U.S. Canola Digest Jan/Feb 2014

January • February 2014

The official publication of the U.S. Canola Association and Northern Canola Growers Association

Precision Decisions Extra Virgin Oil Makes U.S. Debut Crop Insurance Revisited

LEVELING OFF TRANS FAT Likely FDA Ban Good for Canola

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 433 BISMARCK, ND

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In trials conducted by NDSU, Minnesota Canola Council and Agro-Tech in 2010 and 2011, 6070 out-yielded the trial average by 15%1. Be sure to order your 6070 RR early and get its raw yielding power on your farm next year.

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120%

115%2 100%

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 6070 RR

Trial

Source: North Dakota State University (NDSU), Minnesota Canola Council, and Agro-Tech small plot trials 2010 and 2011.

2

BIODIESEL-FUELED JET CAR BrettYoung is a trademark of BrettYoung Seeds Limited.

Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. This product has been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization. Always read and follow pesticide label directions. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Genuity Design®, Genuity Icons, Genuity®, Roundup Ready®, and Roundup® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. 13024 09.13 1 Source: North Dakota State University (NDSU), Minnesota Canola Council, and AgroTech small plot trials 2010 and 2011. AgroTech is a private research company with its trials located in Velva, ND.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2014 VOL. 9, NO. 1

WWW.USCANOLA.COM EXECUTIVE EDITOR Angela Dansby angela@uscanola.com

features

MANAGING EDITOR Alison Neumer Lara alison@uscanola.com

8

A Day in the Life of PCOM

ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR Brittany Farb brittany@uscanola.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jack Brown, Ph.D.; Barry Coleman; Sheri Coleman, B.S.N., R.N.; Jim Davis; Jon Dockter; Ron Sholar; Dale Thorenson; Jay Whetter; Brandon Willis; and Megan Wingerson PUBLISHERS Barry Coleman coleman@ndpci.com

Exclusive Peek Inside Canola Crush Plant

12

Precision Decisions 8

13

John Gordley john@uscanola.com

RMA Responds to Grower Concerns

SALES REPRESENTATIVE Mary O’Donohue modonohue@gordley.com

New Options Better Mitigate Risk

14

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Melissa Rosenquist melissa.rosenquist@gmail.com PUBLISHED BY U.S. Canola Association 600 Pennsylvania, SE, Suite 320 Washington, DC 20003 tel: 202.969.8113 • fax: 202.969.7036 www.uscanola.com

Agriculture Moves to Cloud and Data Management

High-Oleic Canola Oil Part of Trans Fat Solution to Healthier Hearts for Americans FDA Move to Ban Partially Hydrogenated Oils Good for Canola Industry

16

Northern Canola Growers Association 2718 Gateway Ave, #301 Bismarck, ND 58503 tel: 701.223.4124 • fax: 701.223.4130 www.northerncanola.com

16

‘EVCO’ Coming to America Canada’s Extra Virgin Canola Oil to Target U.S. Food Service

REGIONAL AFFILIATES Great Lakes Canola Association www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/canola

18

Great Plains Canola Association www.greatplainscanola.com

Canola Growers Predict High Yields Nationwide in 2014

New Year, New Goals

Minnesota Canola Council www.mncanola.org

20

Is Your Canola Cool?

Avoid Top 10 Pitfalls of Risky Storage U.S. Canola Digest is published four times a year in January/February, March/April, September/October and November/December by the U.S. Canola Association (USCA) and Northern Canola Growers Association (NCGA). Subscription is complementary to all USCA and NCGA members and other qualified members of the U.S. canola industry. Reproduction of contents is forbidden. Copyright 2014.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Northern Canola Growers Association, 2718 Gateway Ave., #301, Bismarck, ND 58503.

20 on the cover An expected U.S. Food and Drug Administration “ban” on partially hydrogenated oils–the primary source of artificial trans fat in the U.S.–could lead to a higher demand for high-oleic canola oil.

departments 4 6 10 22

Editors’ Letter USCA Update NCGA News GPCA News

23 24 25 26

PNW News MCC News Quick Bytes Canola Cooks

editors’ letter

2014: ‘Extra Virgin’ and Trans Fat-Free FROM NEW PRODUCTS to new regulations, this issue of U.S. Canola Digest takes a long view into the exciting year ahead for our favorite Brassica crop. Read up on regional news and industry analysis as well as perspectives from growers and the latest from Capitol Hill. Precision agriculture?

Seed storage? Crop insurance? We’ve got you covered there, too.

Lessons Learned

EVCO Crosses the Border

Resource Investment

With the help of Bunge North America, Canada’s Pristine Gourmet is bringing its “extra virgin,” cold-pressed canola oil to the U.S. early this year.

Sales of the oil will be limited to food service customers for the first year.

President Jason Persall discusses his product’s American debut on page 16.

Trans Fat Solution

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s proposal to virtually eliminate partially hydrogenated oils, the primary source of artificial trans fat, has pushed healthier options such as high-oleic canola oil into the spotlight. This specialty oil offers food processors higher heat tolerance and stability than other vegetable oils. To read more about the canola industry’s solution to trans fat,turn to page 14.

Another year, another crop. Growers from around the country share their successes and mistakes as they prepare to get seed in the ground and do it all over again. Spoiler alert: The outlook is a good one across the nation. Learn from their stories on page 18.

Precision Decisions

GPS-steering is pretty cushy, but that’s the just the tip of precision agriculture. A couple of experts sketch out the next generation of technology taking hold and the future of data collection on page 12.

The state of Oklahoma has seen an exponential increase in canola planting over the past six years due to growing understanding of the crop. Producers have paired with Oklahoma State University to research crop advancements and best management practices. Find out more about their partnership on page 22.

Crop Insurance Update

Starting this crop year, Minnesota canola producers in specific counties will be able to purchase crop insurance with the trend-adjusted actual production history yield endorsement. To read about the specifics of the program, flip to page 24. This option, in addition to a specialty canola program, is available to North Dakota growers, as outlined on page 10. For a broader look, Brandon Willis, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency, reviews the canola insurance picture nationwide on page 13.

Storage Risk

PLANT TWO OR THREE VARIETIES ON YOUR FARM AND WILL REWARD YOU WITH FREE DEWALT TOOLS!

Losing crop yields to spoilage during storage is every producer’s bad dream. On page 20, learn how to best store canola while avoiding common blunders. Poor bin shapes and inaccurate moisture meters are among the biggest culprits.

Colorful Cooking

Just because the weather may be dreary during the winter does not mean mealtime has to be, as well. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are not only an easy way to boost mood, but also the immune system. The nutritious pigments in these foods are better absorbed with a healthy fat, such as canola oil. Try the recipe on page 26 to brighten up lunch or dinner.

Happy New Year!

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U.S. CANOL A DIGEST

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check us out: www.proseed.net

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2014

executive editor angela@uscanola.com

managing editor alison@uscanola.com

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usca update

The 2012 2013 2014 Farm Bill Last-Minute Scramble Might Have Had Success DALE THORENSON

Procrastination. Most of us fall victim to it from time to time. But those who routinely practice this habitual imperfection tend to get caught short more often than not. Decisions left to the last possible moment leaves insufficient time for final details to be worked out. This is especially true if everyday circumstances also decide not to cooperate.

Such was the case with Congress and the Farm Bill as 2013 came to an end. The two major points of contention – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding levels and the mechanism for support in the Commodity Title – had been known for several years. But those disagreements were not resolved until Dec. 5, when a compromise framework was finally hammered out between the four principles of the farm bill conference committee – Chairs Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Members Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) – and sent to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for a cost estimate, a.k.a. “a score.”

This was great news…an agreement!

Hallelujah! Then reality set in. The House was set to adjourn Dec. 13. How on earth could the conferees get this tentative compromise framework scored, technicalities worked out, legislation drafted and sent to the House floor for a vote in just seven days? Normally, the last scheduled vote prior to an extended recess is late Thursday afternoon/evening, making the actual time slot for action even slimmer.

It takes a pretty serious issue to get between a member of Congress and Reagan National Airport on a Thursday evening prior to recess. And a farm bill vote is not even close to being on the list of likely “high priority” issues that could put the brakes on the House’s departure, even though the Senate was staying in session through Dec. 20.

So, of course, getting the farm bill ready for consideration by the House prior to its recess was not going to happen at such a late hour. And that was likely the case, even before it became known that the CBO senior analyst responsible for the

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U.S. CANOL A DIGEST

After three long years of dashed hopes, setbacks and acrimony, a farm bill might finally be passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama.

Commodity Title cost estimates had left town about the time the compromise was reached.

(The analyst had long before committed to attend a family wedding that weekend and was ultimately caught out of town for several days by a snowstorm that hit the mid-Atlantic region late that weekend through the start of the following work week.

One could surmise that this analyst should have forgone his family obligation given the possibility that an agreement might be reached.

One could also surmise that such an agreement should not have been put off until the very last minute. But after three years, staff does need to get on with their lives and not wait in a perpetual state of call for a breakthrough that had become seemingly unobtainable.)

One year earlier, Congress had remained in session through the holidays, finally passing a stop-gap fiscal cliff bill in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2013 that included a year-long extension of the 2008 Farm Bill. This year, worry mounted as time wore on that Congress was poised for a repeat since negotiations appeared to be locked in a stalemate once again.

Ultimately, the four principles finally had a score in hand on Dec. 12, a week after their breakthrough compromise agreement. However, it was much too late for legislation to be finalized and sent to the floor for a vote before the House left town. Final consideration of a farm bill by

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2014

Congress would have to be punted into 2014.

The score was cause for cautious optimism though. Fears that the Commodity Title would be too costly were put to rest when Chairman Lucas described it as “right on the money” when he emerged from the meeting with his counterparts that morning. Noting concerns about the potential for rising milk costs in January due to provisions of permanent law kicking in, he also said the House would take up an extension of the 2008 Farm Bill through Jan. 31, 2014, which the chamber passed by a voice vote later that day before adjourning for the year. While the Senate remained in session for an additional week, the Democratic leadership refused to consider a farm bill extension, insisting that a full five-year authorization was the only legislation the upper chamber would consider.

The good news was that both the House and Senate leadership agreed the intent was to get the bill finished and passed by the end of January. Conferees and their faithful staff worked through the holidays once again to prepare the legislation for final consideration by the House and Senate. So, after three long years of dashed hopes, setbacks and acrimony, a farm bill might finally be passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama. Let it be so!

DALE THORENSON IS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. CANOLA ASSOCIATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Grow With Us Support the Canola Industry by Becoming a USCA Member The U.S. Canola Association (USCA) is the only national organization representing all industry segments—including producers, processors, food manufacturers, exporters, seed and crop protection companies—with the shared goal of increasing U.S. canola acreage.

By becoming a USCA member, you’ll help influence agricultural policy and have access to the most up-to-date canola news. Join today by visiting the membership section of the USCA web site at www.uscanola.com and take this “golden” opportunity to support a promising U.S. crop.

For regular updates on what’s happening in the world of canola, sign up for a free subscription to Canola Quick Bytes, an e-newsletter covering such topics as agronomy, legislation, nutrition and biodiesel. Subscribe at www.uscanola.com.

Flaking and Heating

Prized Possessions

Prized Possessions

A Day in the Life at PCOM Exclusive Peek Inside Canola Crush Plant PHOTOS AND TEXT BY ANGELA DANSBY AND BRITTANY FARB

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U.S. CANOL A DIGEST

THE U.S. CANOLA ASSOCIATION held its annual fall board of directors meeting in Oklahoma City, Okla., Nov. 11-13, 2013.

While in town, U.S. Canola Digest staff had the opportunity to tour local canola crusher Producers Cooperative Oil Mill (PCOM) to see the behind-the-scenes action.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2014

Welcome to PCOM

Established in 1944 as a cottonseed processor by local gins and cooperatives, PCOM today serves member gins in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee. It began crushing and promoting canola in 2008 in addition to cottonseed.

Prized Possessions

U.S.-produced canola seed must be graded and meet the standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. Seed is evaluated on moisture level, seed damage, chlorophyll content and presence of foreign material.

Flaking and Heating

Canola Cakes

Canola Cakes

A Growing Footprint

Flaking and Heating

A Growing Footprint

Delivered seed is put into flakers to break the seed coat and expose the inside, known as the “meat.” Flakers comprise two sets of roller mills with the second set tighter than the first for adequate flaking. Flakes are then heated to 167-212°F in steam-heated drums or stacktype cookers to thermally rupture oil cells, reduce oil viscosity (thickness) and maximize oil extraction.

for more oil. Some of the oil extracted during this first round of crushing is sold after refinement as “cold-pressed,” “first press” or “expeller-pressed” to specialty stores at higher prices. Such oils are not typically used in food manufacturing. Cold pressing controls the temperature below 120°F. Expeller pressing does not. The remaining oil, sold as conventional product, is extracted through a chemical process.

Canola Cakes

A Growing Footprint

About 80 percent of the canola oil is extracted from the crushing process, resulting in a dense press cake that is crushed

manufacturing firms and livestock producers, respectively, “feeding” the growing demand for canola products. PCOM sells both crude and refined canola oil to food manufacturers as well as crude oil to biodiesel firms in the U.S. and Mexico.

ANGELA DANSBY AND BRITTANY FARB ARE EXECUTIVE EDITOR AND ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR OF U.S. CANOLA DIGEST, RESPECTIVELY.

PCOM has helped drive canola acreage expansion in the Great Plains as a local processor. It sells canola oil and meal to food

W W W . U S C A N O L A . CO M

U.S. CANOL A DIGEST

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regional news

CROP INSURANCE PRODUCTS FOR 2014 Farmers Pilot Trend-Adjusted Canola Option in 2013 BARRY COLEMAN

AT THE REQUEST of the Northern Canola Growers Association (NCGA) in 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) made available new crop insurance options and products for 2013. Below is a review and update of the information for growers who may wish to participate in 2014:

Specialty Canola Crop Insurance

Growers of specialty canola (high-oleic) have the option of using their contract price up to a maximum 120 percent as the price election for crop insurance purposes. The canola industry requested that the NCGA develop a product that would provide this option for specialty canola growers as the need arose for more production of specialty canola.

The RMA agreed to extend the option for growers to choose to insure all of their canola (including both high-oleic and commodity types) as if it were commodity canola, as they have in recent years, or to separate their commodity and high-oleic canola into separate insurable types. If they meet other contract requirements, high-oleic canola growers may participate in the specialty canola pilot program and insure their high-oleic production at higher contract prices. Growers are encouraged to speak with their crop insurance agent for specific details on this new option.

BARRY COLEMAN IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NORTHERN CANOLA GROWERS ASSOCIATION IN BISMARCK, N.D.

Trend-Adjusted Canola 2013 Participation Rates in North Dakota The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation’s trend-adjusted (TA) canola option, first offered in 2013, allows growers to update their actual production histories to better reflect current canola yields.

CROP ACRES

# TA POLICIES

% ACRES ELECTING TA

1,769

12,101.5

23

15%

15,744.7

81,746.2

56

19%

7,828.6

70,589.8

22

11%

Burleigh

92.8

3,999.5

1

2%

Cavalier

38,200.7

167,878.5

162

23%

Divide

124.6

12,957.5

1

1%

Grant

149.7

4,295.6

3

3%

Hettinger

7,991.9

53,085.5

27

15%

Mchenry

3,954.5

35,407.9

22

11%

Mclean

2,455.3

63,741.2

11

4%

Mercer

883.2

11,194.8

4

8%

Morton

284.6

2,177.3

2

13%

8,390.4

72,040.4

37

12%

2,751.1

14,374.9

9

19%

772.3

4,262.7

3

18%

Pembina

2,153.0

4,272.6

12

50%

Pierce

1,922.5

24,547.2

17

8%

Ramsey

10,698.7

52,100.0

71

21%

Renville

9,936.7

78,901.5

38

13%

Rolette

12,624.6

45,560.6

83

28%

COUNTY Benson Bottineau Burke

Mountrail Nelson Oliver

Sheridan

615.6

11,612.0

3

5%

Slope

502.2

8,403.8

3

6%

Stark

489.9

10,428.2

4

5%

Towner

23,130.0

85,003.4

113

27%

Walsh

2,250.1

13,626.0

9

17%

Ward

15,288.3

108,387.6

74

14%

Wells

258.5

1,190.2

3

22%

1,053,886

813

16%

Totals

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U.S. CANOL A DIGEST

ACRES ELECTING TA

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2014

171,263

7th Annual Canola Research Conference

Clubroot Detected on North Dakota Canola

THE NCGA HELD its 7th annual Canola Research Conference in Fargo, N.D., Nov. 21, 2013. The conference is an opportunity for growers and industry representatives to hear the results of NCGA-funded projects, said Jon Wert, association president.

“The Northern Canola Growers Association funds more than $250,000 in important canola research projects each year,” he noted. “This is research designed to enhance the canola industry, solve problems and create opportunities for canola growers in the U.S.”

PLANTS FROM ONE canola field in Cavalier County in northeast North Dakota showed symptoms of clubroot galls on their roots, reported North Dakota State University plant pathologists in September 2013. The identity of the disease was confirmed using DNA testing and a bioassay. Clubroot is a soil-borne disease caused by a microbe, Plasmodiophora brassicae. It affects the roots of cruciferous crops such as canola, mustard, camelina, oilseed radish and cruciferous vegetables such as arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, kale, rutabaga and turnip. Cruciferous weeds such as stinkweed, wild mustard and Shepherd’s purse can also serve as hosts.

Clubroot has been found in several areas of Canada, with Manitoba being the most recent, so it is not a surprise that it has found its way south. The good news is there is a lot known about the disease and it can be managed. The Northern Plains region also provides some advantages in being able to prevent the spread of clubroot given the higher pH of its soils and tendency to warm up earlier in the growing season. It is more difficult for clubroot to take hold when soils have a pH above 7.0.

Researchers reported on the following projects: 1) Assessment of Canola Yields Planted at Differing Salinity Levels 2) Use of Canola Oil to Stimulate Activity of Bacteria for Biological Control of Plant Disease 3) Genotype Screening and Seeding Date Influence on Winter Canola in North Dakota 4) Canola Oil and Breast Cancer Risk: Synergistic Effects with Lipotropes 5) Development of High Oil Canola Utilizing Double Haploid Breeding Technique 6) Breeding of Frost Tolerant Spring Canola in North Dakota 7) Volunteer Canola Control in Sugar Beets 8) Aster Leafhopper Control in Canola 9) Increase Canola Yields through Split Application of Nitrogen 10) Selection of Salt-Tolerant and Flood-Tolerant Canola Germplasms for North Dakota 11) Evaluation of Winter/Spring Canola Crosses in North Dakota.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LUIS DEL RIO-MENDOZA, NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY.

The NCGA reminds farmers to follow best management and disease prevention practices as they prepare for the 2014 crop year. Find further information on controlling clubroot from the Canola Council of Canada at www.clubroot.ca.

When it’s time to market your canola, give us a call. We’re Bunge, Canada’s largest canola processor. We offer convenient on-farm pick up for all IP canola contracts.

We’ve got flexible delivery options for you to choose from. Transactions are easy and we make sure you have plenty of marketing choices.

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Let’s talk. Give a Bunge grain marketing specialist a call today.

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TM Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC 11/12-19202

A new peak in contracts.

Growers can manage the disease through: • Proper equipment cleaning to reduce the movement of soil on field equipment • The use of clubroot-resistant canola varieties • Proper crop rotation – tight canola rotations do not cause clubroot but can increase the rate of spore build-up • Good weed management of cruciferous hosts

11/15/12 2:12 PM

U.S. CANOL A DIGEST

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Precision Decisions Agriculture Moves to Cloud and Data Management ALISON NEUMER LARA

TECHNOLOGY IS NOTHING new to growers, but today’s innovations are way beyond hands-free steering. Think networked machinery with cloud-based computing for real-time data all run wirelessly from a tablet. Herbicide sensors that take 40 images a second and can differentiate weed from crop.

Bluetooth-controlled planters and drills.

“This is precision agriculture 2.0,” declared Willie Vogt, a veteran journalist who reports on technology as editorial director of Farm Progress and attends farm shows worldwide.

“The yield map is almost old school and definitely old news, and the variable prescription map is becoming that way,” he noted. “We’re moving to a second generation of yield maps and precision planting tools that are pretty powerful, but now they reside in the cloud.”

Vogt cited a grower with a fleet of networked tractors he could monitor from his iPad miles away from the fields and another who ordered exactly the right amount of seed within 1.3 units.

“We’re talking precision ag with a capital ‘P,’” he said. “It’s the ability to see your operation from wherever you are because the equipment stores the data in the cloud. And that’s coming to irrigation, that’s coming to everything.”

In fact, many growers may have already bought it. U.S. agricultural machinery manufacturing is a $29 billion industry with demand driven by farm income and crop production projections. Times have been pretty good on that front, but with major federal tax breaks and incentives factored in, it’s no surprise farm machinery sales have been up, up and away.

While expected to slow down considerably this year, sales of high horsepower tractors rose 11.4 percent annually since 2006 and four-wheel drive tractor sales grew 15 percent annually over the same period, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

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U.S. CANOL A DIGEST

“We’re moving to a second generation of yield maps and precision planting tools that are pretty powerful, but now they reside in the cloud.”

The hardware, however, is all about the software. The machines and tools embedded with cutting-edge technology are both driven by data and used to collect it. The question ahead is how growers will handle all that data, said Dr. Randy Taylor, professor and extension machinery specialist at Oklahoma State University.

“What we’re getting ready for now more than anything else is data management,” he said. “The producers in the past who have benefitted most from data are the ones who have had the skill set to do data analysis or the resources to have someone else do it.

Historically, that’s not something that growers have been ready to pay for or accept and now folks are saying, ‘I see some value here.’”

That value is in the form of crop consultants who process data as well as software programs capable of making science-based recommendations. These are fee-based services, yes, but it’s about so much more than pushing buttons, Taylor continued.

“If you run you’re your farm like a Fortune 500 company, then you’re going to reinvest in making your business better, in being smarter,” he said. “You need to be taking a more intelligent approach, a more analytical approach to decision-making.”

And there’s no time to wait. Data

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2014

management is speeding ahead thanks to cloud-based technology and wireless communications, Taylor added.

“Now I don’t have to go to the combine to download my yield data,” he said. “Or if I’m working with someone who is making prescription masks, he can just send it to my tractor or my sprayer and that has made the process more streamlined.”

Amid so many innovations and advances, there’s much to sift out in the world of precision agriculture, Taylor allowed, but overall that’s the direction agriculture is headed – and quickly.

“We’re not even calling it ‘precision ag’ anymore,” he said. “It’s just the way we’re doing business now. That’s been an evolution and an adoption process.”

Still some aspects of precision agriculture have a ways to go before farmers adopt them, countered Brian Jenks, a weed scientist at North Dakota State University.

“Guys are not using it for weeding,” he said.

“The science hasn’t gotten there. The science is better for soil fertility. If a guy knows he has certain spots in a field that are low in nitrogen, he can put more on some spots and less on others. If there are some areas that are real sandy, he differs the amount of fertilizer that he’s going to apply.”

But that requires detailed maps of soil characteristics – data that’s cumbersome to collect, Jenks pointed out.

“The question is are you willing to put in the time and expense to collect that information,” he said. “With precision ag, I don’t think it’s ever going to be 100 percent or even 50 percent. There are a lot of people who are skeptical about the science and if it’s really saving them much money.

“Precision ag is great,” he added. “It’s useful. But, at the same time, you still have to be walking the fields and inspecting the fields.

You still have to get out there.”

ALISON NEUMER LARA IS MANAGING EDITOR OF U.S. CANOLA DIGEST.

RMA Responds to Grower Concerns New Options Better Mitigate Risk BRANDON WILLIS

IN ORDER TO provide the farm safety net that canola producers deserve, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has been responsive to requests from our nation’s producers to provide the coverage they need, including implementing targeted risk management protection for those who grow spring high-oleic canola.

The RMA helps producers manage their business risks through effective, market-based solutions such as through federal crop insurance programs. Risk management is about making sure farmers can put seed in the ground the year after a drought or flood; crop insurance gives growers a degree of security that helps them take a more long-term view of how and what they farm.

Federal crop insurance provides an attractive risk management tool for America’s producers, covering nearly $123 billion of

liability across all crops in 2013. Federal crop insurance provides an attractive risk management tool for America’s producers. In 2013, 1.2 million policies across all crops covered the risk for more than 295 million acres at a liability value of $123 billion.

The RMA recognizes that canola continues to be an important crop for producers in many states. Nationwide, the RMA reported approximately $412 million in protection for nearly 1.7 million acres of canola during the 2013 crop year.

The federal crop insurance program has seen significant growth in crops covered and insurable crop types over the past 10 years.

RMA has acknowledged canola’s importance with the expansion of insurance availability and counties covered.

Beginning with the 2013 crop year, the specialty insurance for spring high-oleic canola provided producers with the ability to elect yield or revenue protection for specialty canola and to insure it at a contract price if grown under contract. Canola and spring high-oleic

Nationwide, the RMA reported approximately $412 million in protection for nearly 1.7 million acres of canola during the 2013 crop year.

2014 Canola Counties Insured

canola coverage is available in Minnesota, Montana and North Dakota.

Canola yield and revenue coverage is available in many counties in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. In 2013, 80 percent of the total canola acres planted in those three states were insured. Of the total 2013 coverage in the Pacific Northwest, 76 percent is under the revenue protection plan.

Additionally, canola yield and revenue protection coverage is available in 10 Oklahoma counties where insurable acre coverage continues to rise each year. The RMA has worked to help insure producers in the remaining Oklahoma counties by written agreement. The agency insures Texas canola producers under the yield protection coverage by written agreement and it’s reviewing the feasibility of expanding coverage for counties in Oklahoma and Texas.

Canola yield and revenue coverage is available in counties in Alabama and Georgia. The RMA also insures many canola producers by a written agreement in counties acrossthese states and South Carolina. Currently, South Carolina producers can request a written agreement to insure their canola under the yield protection policy. The RMA is also considering expanding the canola insurance program there.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. Canola producers can contact a local crop insurance agent for more information about the program. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Centers or on the RMA website at www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/.

Expanding coverage and providing written agreements are just a few of the ways the RMA has worked with canola producers to build sustainable growth. The agency also worked to extend the final planting dates in some states in 2013 and will be working with producer groups to determine whether changes in the 2015 canola final planting date are warranted.

As canola becomes an increasingly important crop in more counties across the nation, crop insurance will continue to play an integral role in helping producers manage their risks.

BRANDON WILLIS IS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE’S RISK MANAGEMENT AGENC Y IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

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High-Oleic Canola Oil Part of Trans Fat Solution to Healthier Hearts for Americans FDA Move to Ban PH Oils Good for Canola Industry ANGELA DANSBY

THE CANOLA INDUSTRY offers immediate solutions to partially hydrogenated (PH) oils in the wake of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) proposal in November 2013 to practically eliminate PH oils – the primary source of artificial trans fat – in the food supply. High-oleic canola oil can replace PH oils in many applications, replacing trans fat with healthy unsaturated fats.

U.S. health authorities advise consuming as little trans fat as possible and now as little as 5-6 percent saturated fat daily in some cases.

High-oleic canola oil, with a higher percentage of monounsaturated fat (called oleic acid) than commodity canola oil (an average of 70 versus 61 percent), offers higher heat tolerance and stability than most vegetable oils – enough to replace PH oils in many applications. Exclusively available to the commercial food industry, this specialty canola oil has a longer fry life for food service operations and provides extended shelf life to food products.

It contains zero trans fat and just 7 percent saturated fat, which is classified as “low” by the FDA at just 1 gram per serving.

A fry study from the University of Lethbridge determined that high-oleic canola oil can per-

form up to 50 percent longer than other commonly used frying oils. Longer fry life results in fewer oil changes per year, reducing product and labor costs. High-oleic canola oil also provides equal or longer shelf life than products containing high saturated fat shortenings, not to mention a much healthier fat profile.

Soon after the FDA announced its proposal on Nov. 7, the scientific journals Circulation and Journal of the American College of Cardiology pre-published online new dietary recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC). They call for reducing daily saturated fat consumption to 5-6 percent – a significant decrease from 10 percent cited in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 – for those who would benefit from lowered “bad” LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). The recommendation comes from a review of all scientific literature on fat intake from 1990 to 2012.

Their primary advice for consumers: largely replace saturated fat with unsaturated fat in a diet composed of 25-35 percent total fat to lower LDL-C – a major risk factor for cardio-

Completely eliminating artifical trans fat could prevent an additional 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths annually due to heart disease.

“The use of canola oil has more than doubled in the last seven years and high-stability canola oil makes up well over half of all the canola oil used by the U.S. food industry,” said Ryan Pederson, president of the U.S. Canola Association and canola grower. “High-stability canola oil offers a trans fat solution without increasing – and in most cases, decreasing – saturated fat.”

Research Points the Way

1890s

1902

1911

1937

1957

1984

French chemist and Nobel laureate Paul Sabatier develops the hydrogenation process.

Scientist Wilhelm Normann discovers liquid oils may be partially hydrogenated (PH) to form trans fat and patents the process.

This artificial trans fat is the first man-made fat to join the food supply.

Procter & Gamble introduces Crisco vegetable shortening.

Crisco is the first of many manufactured food products containing trans fat.

World War II begins. Demand for margarine (made with PH oils) increases dramatically due to butter rationing.

The American Heart Association first proposes that reducing dietary fats, namely saturated fat found in foods like butter and beef, can reduce the chance of getting heart disease.

Consumer advocacy groups campaign against using saturated fat for frying in fast-food restaurants. In response, most fastfood companies begin using PH oils containing trans fat instead of beef tallow and tropical oils.

A History of Trans Fat

SOURCE: AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

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vascular disease.

“Given the current average intake of saturated fat at 11 percent, it would be beneficial for those who would benefit from LDL-C lowering to decrease saturated fat intake to 5-6 percent of calories,” suggested the “2013 ACC/ AHA Guideline on Lifestyle Management to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk.” The report also noted that certain U.S. subgroups may still be consuming relatively high levels of trans fat, which is a double negative because it increases LDL-C and decreases “good” HDL cholesterol.

For every 1 percent of energy from trans fat or saturated fat replaced with 1 percent energy from unsaturated fat, LDL-C is lowered by a significant 1.5-2 mg/dL and 1.3-1.8 mg/ mL, respectively, according to the report. It specifically calls for consumption of “non-tropical vegetable oils.”

Moving Away from Trans Fat

The consumption of trans fat has already declined 70 percent in the U.S. in the last 10 years, according to the Food Institute.

But completely eliminating artificial trans fat could prevent an additional 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths annually due to heart disease, noted the FDA. Naturally occurring trans fat in some meat and dairy products has not shown it has the same negative effects on cholesterol levels as industrially manufactured

trans fat, according to the AHA. “While consumption of potentially harmful artificial trans fat has declined over the last two decades in the United States, current intake remains a significant public health concern,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “The FDA’s action is an important step toward protecting more Americans from the potential dangers of trans fat.”

Demand for trans fat fell abruptly in 2006 when the U.S. government mandated trans fat labeling on food products – from 4.6 grams per day in 2003 to about 1 gram per day in 2012, according to the FDA. The food industry first started using PH oils in 1911 for their versatility and stability in shortening and other processed foods. PH oils are solid at room temperature and simulate the “mouth feel” of butter or lard. Some foods that may still contain trans fat include microwave popcorn, frozen pizza, stick margarine and coffee creamer.

“Numerous retailers and manufacturers have already demonstrated that many of these products can be made without trans fat,” the FDA stated in a Nov. 7 news release.

The agency’s preliminary determination on PH oils is expected to be finalized in early 2014, barring significant public comments to the contrary until Jan. 7. Then PH oils would be considered “food additives” and could not be used in food without FDA approval. The agency would provide adequate time for food manufacturers to reformulate products in order to minimize market disruption.

Canola oil contains zero trans fat and just 7 percent saturated fat, which is classified as “low” by the FDA at just 1 gram per serving. already helped replace more than 1 billion pounds of trans and saturated fats in the food supply since its introduction in 2006, proving that one unhealthy fat (trans) does not have to be replaced by another (saturated).”

A study published in the May 27, 2010 New England Journal of Medicine disproved speculation that food manufacturers would replace PH oils with saturated fat from butter, lard or palm oil. Harvard Medical School researchers identified 83 packaged and restaurant foods made with trans fat prior to 2007 that were later reformulated without it. Both trans and saturated fats combined were reduced in 90 percent of supermarket products and 96 percent of restaurant dishes. In the majority of products, trans fat was reduced or eliminated without increases in saturated fat. In reformulated restaurant foods, not only was trans fat largely eliminated, but saturated fat was also reduced.

Given this promising research and the availability of solutions to PH oils, such as higholeic canola oil, the U.S. is poised for an even healthier food supply and Americans for healthier hearts.

High-Oleic Canola Oil Leads Way

ANGELA DANSBY IS EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF U.S. CANOLA DIGEST.

“To respond to this need now, high-oleic canola oil is readily available to the commercial food sector,” noted Pederson. “It has

1993

1999

2002

2003

2006

2013

Following the release of several scientific studies, health advocacy groups call for fast-food restaurants to stop using PH oils in their deep fryers.

The U.S. government proposes a law requiring food manufacturers to list trans fat on nutrition labels. The proposal is not passed as law.

The government agrees with researchers for the first time on record that there is likely no safe level of trans fat and people should eat as little as possible.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules that trans fat must be listed on nutrition labels on food products.

Food manufacturers have three years to comply. Many reformulate their products to reduce or eliminate trans fat.

Trans fat labeling becomes mandatory in the United States.

New York becomes the first U.S. city to pass a regulation limiting trans fat in restaurants.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues a preliminary determination that artificial trans fat is no longer generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and calls for public comment.

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‘EVCO’ Coming to America Canada’s Extra Virgin Canola Oil to Target U.S. Food Service BRITTANY FARB

WATCH OUT EVOO, there’s a new EVCO in town.

“We didn’t choose them, they chose us,” recalled Pristine Gourmet President Jason Persall when Bunge North America approached him about introducing his “extra virgin,” cold-pressed canola oil to the U.S., which stands to give extra virgin olive oil a run for its money.

“It kind of grew from there,” added Persall, a fourth-generation farmer in Ontario, Canada.

“Working with Bunge really set the stage.

I don’t think we would get as far in terms of marketing and sales if we weren’t partnering with a company like Bunge that already captures such a large market we want to target. It’s a good fit for us.”

Bunge is one of the world’s largest oilseed crushers and produces a diverse array of food products, such as mayonnaise, margarines and bottled oils.

We’re very excited to get this in the hands of chefs and have them create new dishes that they haven’t been able to accomplish before because all they had to work with was olive oil.

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“From Bunge’s perspective, we had been looking for some new culinary oils to basically combat the presence of olive oil, which was the only game in town [in terms of specialty cooking oil],” said Bill McCullough, Bunge’s vice president of marketing, referring to mainstream, premium oils. “We literally looked at hundreds of different expeller-pressed oils and found Pristine Gourmet’s products to be head and shoulders above the rest from a flavor, quality and overall performance profile.”

After growing a successful cold-pressed oil business in Canada including canola, soy and sunflower oils, Persall will be making his American debut in partnership with Bunge in early 2014 with Pristine Gourmet’s cold-pressed canola oil. This oil is the first press (“extra virgin”) from canola seeds that is heat-controlled during extraction for maximum flavor and color.

Pristine Gourmet’s Unique Offering

Cold-pressed canola oil boasts a dark golden color and a bold, nutty flavor, differentiating it from most cooking oils, including classic canola oil, which is known for being light in texture and neutral in flavor. Although it doesn’t have as high of a smoke point as classic canola oil, extra virgin canola oil still has an estimated 380°F smoke point.

“A lot of our existing customers in Canada are used to traditional canola oil as a basic ingredient, so when you introduce extra virgin canola oil, they’re taken aback quite a bit by its full, robust flavor and color,” Persall explained.

“When you put it on a white dish, it just jumps out at you. They see it’s a whole new world of creativity to work with.”

“We’re very excited to get this in the hands of chefs and have them create new dishes that they haven’t been able to accomplish before

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2014

because all they had to work with was olive oil,” noted McCullough.

In the first year, Pristine Gourmet will be sold specifically to food service customers, ranging from white tablecloth restaurants to college cafeterias.

“It’s all about adding new flavors that resonate with consumers from Millennials to baby boomers,” McCullough added. “We feel that Pristine Gourmet really helps us reach all of our segments in the U.S. food service environment.”

Persall said Pristine Gourmet had been looking into opportunities in the U.S. market for about five years. However, due to the effort and resources required to bring the brand to America, his cold-pressed canola oil remained in Canada until recently.

“It wasn’t until we were approached from Bunge that we could see this opportunity really come to fruition,” Persall said. “I don’t

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN REYNOLDS, BUNGE.

❰ Cold-pressed canola oil boasts a dark golden color and a bold, nutty flavor, differentiating it from most cooking oils, including classic canola oil.

think we could have asked for a better partner given Bunge’s solid track record in the food service markets.”

health story that they will be perfect additions for those who have not yet transitioned to a trans fat-free product,” McCullough said.

Bountiful Benefits

A Pristine Future

With the least amount of saturated fat of all common cooking oils, canola oil has increasingly become the heart-healthy choice for consumers worldwide. However, its neutral versatility has often been the winning benefit for many chefs. With Pristine Gourmet canola oil, flavor and color are the selling points in Canada among culinary consumers. McCullough hopes for a similar reaction in the U.S. “Canola oil has a health perception in the U.S. that rivals olive oil,” he said, and now cold-pressed canola oil also challenges it with a unique flavor and color.

McCullough noted that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Nov. 7 preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated (PH) oils –the primary source of artificial trans fat in the U.S. food supply – are no longer generally recognized as safe may also help the overall canola oil market. Canola oils do not contain trans fat, making them likely solutions for PH oils.

“Our customers have been calling for solutions and the range of Pristine Gourmet products, specifically canola, have such a wonderful

Although Pristine Gourmet’s cold-pressed canola oil can be used in a variety of diverse cuisines and could have wide appeal in the retail market for consumers, Persall has not yet pursued this marketing channel.

“Retail is something we are aware of and working towards,” he said. ””It is definitely a harder game to play. You really have to understand that shelf space and how you differentiate your product from all that competition.

We really want to keep building on our reputation and brand in the food service market.”

As a premium product, cold-pressed canola oil does command a higher price than classic canola or other mainstream oils. Market research will determine if consumers are willing to pay it. Meanwhile, U.S. restaurateurs seem ready to do so.

That said, Pristine Gourmet’s future appears as bright as the oil itself. Look out for the golden, nutty cold-pressed canola oil in restaurants and other food service venues in 2014.

BRITTANY FARB IS ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR OF U.S. CANOLA DIGEST.

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New Year, New Goals Canola Growers Predict High Yields Nationwide in 2014 BRITTANY FARB

always end up dealing you what she wants.

Challenges on the farm almost always stem from weather. Yes, there are some insects like flea beetles to worry about, but generally, if we get the right weather, we get a good crop.

IT’S TIME TO ring in the New Year! Last year was excellent for U.S. canola growers overall, but as farmers know all too well, there is no rest for the weary when it comes to maintaining high yields. U.S. Canola Digest spoke with four growers across the nation about their expectations for 2014, lessons learned from 2013 and advice for new growers.

CURTIS HENNINGS started growing winter industrial rapeseed in 1984 before switching over to canola. Currently, he plants several canola varieties on about 450 acres on his farm in Adams County, Wash.

ROB RYNNING first started growing canola with his brother 20 years ago on his 4,000acre farm in Kennedy, Minn. to address disease issues that he was having with spring wheat.

VAN SCHUERMANN planted his first canola variety six years ago on his 1,800-acre farm in Enid, Okla. Since then, he has served as a mentor to several growers in the region.

KEVIN WASLASKI began planning canola in 1995 with only 28 acres on his Langdon, N.D. farm. Today, he seeds about 2,000 acres.

FARB: What are your yield expectations for 2014?

HENNINGS: On the farm and in the Pacific Northwest region as a whole, I expect good yields once again in 2014. Acres are up considerably and I expect that to keep going.

RYNNING: We expanded our canola acreage by 30 percent (about 80 acres) last year. Yields were exceptional and we plan to keep the same acreage in 2014. We are also going into a moisture situation this year that’s just about perfect for planting.

SCHUERMANN: We have expectations of

around 30 bushels per acre, which is down 10 acres from 2013. This is due to problems with our stands in late-September as a result of unusually heavy rain.

WASLASKI: With new canola varieties, I

expect our yield curve to keep going up and acres will grow. I think we will be lucky to maintain last year’s yields – it will be a challenge to beat them.

FARB: What lessons did you learn in 2013?

HENNINGS: The biggest mistake I saw in 2013 was growers tending to their ground too much, which resulted in a poor seed bed.

RYNNING: There are things you can do to manage the fields, but Mother Nature will

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FARB: What advice do you have for new growers in your region?

SCHUERMANN: Winter canola with injury isn’t necessarily dead. If it’s still green, it’s still healthy.

WASLASKI: I could answer this with a

question: What will Mother Nature throw at us this year? I expect at some time in the 2014 growing season we will get unfavorable weather. We learned in 2013 how to deal with the weather a little better through better planning and adjusted planting dates.

HENNINGS: Always know your chemical history. Conduct a detailed soil test for fertilizer for macro- and micronutrients. Even experienced growers struggle to keep up with this. Additionally, the most important input you can put in is your footprint. You must be out there working in the field and attentively looking at what’s going on. It important to pay attention and not just rely on driving by sitting in a truck.

RYNNING: Take advantage of the region’s

experienced growers a nd resources.

Attend grower meetings at the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University.

SCHUERMANN: Always scout for insects and use herbicides and insecticides. There are a lot of first time growers in Oklahoma and Kansas and, luckily, they have really done their homework by observing the more experienced regional growers.

WASLASKI: You can raise a pretty nice

canola crop seeding into the late planting period. Broadcasting is an option but I would recommend getting it packed in as fast as you are able. Also, don’t give up on thin stands – canola has a way of branching out and filling in the thin stands.

BRITTANY FARB IS ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR OF U.S. CANOLA DIGEST.

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Is Your Canola Cool?

Avoid Top 10 Pitfalls of Risky Storage JAY WHETTER

THE LONGER CANOLA stays in storage, the greater the risk of it spoiling – especially if the canola was not on aeration – also many bins are not ideally suited to canola. To ensure canola cools to a safe storage level, keep an eye on these top 10 situations that increase storage risk.

1. Can’t remember what’s in the bin.

3 . I n accu rate m oi stu re m ete r.

It helps to keep a composite sample for each bin of canola along with the average moisture and grain temperature of the seed as it went into the bin. Use this information and a visual assessment of green count and dockage in the sample to see which bins may be at higher risk.

Calibrate the moisture meter each year to make sure it’s accurate. Check a few samples at home and at the elevator to see that you’re getting the same result. If your moisture meter says 9.5 percent while the elevator says 10 percent, the difference could be significant for safe long-term storage.

2. No cables. Bins with monitoring cables make it easy to keep tabs on temperature. Some also record moisture. Bins without

is in a ring on the ground, check that seals on the top and bottom are keeping out moisture.

Grain bags can provide very good storage, but they are generally considered a short-term solution for canola.

cables will need to be probed or turned over with a truck and auger to check temperature.

Even with cables, monitoring is still highly recommended. For more on probing bins, go to www.realagriculture.com and search for “Canola School: The how and why of monitoring bin temperature and moisture.”

Canola seed continues to sweat during the first four to six weeks after harvest, making that a critical period to move air through the bin and remove moisture.

4. Sub-par bin space. With a bumper harvest, bin space is at a premium. If canola

5. Larger bins. Bigger bins usually have greater compaction and tall, narrow bins have the most. More compaction means reduced airflow. Note that canola has greater density than cereals to begin with, therefore, it needs more fan horsepower to do a proper aeration job.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGELA DANSBY.

6. Dockage. Insect bodies, plant material and weed seeds tend to contain more moisture than canola seeds. High-moisture dockage of any type may not be enough to elevate overall grain moisture tests, but if dockage congregates in pockets in the bin, it can create localized hot spots for spoilage to begin. Keep in mind that grain with no dockage can also be at risk.

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7. Green canola seeds. They can increase storage risk, even if canola is dry and cool.

One grower reported receiving $1 per bushel for 4,000 bushels of heated canola. The canola With a bumper harvest, bin space is at a premium and not all bins are ideally suited to canola. These may be the bins you want to move first, especially if they’re in small yards that may be hard to access in the snow.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CANOLA DIGEST. PHOTO COURTESY OF CANOLA DIGEST.

Bins with monitoring cables make it easy to keep tabs on temperature.

Some also record moisture.

was dry and not excessively warm when it went in, so the grower thought the canola was safe.

But green counts were 10 percent or higher.

8. Damp or tough canola. The seed is considered “dry” at 10 percent moisture, but 8 percent is safer for long-term storage.

Anything above 10 percent should be dried.

Keep in mind that a bin’s average moisture might be dry, but a couple tough loads could have gone in or small areas within each load may have been harvested from weedy slough patches, leading to higher moisture and dockage. These small pockets of moist grain and dockage could create a start point for heating.

9. Hot canola. Canola binned hot, even if it has low moisture, low dockage and low green count, should still be put on aeration.

Target a core temperature of 59 °F at harvest time and watch throughout the winter to make sure it doesn’t start to increase. A wide temperature differential between hot grain inside the bin and cold winter air outside sets up strong convection patterns in the bin.

Moisture will be moving and concentrating at the top of the top middle core of the bin.

If you suspect a bin is at risk of spoilage, move the grain from one bin to another. This gives you a chance to feel or smell it for spoilage and moving canola in winter will cool down any areas that may have started to heat.

10. Neglected bins. Canola seed continues to sweat during the first four to six weeks after harvest, making that a critical period to move air through the bin and remove moisture. It cannot always wait until after harvest. Canola can jump from 86 °F to 122 °F and beyond in two weeks or less. Winter is a good time to go back and check each bin again to make sure all is stable.

For more on this topic, including aeration and drying tips and videos on storage best practices, see the “storage management”

chapter in the Canola Encyclopedia at www.canolacouncil.org/canola-encyclopedia/.

JAY WHETTER IS EDITOR OF CANOLA DIGEST AND CANOLA WATCH AT THE CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA IN WINNIPEG, MANITOBA. ARTICLE REPRINTED COURTESY OF CANOLA DIGEST.

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regional news

Oklahoma Canola Growers Invest in Resources Research and Extension Programs Boost State’s Canola Future RON SHOLAR

LI K E FA R M ER S E V ERY WH ER E , Oklahoma’s canola producers face many challenges from nature as they grow and market their crop. While they can’t do much about the weather, they can focus on learning to manage it through research and education.

Since an initial planting of only 42,000 acres of canola in 2008, the state’s canola producers have come to understand much more about the crop, including its potential for producing good net returns per acre and improving wheat yields when grown in rotation with canola. That knowledge has led to an exponential increase in canola planting in Oklahoma – from that first small crop six years ago to more than a quarter million acres in 2013.

Grower support is critical to research and outreach programs, especially during a time of shrinking state and federal government budgets. Each year, the Oklahoma Oilseed Commission provides more than half of the check-off funds contributed by growers through oilseed sales to support research and extension programs at Oklahoma State University (OSU). In fact, in the past two years, OSU received more than $100,000 of these funds.

The Oklahoma Oilseed Commission is comprised of five farmer members who administer oilseed check-off funds to support research, promotional and educational programs. Members work in a cooperating partnership with OSU faculty and staff to determine the most critically needed areas of scientific inquiry. Together they identify priorities, set goals, and design and implement research projects.

“Grower-provided funding helps leverage state and federal funds for research,” said Dr.

Partnerships between producers and their university are effective in making real contributions to enhancing the state’s economy and reducing food costs for consumers.

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Dave Porter, head of OSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. “With ever-tightening state and federal budgets, support dollars from groups such as the Oklahoma Oilseed Commission are critically important to research efforts that develop the advances in crops and best management practices necessary for producers to prosper in a business climate that allows for little or no margin of error.”

Treasurer-Secretary Alan Mindemann said that the commission is committed to keeping its check-off program “effective, efficient and farmer-driven.”

“When we evaluate project proposals, we focus on how the research is likely to benefit the bottom line for oilseed producers,” he said.

“We want to be as certain as possible that we are investing growers’ check-off dollars in research that addresses high-priority, production-related challenges.”

“Growers understand that they need the information that comes from the objective and timely research conducted by their land grant university,” added Dr. Jonathan Edelson, interim associate director of the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. “But the benefits don’t end there. Partnerships between producers and their university are effective in making real contributions to enhancing the state’s economy and reducing food costs for consumers.”

As Oklahoma’s canola industry expands, growers should continue to invest in their own prosperity by supporting research and extension programs that provide critical knowledge to produce the crop.

RON SHOLAR IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GREAT PLAINS CANOLA ASSOCIATION IN STILLWATER, OKLA.

regional news

University of Idaho Canola Breeders Take Long View New Winter and Spring Varieties to Grow Region JACK BROWN, PH.D., JIM DAVIS AND MEGAN WINGERSON

SPRING AND WINTER variety development, genomic and agronomic studies, and a regional variety trial have kept canola researchers at the University of Idaho (UI) busy this past year. The latter in northern Idaho, eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon included conventionally tilled and direct seeded dryland sites as well as irrigated sites.

Planting dates in particular were examined.

Planting Dates and Winter Hardiness

Researchers continue to examine early planting dates for winter canola to allow growers to take advantage of soil moisture available in the mid-summer for crop establishment. An early-planted, multiple year variety trial with 40 entries is being conducted to evaluate how well available cultivars are adapted to early planting. Early- and mid-summer planting dates can result in early bolting in some winter cultivars with significant spring parentage, which has a strong negative impact on winter hardiness. Some cultivars that don’t bolt produce somewhat elongated stems, which also appear to reduce winter survival in extreme conditions. The goal is to identify which cultivars are most suited to this regime.

Researchers found that even when earlyplanted winter canola plants remain prostrate, moisture stress and increased insect feeding – especially by aphids and flea beetles – can be observed and lead to reduced winter survival if the crop does not have an adequate period in the fall to recover and harden for the upcoming winter. To help understand these interactions, insect control and planting date by seeding rate studies are entering their third years.

In addition, a fertilizer timing study was initiated last summer to see if changing the time

of application and ratio of fertilizer applied at planting in the late fall or spring will affect winter survival.

Canolage

Former UI graduate students Clark Neely and Chelsea Walsh completed studies examining the feasibility of harvesting early planted winter canola for forage in the establishment year and then harvesting a seed crop the following year. Both found that canola produces a high quality feed if ensilaged as “canolage” and can be intercropped with a spring cereal to increase fiber content. Under the right moisture regime or with supplemental irrigation, the concept appears to be workable.

New Seed Varieties

After nearly 20 years of regional variety trials, UI researchers have seen a large improvement in the performance of both spring and winter canola cultivars. Some of this can be attributed to better weed and insect control, using improved seed treatments and new foliar chemistries, but improvement is also due to the development of new cultivars that are more productive and better adapted to the Pacific Northwest. With this in mind, and at the urging of the Idaho Oilseed Commission (IOC),

UI started a new agronomic study funded by the IOC with spring and winter canola to determine if production practices can be modified to take better advantage of these new cultivars, optimize inputs and increase profitability. The study, conducted by graduate student Katie Reed, includes different planting dates, fertilizer and seeding rates and weed control regimes. She is also conducting a survey of regional canola growers to better understand current commercial practices.

UI graduate student Pedee Ewing is examining canola and mustard family oilseed crops for potential in stressful environments to produce edible or industrial oils that can be used for jet fuel and other uses. He is also overseeing many canola breeding lines that are part of a large genomic study in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service.

Finally, the UI research group oversaw the production of foundation seed for two new spring canola cultivars, tentatively named ‘Cara’ and ‘Idaho Zephyr,’ and several new condiment mustard cultivars. Both new spring canola cultivars are non-biotech varieties and ‘Cara’ carries imidazolinone herbicide resistance to help growers deal with carryover and drift issues. The varieties should fit well into the emerging market for non-biotech canola oil. Early generation winter canola breeding lines and a new spring canola crop planted in the UI greenhouse last fall will keep researchers occupied with evaluation and selection for several years.

JACK BROWN, PH.D., IS PROFESSOR OF PLANT BREEDING AND GENETICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO. JIM DAVIS AND MEGAN WINGERSON ARE UI CANOLA AND MUSTARD BREEDING RESEARCH SCIENTISTS.

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regional news

Calculating for Trend-Adjusted Canola New Crop Insurance Option for Minnesota Canola Producers JON DOCKTER

BEGINNING WITH THE 2014 crop year, Minnesota canola producers in Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington and Roseau counties will have the option to purchase crop insurance with the trend-adjusted actual production history (TA-APH) yield endorsement.

First introduced for North Dakota’s 2013 crop, the TA-APH yield endorsement is available for spring canola and allows farmers to increase yields used in calculating crop insurance guarantees. These yields more accurately reflect actual production. In addition, the TA-APH yield endorsement eliminates penalties for long yield histories as yields in the past are updated

to reflect current yields. Based on these incentives, the Minnesota Canola Council expects the majority of farmers will find the TA-APH yield endorsement an attractive option.

Currently, yield and revenue guarantees are calculated with an APH yield only, which is based on a minimum of four years of historical yields from the insured. The APH yield may be calculated with up to 10 years of yields, however, it is based on the most recent years.

In crops with increasing yields over time, the APH yield lags the true “expected” or most likely yield for the coming insurance year, which means guarantees also lag. The TA-APH

endorsement corrects this issue by allowing a trend adjustment to be added to the APH yield.

The resulting TA-APH yield is used to calculate a more accurate guarantee value. To be eligible for the TA-APH yield, a farmer must have at least one actual yield in the last four years, not simply a transitional yield.

Growers are encouraged to speak with their crop insurance agents on specifics of this program.

JON DOCKTER IS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE MINNESOTA CANOLA COUNCIL IN ST. PAUL, MINN.

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Dynastie, Dimension, Hornet, Edimax CL, Flash , Inspiration, Safran, Sitro, Visby, Baldur, 30522C7, 30120B6

quick bytes

capitol hill Congress adjourned for 2013 without a farm bill agreement, punting final consideration of the policy to 2014, but the outcome was cause for cautious optimism. Fears that the commodity title would be too costly were put to rest when House Agriculture Committee Chair Frank Lucas described it as “right on the money.” To avoid rising milk costs in January and other provisions of permanent law taking effect in the absence of a farm bill, the House passed an extension of the 2008 Farm Bill through Jan. 31.

On Nov. 14, the U.S. Food and D ru g Ad mi nis t rat i o n (FDA) announced a preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated (PH) oils – the primary source of trans fat – are no longer “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). Trans fat is damaging because it increases “bad” LDL cholesterol and lowers “good” HDL cholesterol. If the FDA’s preliminary determination is finalized, PH oils will be classified as food additives that cannot be legally sold without FDA approval, a decision expected to eliminate most artificial trans fat from the U.S. food supply. The consumption of trans fat has declined in recent years through the use of alternatives such as canola oil and high-stability canola oil.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and A griculture is accepting applications for its Fellowships Grant Program. The fellowships seek to develop “technical and academic competence of doctoral candidates and the research independence and teaching competencies of

postdoctoral students in the food, forestry and agricultural sciences.” Study areas include plant health and production and plant products; food safety, nutrition and health; renewable energy, natural resources and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities.

agronomy The Oklahoman reported that the FDA’s future trans fat ban is good news for Oklahoma’s canola farmers. According to Ron Sholar, executive director of the Great Plains Canola Association, as products containing trans fat are phased out, the demand for canola oil is likely to increase.

“We do expect that to be good news for canola growers in the state,” he said.

nutrition Prevention, Science Daily and L ATimes.com reported that oils high in omega-6 and low in omega-3 fats may not be as healthy as once thought. A Canadian Medical Association study indicated while oils such as corn and safflower lower cholesterol, they may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Canola oil has a better balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fats, making it a healthier option.

oil for alternative uses The American Chemical Society revealed an alternative use for canola oil in its “Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions” podcast. The segment descr ibed the use of UV-C light to change canola oil and waste canola cooking oil into olefins, a common source of plastic found in numerous products. The podcast is available free of charge on iTunes and at www.acs.org/content/ acs/en/pressroom/podcasts/ globalchallenges.

latest industry news There w ill be three new canola varieties in the Bayer CropScience line-up for 2014, featuring new traits like LibertyLink® herbicide tolerance, which will help control weeds. “Having that LibertyLink trait, from an agronomic standpoint, gives you a chance to rotate chemistries on your farm,” said Kyle Rollness of Bayer CropScience.

about USCA & affiliates The U.S. Canola Association held its annual fall board of directors meeting in Oklahoma City, Okla., Nov. 11-13. A panel of local canola growers and industry representatives discussed winter

canola acreage and estimated about 300,000 planted acres in Oklahoma for the 2014 crop.

Attendees also participated in field tours led by the Great Plains Canola Association, Oklahoma State University and Kansas State University.

The Northern Canola Growers Association held its 17th annual Canola E xpo on Dec. 11 in Langdon, N.D. The keynote speaker was Mike Jubinville of Pro Farmer Canada, an international agricultural trade and policy consulting firm specializing in oilseeds. He highlighted major market factors expected to influence the oilseed market in 2013-14. The association’s annual membership meeting followed the expo.

Canola producers, researchers and other experts will speak Jan 20-22 at Washington State University’s oilseed production and marketing conference in Kennewick, Wash. Topics will cover oilseed production and direct seed management strategies. Exhibits showcase equipment dealers, suppliers, crop consultants, hands-on demonstrations and research.

Registration is open at www. directseed.org/events/annualconference.

“Saddle up” for the 47th annual Canola Council of Canada convention Feb. 25-27 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas. Guest speakers will include Vincent Amanor-Boadu, associate professor of agribusiness economics and management at Kansas State University, and Jim Painter, professor in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Eastern Illinois University.

Register at convention.canolacouncil.org/registration.

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canola cooks

Cooking with Color Boost Health with Bright Palette of Fresh Produce SHERI COLEMAN, B.S.N., R.N.

EVEN AS THE nights grow shorter, the first days of a new year can seem like winter’s coldest and darkest. The bustle of the holidays is over, yet life continues to be busy and colds and flus run rampant.

Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are a great way to boost not only the immune system, but also the mood. Cheerful-looking themselves, their phytochemicals that produce color indicate the presence of important nutrients. Anthocyanins, which make plants blue or red, are powerful antioxidants. Orange pigments are often carotenoids, which the body turns into vitamin A – crucial for maintaining healthy eyes and skin. Citrus of any color is a great source of vitamin C, which is widely believed to boost the immune system.

Some of these nutritious pigments, namely fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, are better absorbed by the body when eaten with a little healthy fat, such as canola oil. Rich in monounsaturated fat, canola oil can reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and lower risk of heart disease when used in place of saturated fat. Additionally, canola oil won’t interfere with the delicate flavors of colorful vegetables, helping the aromas of herbs and spices to permeate dishes. Canola oil’s nearly imperceptible taste and light texture make it ideal for cold foods like salad dressing, while its high smoke point allows it to stand up well to heat.

Stuffed peppers are colorful, versatile and easy to make ahead – perfect for winter nights.

They can be assembled and refrigerated up to a day in advance. Using mini bell peppers increases the ratio of pepper to filling and spicy sausage adds big flavor to the mix. For a meatless variety, replace the sausage with an extra half cup of ricotta and add Italian seasoning. A light coat of canola oil in the dish keeps the peppers from sticking, while adding just enough healthy fat to enhance nutrient absorption.

SHERI COLEMAN, B.S.N., R.N., IS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE NORTHERN CANOLA GROWERS ASSOCIATION IN BISMARCK, N.D.

RICOTTA-STUFFED MINI PEPPERS 1 lb (about 2 dozen) assorted miniature sweet peppers 4 oz spicy Italian sausage, fried, drained and crumbled 1 egg, beaten ¾ cup ricotta cheese 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese canola oil or canola oil cooking spray Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Slice tops off peppers. Use thin paring knife to remove seeds and membranes.

Wash and set aside, cut side down, to drain. In small bowl, combine sausage, beaten egg and cheeses. Oil glass baking dish just large enough to hold peppers in a single layer. Using small spoon, fill peppers with cheese mix. Arrange in dish, open side up. Bake covered for 15-20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15 minutes, or until peppers are tender.

Yield: 4-6 servings.

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To increase your canola potential, send disease packing. The Pioneer Protector® sclerotonia resistance trait is built into every seed to reduce disease severity. You can choose products with Clearfield® or Roundup Ready® traits too. Your local Pioneer sales professional will be with you from the word go to help make sure your canola grows up strong and productive.

Pioneer® brand canola offers strong disease resistance for more muscular yields.

Roundup Ready® is a registered trademark used under license from Monsanto Company. The unique Clearfield symbol and Clearfield ® are registered trademarks of BASF. The DuPont Oval Logo is a registered trademark of DuPont. PIONEER® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer. © 2013 PHII. DUPPCN13003VA_090113_USCD

Great new reasons to grow more It’s a fact that InVigor canola hybrids consistently yield higher than other hybrids. Pushing the limits of hybrid technology, Bayer CropScience now brings you more canola hybrids that meet a range of needs. Here’s what to watch for next season: L252 will deliver mid-season maturity and superior oil content L160S is your first step of defense against sclerotinia as our first sclerotinia-tolerant hybrid L140P features shatter-resistant pods, giving you more flexibility for delayed swathing or straight cutting For complete information, go to bayercropscience.us

Bayer CropScience LP, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.

Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross and InVigor are registered trademarks of Bayer. InVigor is not registered in all states.

For additional product information call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.bayercropscience.

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