Canola Growing

Canola acreage is expected to increase again this year in the Pacific Northwest, prompting the establishment of the Pacific Northwest Canola Association.

Karen Sowers says there are a variety of benefits for the increasing number of canola growers in the area to join the association. In addition to the membership in the regional association, growers become members in the U.S. Canola Association.

Sowers adds the Association is a great opportunity to network, whether it's fellow farmers, industry individuals, university researchers and others.

Also, the Association will serve as a marketing tool for the canola grown in the Northwest

Meanwhile, more farmers are finding room for canola growing. Strong canola prices and high demand make the crop almost irresistible. Canola does have a downside though, due to its high expense and seed failure rate.

Sowers added that there's a lot of word of mouth interest in what canola can do for dryland growers across the northwest.