilseeds as a rotational crop to benefit soils, break disease cycles and many other benefits.

Dave Dye of Hefty Seed Company in Quincy, WA said it’s not over yet.

“I see it as a crop that’s just going to be increasing as value to the farmer in rotation so there’s going to be a lot more canola in the future.”

And it’s more than just overall crop and soil health, but there are becoming bigger markets and it’s becoming a good economic option.

Still, the best benefit for growers is how it can help quality and yield, and Dye said that has led to the creation of tailored varieties.

"M E canola, roundup canola, so you got tools to go after some of those problem weeds you’ve been fighting under conventional weed programs.”

Dye said one of the major problems producers are running into is transportation of the crop, but he says that situation is improving.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail krounce@cherrycreekradio.com.