Canola growers had a lot to smile about at harvest time last year.
“Canola yields were phenomenal, really outstanding in 2009,” said Barry Coleman, executive director of the Northern Canola Growers Association.
Coleman said canola is a good choice for growers in their rotations with more than 90 percent of the crop in the Upper Plains consistently being graded number one. In addition, there are many good hybrid varieties out there and a wide availability of markets.
USDA reported this month that producers averaged 1,840 pounds an acre in North Dakota, but Coleman has had reports from growers signaling even higher yields.
“A lot of guys thought the average should be more like 2,000 pounds. Many had yields of 3,000 pounds an acre,” he said. “They had great yields all over the state.”
In northwestern Minnesota, USDA reported an average of 1,700 pounds an acre.
“The yields weren't necessarily a record in Minnesota, but they were good,” Coleman said.
In Montana, where about 6,500 acres of canola are grown in the northeastern region, USDA reported average yields of 1,660 pounds an acre.
While canola acreage was down last year from 2008, Coleman expects the oilseed to gain acres in 2010. He thinks acreage will rebound from the 730,000 acres planted in 2009 to about 950,000 acres in 2010.
One reason may be the increased preventive plantings due to weather in the northeastern section opening up a lot of acres and the good yields producers received last year, he said.
“A lot of guys had some terrific yields and there are a lot of good hybrid varieties out there,” he said. “Canola is good in the rotation and it really cleans up the field.”
With most growers using InVigor, Roundup Ready and Clearfield hybrid canolas, the grassy weeds are basically gone, Coleman said. That means a nice, clean field for the following crop, he added.
Click here to see more...