Accomplishments

Though a relatively new organization, we have made a lot of strides to support growing canola crops in the Pacific Northwest. 

Workshops

Canola Production and PNWCA Informational Presentations:

  • Columbia Valley Daybreak Rotary Club, Kennewick, WA
  • Montana University System Research Roundup, Lewistown, MT
  • Washington State University Oilseed Workshops, Wilbur and Clarkston, WA
  • Winfield United winter canola tours, Hardin and Ft. Benton, MT

Field Tours:

  • Winter Canola Tour, Almira, WA
  • Spring Canola Tour, Sweet Grass Hills, MT

A ballot proposing a 1% checkoff for canola, flaxseed, mustard, safflower, soybeans, and sunflower crops narrowly missed passing as of Jan. 4, 2021.  The Montana Oilseed Advisory Committee will reconvene in late January to modify the proposal before another ballot is sent to MT oilseed producers. 

When a checkoff proposal is passed, the Montana Oilseed Advisory Committee will advise the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) on how to invest the funds for research, market development, and education.  The funds are generated from a small assessment from every pound of the above oilseed commodities sold in MT. 

Oilseed commissions are in place in Idaho and Washington state, and have provided much-needed funding for a wide range of research projects in ID, OR, and WA. 

Several producer board members and the executive director have made legislative visits in Washington D.C. to underscore continued national funding for canola research, biodiesel tax credits, and other canola-centric issues. Directors have also contacted their state’s U.S. Congress members, Governor, and Director of Agriculture urging them to include canola in the Market Facilitation Program.

The PNWCA has also submitted and/or signed on to letters to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, the USDA, ranking members of Congress, and others on matters such as:

  • Urging the USDA to provide assistance through WHIP+ or other mechanisms to growers suffering significant quality loss resulting from excessive moisture in the northern tier states.
  • Renewing biodiesel tax credits, including those for biodiesel blenders. Canola can be a feedstock for biodiesel.
  • Commenting to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service about the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
  • Urging Congress to ratify and pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
  • Reauthorizing of the Grain Standards Act

Future efforts will include establishing and improving winter and spring canola insurance policies and assisting with crop protection product registration.

The PNWCA is collaborating with MT State University, University of Idaho, Washington State University, and the canola industry to gain registration for a grass herbicide with a different mode of action for canola.

Growing the Canola Industry in the Pacific Northwest Through Education, Advocacy, and Marketing