3-28 IAT Canola Again

 Taking a page out of Jerry Seinfeld’s book, what’s the deal with canola?

 Several years ago I went to Montana State University with my daughter to find out if she were interested in accepting a tennis scholarship. While we were there, and given that she was interested in a degree in nutrition, we met up with a group of scientists in the college of agriculture. Every one of them vowed that canola was a huge opportunity for producers. I came back to town and did several stories which passed the word along that canola was a big deal. I never heard that there was any kind of a canola boom but, oh well. Now I pick up the Statesman which is echoing an article from the Moscow-Pullman Daily News and the 1st line is Canola, long a rotation crop on the Palouse, is exploding in profitability and acreage, researchers say.Acreage has increased threefold in the past two years, says Jack Brown, professor in the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. He predicts acreage will double because of increased demand, higher prices and improved research. Not to say I told you so but... anyway, again in an effort to edify, I picked up the phone with Dr. Brown at U of I.  “Is canola a viable crop in Idaho and 2nd, would it make sense for a producer to replace wheat or some other rotation crop with canola? Yes and yes. Next question?” A man of few words.