A ‘mystery syndrome’ is stunting canola buds, and Alberta researchers still aren’t sure what’s causing it.

‘Mystery’ canola attacker stumps scientists

Researchers have been trying to solve this ‘whodunit’ for years but so far, no one has been able to crack the case

Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s a classic ‘whodunit’ — the Case of the Confounding Canola Killer. And Alberta researchers are still scratching their heads over it 15 years later. “Since 2002, we’ve been finding this ‘mystery syndrome,’ and I don’t have a cause for it,” said provincial oilseed specialist Murray Hartman. “We get one nice flower that turns into […] Read more


In this photo of a wilt-affected plant’s stem at harvest, black microsclerotia can be seen just below the surface layer. (Gov.mb.ca/agriculture)

No point in quarantine for verticillium wilt, CFIA says

Slapping federal quarantines on canola fields with verticillium wilt wouldn’t serve much purpose, since the yield-robbing fungi is already in all of Canada’s major canola-growing areas, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says. While the agency itself is recommending against regulation, CFIA on Wednesday posted a draft of a risk management document on verticillium wilt, seeking […] Read more

It starts on the farm, but the economic benefits of canola production spread throughout the Canadian economy.

Canola ripples felt widely through the Alberta and Canadian economies

The crop now contributes $26.7 billion a year to the Canadian economy, 
with a quarter of that in Alberta

Reading Time: 2 minutes Like a rock thrown in a lake creates ripples on shore, a new study shows the canola sector’s impact is growing large, causing ripples to turn to waves. Canola’s contribution to the Canadian economy has tripled over the past decade to $26.7 billion a year, according to an independent analysis done for the Canola Council […] Read more


Top-quality canola is fetching good prices, but many producers are finding that damaged is heavily discounted.

Record-high canola crush is good news — but only for some growers

Growers can only hope discounts for damaged canola are reduced as supply dwindles

Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta’s canola crush plants may be running at a record-high pace this year — but that only really benefits farmers who are close to those facilities, says a farmer northeast of Edmonton. “We’ve got it in the bins, but we’ve got no place to haul it,” said Doug Scott, whose closest crush plant is in […] Read more

Handy calculators for canola seeding

Handy calculators for canola seeding

Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canola Council of Canada has two new smartphone-friendly calculators — one for seeding rate and another for a target plant stand. The target plant stand calculator has several criteria that you select for your farm: Uniformity of the stand you expect on your farm, early-season frost risk, expected weed and pest situation, and length […] Read more



Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrive at a news conference on Parliament Hill 
in September.

Free trade deal with China worth billions, says canola council

Deal could up canola oil, seed, and meal sales to China by $1.2 billion a year and 
create 33,000 new jobs, says organization

Reading Time: 2 minutes The canola sector is welcoming Ottawa’s move to begin discussions on a free trade agreement with China. A free trade deal with China could create 33,000 additional jobs in Canada from increased exports of canola alone, said the Canola Council of Canada, which commissioned an independent analysis on that subject. “Freer trade with China would […] Read more


(Cia.gov)

Ag groups tout potential of trade pact with China

Canadian ag commodity groups expect to make a case for freer trade with China during consultations now underway alongside Ottawa’s talks on a possible free trade deal with Beijing. Federal Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Friday announced public consultations, running until June 2, following last September’s announcement of “exploratory discussions” on a free trade agreement […] Read more

There’s solid global demand for canola and good-quality wheat

There’s solid global demand for canola and good-quality wheat

Lock in canola basis at seeding and keep an eye on the American wheat harvest, advises market analyst

Reading Time: 2 minutes Increasing demand for canola means opportunities for growers, says market analyst Chuck Penner. “Even if canola supply is flat — consumption, crush and exports are up,” Penner said. “That’s a bullish situation.” Japan was the biggest importer of Canadian canola this year, even though China has been the dominant market the past few years, he […] Read more