Adding winter canola to complement your crop rotations can give you a new income stream and entry into the thriving renewable fuels market. Through a unique partnership between Pioneer and Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables, your certified farm operation can boost soil health, increase profitability, and access a clear path to market.
• Diversify income sources and potentially increase total farm profitability.
• Access a clear path to market for harvested crop.
• Participate in the growing renewables feedstock market.
• Improve soil through plant diversity and water filtration.
• Maximize productivity through multi-year crop rotation.
• Access federal crop insurance for qualified participants.
• Receive agronomic guidance and stewardship support from local area experts.
Check out the latest live prices for winter canola from Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables.
Show Me the NumbersThe numbers say it all. Yield results for the inaugural crop of winter canola are exceeding expectations. Based on university trials, we anticipate yields of 45–55 bu/A, with the potential to be higher based on individual operations. On multiple farms covering 3,500+ acres, here are the results.
| WESTERN KENTUCKY | WEST TENNESSEE | |
|---|---|---|
| Pioneer Yield (Bu/A)* | ||
| 55 | 52 | |
| Pioneer Brand | ||
| PT303 | PT303 | |
| Farms | ||
| 11 | 2 | |
| Acres | ||
| 2,697 | 860 | |
Winter canola is planted in the fall and overwinters to be harvested in the early summer. Spring canola is planted in early spring and harvested in the fall. The plants are similar in terms of their biological makeup, although winter canola has better tolerance to cold and freezing. Due to its longer growing season, winter canola yields are about 20% to 30% higher than those of spring canola. Winter canola can be used in your current double-cropping system (as a rotational crop following corn or soybean) or on acres that are fallow in winter.
Winter canola is planted in mid- to late September following the summer corn or soybean crop. Winter canola will sprout in about 5 to 7 days under the right conditions and requires around 600 GDUs to reach between 5 and 8 leaves with a stem diameter of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This ensures the best situation for winter hardiness before becoming dormant (overwintering) during the coldest part of the winter. In early spring, the winter canola restarts growth and is typically harvested in late May or early June, making it a great companion for double-crop soybeans.
No, you will not need new or different equipment to plant and harvest winter canola. You can use traditional wheat, corn, and soybean planting and harvest equipment with minimal retrofits. Incorporating winter canola into a rotation is easy because it fits right into current cropping systems. It follows traditional timing and equipment used for winter wheat crop rotations.
No. Winter canola can be used in rotation with winter wheat since it needs 2 to 3 years before planting in the same field for disease prevention.
Yield results for the inaugural crop of winter canola are exceeding expectations. Based on university trials, we anticipated yields of 45–55 bu/A, with the potential to be higher based on individual operations. On multiple farms covering 3,500+ acres, the results* showed up to 55 bu/A in Kentucky and up to 52 bu/A in Tennessee.
Note: Farm average yields ranged from 43-60 bu/A. *Weighted farm averages.
Pioneer is building on a century of breeding and agronomic expertise to deliver a locally adapted winter canola hybrid, increasing your chances of a successful harvest. Plus, the partnership with Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables can help provide market stability and contract assurances that all production from enrolled canola acres will be purchased. Simply put: Competitor programs don’t the downstream market that’s been established through this partnership with Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables.
Farmers participating in the Certified Winter Canola Program must obtain International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) to access the renewable fuels market and maximize revenue. The ISCC certification process involves signing a contract, providing farm shapefiles for land verification, completing a sustainability self-declaration, and submitting post-harvest data on farming practices and energy consumption for GHG emissions reporting. A small percentage of participants will be randomly selected for on-farm audits. This certification verifies the sustainable production of winter canola, ensuring compliance with environmental and social standards, and allows farmers to participate in the growing renewable fuels market.
The increasing demand for renewable energy sources has driven a surge of regulatory requirements and government incentives. To participate in the Certified Winter Canola Program, farmers need to certify their winter canola operation with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC). ISCC certification provides documented proof to crop buyers that your farming operation meets ISCC sustainability requirements, which allows you to:
Access competitive prices for crops.
● Comply with and access the growing renewable fuels market.
● Demonstrate your commitment to sustainable agriculture.
No. Demand for corn and soybeans is forecasted to continue to be strong, and winter canola isn’t a replacement for those crops.
Corteva offers growers a number of paths to participate in sustainable fuel efforts.
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This Certified Winter Canola Program offers a new revenue opportunity with unique benefits:
• Convenient grain delivery points available.
• On-farm storage is not required. Bunge will take immediate crop delivery after harvest.
