Farm Director, KC Sheperd, had the chance to catch up with Oklahoma State University Extension Area Agronomist Specialist Josh Bushong about growing canola in Oklahoma.
Bushong said 10 to 20 thousand acres of Canola could be planted in Oklahoma this year. In Oklahoma, Bushong said canola makes a great wheat management tool and does well in crop rotation.
“We have seen anywhere from a five to 20 percent increase in wheat yield, 20 to 25 percent more wheat forage following those canola crops, so it is kind of a game changer for someone who has always been continuous wheat,” Bushong said.
Because in Oklahoma, winter canola is grown, Bushong said the harvest is earlier than up north, where the bulk of canola is grown in the U.S.
“We usually get the best price at harvest, but when we are looking at it to decide whether or not we want to plant this fall… the price is at its lowest,” Bushong said.
As Bushong has been working with canola for the past 20 years, he talked to Sheperd about lessons he has learned and management tips for producers.
The interest is there for canola in Oklahoma, Bushong said, and as long as the price is there, it may be worth considering.
“Some guys are still growing it as a change for a cover crop, to maybe be a cash crop if it does produce something,” Bushong said.
There are a few meetings coming up regarding canola, Bushong said, across the state for producers interested in learning more about the benefits of this crop.
Informational meetings to be held on Aug. 9 in Oklahoma and Kansas
The recent announcement that the grain processing company Scoular will reopen its oilseed crushing plant in Goodland, Kansas, renewed producer interest in winter canola and has increased demand for opportunities to learn more about the crop.
To set the stage for the upcoming growing season, Oklahoma State University and Kansas State University Research and Extension and industry partners are joining forces to enable producers to be successful.
KSU canola breeder Mike Stamm said timing is critical for canola planting.
“Producers who are planning to grow winter canola know when Sept. 1 rolls around, they need to be ready,” Stamm said. “We want to provide the tools necessary for them to be successful.”
Ron Sholar with the Great Plains Canola Association said the association, Scoular and Bayer will co-sponsor the canola meetings for both new and experienced growers. The meetings are scheduled for Aug. 9 in Enid, Oklahoma, and Wichita, Kansas.
Specialists from OSU and KSU Research and Extension will share their experiences working with the crop. Attendees will hear a refresher on common canola production practices and receive updates on variety development and availability. Scoular will provide an update on their marketing and pricing strategies and share delivery point options across the region.
“Anyone thinking about growing canola this fall will benefit greatly from attending this meeting,” said Josh Bushong, OSU agronomist and canola and oilseed production specialist.
The meetings are free to attend, but reservations are encouraged because a meal will be provided. The meetings are as follows:
• 10 a.m. Aug. 9: at the Hoover Building, 300 E Oxford Ave, in Enid, Oklahoma. RSVP to Ron Sholar at 405-780-0113 or jrsholar@aol.com or to Josh Bushong at 405-361-6941 or josh.bushong@okstate.edu
• 5: 30 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Sedgwick County Extension Office, Sunflower Room, 7001 W 21st St., in Wichita, Kansas. RSVP to the Sedgwick County Extension Office at 316-660-0100 or to Jeff Seiler at jseiler4@ksu.edu.
