Sowers: NW Can Expect An Average Canola Crop

The Canola harvest has slowly begun across the Northwest.  Karen Sowers, executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Canola Association said the winter canola crop looks to be on par with some growers enjoying a better than average season.

“Everybody’s aware of all of the winter moisture we got and then a pretty average or above average flowering season in April, May, June, just depending on where you’re at.”

Sowers said the spring canola crop could use some rain, since precipitation has been spotty this year.  For those that have enjoyed moisture throughout the year, she said the spring crop is looking good.

Sowers added growers have not reported any problems with diseases at this point; however insects, that’s a different story.

“Close to two months ago, cabbage seedpod weevil reared its head in the northern counties of Washington state.  For spring canola, there’s a few aphids that’s been reported also diamondback moths, whether or not those are at threshold levels that can be determined by scouting the field.  The cabbage seedpod weevil outbreak was one of the worst ones so far this season and again, that was only on winter canola.”

Sowers added scouting so important, not just the perimeter but in the heart of the field itself.  And when it comes to the actual harvest, she said its important to slow down.

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