Agricultural Crops

Washington’s Winter Canola Sets Record Yields

Washington’s winter canola recorded an impressive 113.8 bushels per acre, achieving yields above typical standards.
Image provided by Rubisco Seeds

Key Takeaways:

  • Washington’s Schoonover Hutterian Brethren recorded an impressive 113.8 bushels per acre of winter canola, achieving yields above typical standards.
  • Rubisco Seeds’ hybrid winter canola varieties demonstrated resilience to challenging weather, including deep planting in dry soil and survival of extreme winter cold.
  • The crop’s oil content reached 46%, equating to 340 gallons per acre, suitable for food production or renewable fuel.
  • Yield records reflect the role of genetics and agronomic practices, with attention on regenerative agriculture to enhance productivity and sustainability.
  • The success aligns with global trends, joining high-yield canola records in Canada, Australia, and the UK.

High-Yield Canola Crops Bring Recognition to Washington Farming

In the agricultural landscape of central Washington, recent high-yield canola crops from the Schoonover Hutterian Brethren farm have marked a notable achievement in winter crop production. Despite January’s intense cold—where temperatures dropped to -6.3°F accompanied by 25 mph winds and no snow cover—the farm’s non-GMO winter canola, developed by Rubisco Seeds, thrived. Field trials documented by Washington State University’s oilseed agronomist Jesse Ford recorded yields averaging 113.8 bushels per acre across multiple test plots, establishing a new milestone for Washington agriculture.

Focus on Resilient Seed Genetics and Regenerative Practices

Greg Walter of the Schoonover Hutterian Brethren noted the resilience of Rubisco Seeds’ winter canola, which demonstrated both deep-soil planting tolerance in dry conditions and reliable winter survival. Michael Nestor, a regenerative agronomist and owner of Sterling Valley Agronomy, provided agronomic support, with a program focused on regenerative practices. Nestor emphasized that “managing the winter canola from a regenerative perspective” helped reduce inputs while maintaining yields, contributing to the overall productivity and profitability of the crop.

The seed genetics selected by Rubisco Seeds aim to support farmers in challenging conditions. “We focus on varieties that can withstand the hot, dry conditions of central Washington’s fall planting,” Nestor explained, underlining the importance of seed resilience in challenging climates.

Comparison with Global High-Yield Records

These results place Washington’s crop among record-setting winter canola yields worldwide. Other high-yield records include 107.36 bushels per acre in Ontario, Canada; 127.8 in New South Wales, Australia; and yields exceeding 125 bushels in parts of the United Kingdom. While variations in harvest moisture content can affect final records, the Schoonover’s crop adds Washington to the global record map, demonstrating that well-adapted genetics and agronomy can achieve notable productivity.

Balancing Canola Production for Food and Fuel

The oil content of the Schoonover’s canola reached 46%, translating to about 340 gallons per acre, with potential applications in both food processing and renewable energy sectors, including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. These versatile uses underscore the flexibility of canola as a crop, although debates around prioritizing crops for food versus fuel are likely to continue.

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