Canola Research in Michigan.

Michigan Canola Program Canola could be an important crop to help Michigan diversify its agriculture, complement its cropping systems, and maintain a vibrant rural sector. Canola has tremendous potential to have an impact on our economic, health, environment and agricultural systems. Some of canola’s many attributes are: - High yield potential for farmers (over 3000 lbs/acre) - Value-added products for rural economic activity - Attractive niche market opportunities (organic/specialty oil) for non-GMO - Excellent soil building properties - Flexibility in planting and an excellent winter ground cover - Early cash flow - Lowest saturated fat of vegetable oils (7%) - Second highest percentage monounsaturated fats (61%) - Highest level of alpha-linolenic (omega-3) acid (11%) - Environmentally friendly bio-based oils and fuels (carbon sequestration) In Michigan and generally, winter canola cultivars have a substantial yield advantage (>30%) over the spring types (Copeland, 2001). This was true in the early 2000’s, but may not be true with the recent development of spring hybrid canola. Most of the winter canola cultivars grown in Michigan come from breeding programs in Europe and Kansas (Rife et al. 2000 and 2001). Since the winters are different in Kansas (dry cold) and Europe (milder) than in Michigan (dry and wet cold), appropriate cultivars for Michigan conditions are needed (Steponkus, 1978). The wet-cold winterkill that is experienced in Michigan is an important constraint to the adoption of the current winter canola cultivars. Many years Michigan has had winterkill averages of over 70% (due to cold temperatures and low snow cover).