The canola industry is focused on the future. We know that we must not only increase yield, we must also be a partner in achieving society’s environmental goals. That’s why we have set bold environmental sustainability goals to accompany our 2025 production goals:
Increased production per acre can have trickle-down benefits for the farm economy and for the environment, as long as those higher yields are achieved through greater efficiency of inputs and care for the land.
A uniform early-established canola stand of six to eight plants per square foot can reduce pest management costs, allow for earlier harvest and improve yield compared to thinner, later and uneven stands.
Applying enough fertilizer to maximize profit potential and taking steps to reducing nutrient losses will improve canola yield per tonne of fertilizer applied. This will have a positive effect for both economic and environmental sustainability
The Canola Council of Canada’s sustainability targets include a goal to have 90 per cent of canola production acres under 4R Nutrient Stewardship by 2025. [Editor’s note: This was originally set at 50 per cent, and the original print version of this article uses the 50 per cent number.]