6 Reasons You Should Grow Winter Canola

Planting winter canola helps you maximize productivity across your farm operation. Including winter canola in a double-cropping rotation can increase revenue and give you access to another market. Bringing winter canola into your production helps you diversify your income sources.

When you sign on to join the Certified Winter Canola Program, you’re entering a contract with Pioneer and Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables to purchase the harvested crop so it can potentially be used to produce renewable fuel. Plus, there’s no need to worry about storage because Bunge will take immediate delivery of all winter canola production once the crop is harvested.

Planting Pioneer^® brand winter canola hybrids provides a cover crop that holds more nutrients, water, and carbon in the earth, boosting soil health. Plus, the brassica root system of winter canola helps break up compacted soil. The plant-based oil produced by Pioneer brand winter canola hybrids features a lower-carbon profile, and the hybrids produce more oil than a traditional canola plant. That means you’re making more productive use of your fields and helping to reduce carbon emissions while you’re at it — making you a better steward of the land and your community.

When a crop like canola is added to the rotation, research has shown that the other crops in the rotation generally yield better and pest pressures are generally reduced. Planting winter canola has the potential to not only generate additional income for your farm, but to boost the output of your spring and summer crops.

Demand for renewable biofuels derived from agricultural crops is steadily increasing, driven by regulatory requirements and government incentives. Corn and soybeans have played a vital role, but as the demand continues to increase, new agricultural feedstocks are needed. By planting winter canola, you can help increase the availability of high-demand vegetable oil feedstocks.

To take advantage of the Certified Winter Canola Program, farmers need to certify their operation with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC). Certified participating operations can access the renewable fuels market along with the premiums recognized for their renewable crop.

Pioneer^® brand winter canola hybrids have been specially formulated to be planted as a new double-cropping system. Pioneer combined industry-leading research with elite genetics to deliver superior disease resistance, winter hardiness, and high oil content. So you can be confident that crops will perform in a variety of growing conditions.

Farmers stand to gain a lot from growing winter canola. It’s a crop with a high yield potential. And the fact that it's used as a feedstock to produce renewable diesel, biodiesel, and sustainable aviation fuel means that farmers are playing a critical role in domestic fuel production. Plus, when winter canola is added to your rotation it can benefit the entire cropping system. This is the perfect day to give winter canola a try.