Canola’s health benefits, demand by consumers, profitability and rotational potential for farmers make it a popular alternative crop in Kansas.
The growing demand for canola—and its various uses from oil seed to biofuel source—has, in the last 10 years, made canola a more popular and profitable rotational crop in Kansas. Winter canola is commonly grown in central and south central Kansas under dryland conditions, while in southwest Kansas it is grown using irrigation. Now is the time to make decisions to ensure a successful canola growing season for 2013-2014.
If you are enjoying reading this article, please check out Southwest Farm Press Daily and receive the latest news right to your inbox.
Mike Stamm, a canola breeder and associate agronomist at Kansas State University, said about 80 percent of the canola oil consumed in the United States is imported, so it makes sense for farmers in the southern Great Plains to grow more winter canola.
For more information on how to grow canola successfully, read top tips here.