Canola harvest on the High Plains might begin early this spring because of warmer-than-usual weather that moved the crop closer to maturity.
Winter canola harvest typically begins in early to mid-June, but is tracking one to two weeks early, said Jeff Frazier, Scoular market development manager. Despite summerlike heat, sharp temperature swings and low moisture, the crop has shown resilience, he said. Canola’s deep taproot has helped the crop access deeper moisture, allowing it to hold up better than wheat in dry conditions.
“The weather has thrown producers everything from freezing wind chills to record heat, but the crop is holding up well overall,” Frazier said. “That comes down to good management in the field and stronger seed genetics than growers used to have.”
Scoular is encouraging farmers to plant canola for agronomic benefits and to tap into renewable fuels markets. Planting canola as a rotation crop can help reduce weed pressure and improve yields. Canola acres in Kansas and Oklahoma have increased to more than 50,000, up from roughly 15,000 acres three years ago.
Scoular supports canola growers through its dual oilseed crush facility in Goodland, Kansas. The Goodland facility can crush 400,000 acres, so there is capacity to expand acres on the High Plains, Frazier said. Canola and soybean producers will benefit from recent updates to the Renewable Fuel Standard, which will help boost demand for both crops, he said.
Mike Stamm, a canola breeder at Kansas State University, said the availability of the Goodland facility has encouraged more producers to plant canola. Work by seed companies and the K-State winter canola breeding program has generated more resilient varieties, motivating more producers to plant the crop, he said.
“Canola seed has come a long way,” Stamm said. “Newer varieties can help the crop stay on track in harsh weather.”
For more information about growing canola, Frazier at [email protected].
Scoular, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is an employee-owned, $7.3 billion agribusiness company founded in 1892. The company buys, sells, stores, handles and processes grain and ingredients through global networks and expertise in trade and transportation.
It employs 1,250 people in more than 100 offices and facilities worldwide and provides solutions to farmers, grain processors, biofuel producers and manufacturers of animal feed, aquafeed and pet food, as well as food, beverage and supplement companies.
