Learning More About Canola as Upcoming Conference

Canola acres across the Pacific Northwest continue to increase each year. Washington State University Extension and Outreach Specialist Karen Sowers shares the advantages of growing canola

Sowers: "A simple answer to that is that it is a rotation crop. A broadleaf crop versus wheat which is a grass crop. When you rotate a different type crop you will get rotational benefits such as breaking disease and pest cycles. Canola has a deep tap root that helps soil -- water infertiliation and soil friability and soil structure. Another huge benefit we've heard antidotal from a lot of growers is a yield boost in the following wheat crop. After canola whether you are in a wheat-fallow-wheat-canola system or annual cropping whatever it is -- there is typically a yield boost in the following cereal crop."

If you are interested in learning more, Sowers shares more about an upcoming conference.

Sowers: "There is a large conference in late January in Kennewick, Washington. Washington State University and the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association. There will be a lot of oilseed experts from around the world -- from Australia, Canada and United States and other larger canola production regions of the world. They have the experience and they can share that with growers and industry. It is important for the entire supply chain to be educated about everything from planting the crop, to harvesting it, to marketing it."

That two day Oilseed Conference will be held January 20-22 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Washington.