Wheat in the fast lane

Canada’s canola industry reached a milestone in the fall of 2005.

From 1990 until 2004, canola yields across the Prairies were stuck in a range of 23 to 27 bushels per acre.

Some producers were recording yields much higher than 25 bu. per acre, but the average yield in Canada was stagnant.

Finally, in 2005, the average yield topped 30 bu. per acre. The actual number was 32.7 bu., using Canola Council of Canada data.

Yields in the 30s soon became the new normal as farmers averaged 31 to 36 bu. per acre for the next seven or eight years.

In 2013, the canola sector reached another milestone.