CANOLA

PRODUCTION FACTS

    Canola is an edible oil that is extracted from two oilseeds crucifers, Brassica rapa (= campestris) L. and B. napus L. Using conventional plant breeding techniques, selections that were low in seed glucosinolates and euric acid were developed in Canada, and referred to a double-low rapeseed or canola. Canola can be produced either as spring or fall planted crop, depending on location.

    In the North Central Region, it is a spring planted crop in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The crop is usually planted in late April or early May and harvested in August and September. Canola is usually produced in rotation with small grains. Tillage is conventional with sweep-tillage and seeded with an air-drill or press drill. It is seeded at a rate of 5 - 8 lbs in 6 - 8 inch row spacing.

    In the Pacific Northwest, it can be either a spring or fall planted crop in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. A fall planted crop is usually seeded in September and harvested in July. A spring planted crop is usually seeded in April or May and harvested in August. Canola is grown in rotation with winter or spring wheat, barley, peas, or lentils. Tillage is usually conventional with sweep tillage and seeded with either with an air-drill or press drill. It is seeded at a rate of 5 - 8 lbs in 6 - 10 inch row spacing.

    In the Southeast, canola is grown in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and northern Florida. The crop is planted in October and harvested in May. Canola usually is double cropped following corn, peanuts, cotton, or tobacco with summer crops planted after canola being soybean, cotton, or grain sorghum. Tillage usually is conventional with chisel plowing and/or disc harrowing. Typically 5-6 lbs per acre of seed are planted in 7 to 10 inch rows using a grain drill. All canola grown in the Southeast is genetically engineered to produce lauric acid as part of the oil in the seed. (Canola oil normally does not produced lauric acid). Oil extracted meal typically is used a livestock and poultry feed.

This site was last updated on April 19, 2000 at 04:39 PM -0500