Here are timely updates about issues impacting the canola sector. Subscribe to Canola Quick Bytes for notifications of new blog posts.
By Angela Dansby
Seed oils have become a hot topic in health conversations, particularly on social media, with plenty of questions—and sometimes confusion—about their role in our diets. Are they good for us? Science says a resounding “YES.” Read More »
By Angela Dansby
On Jan. 14, 2025, the U.S. Canola Association (USCA) submitted comments in support of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s (DGAC’s) scientific report. It applauds the committee’s sound dietary fat recommendations and listing of canola oil as a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat but made a special request: list canola oil as a good source of unsaturated fats overall as well as vitamins E and K. Here’s why: Read More »
By Angela Dansby
On Dec. 10, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) – 20 nationally recognized nutrition and public health experts appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – issued its scientific report for public comment. Once finalized, it will used by the HHS and USDA to develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-30, which will be issued next year. The DGAC recommendations pertaining to canola oil, which is high in unsaturated fat (93%), are as follows: Read More »
By Angela Dansby
Consumption of seed oils high in unsaturated fatty acids (building blocks of fat) is associated with numerous health benefits and may lower the risk of chronic diseases, according to a scientific review published Oct. 30 in the British Journal of Nutrition. Seed oils are vegetable oils derived from seeds rather than the fruit of plants (e.g., palm and olive oils) such as canola, corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, rice, safflower, sesame and soybean. These oils contain predominantly mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including the PUFAs linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) to varying degrees. Read More »
By Angela Dansby
Oct. 21-22, 2024 mark the seventh and final meeting of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), composed of 20 nationally recognized nutrition and public health experts appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Since early 2023, the DGAC has been gathering public input and examining evidence pertaining to a list of prioritized scientific questions, many of which were identified by the HHS and USDA in 2020-22. Public comments were solicited on these questions before appointment of the DGAC and during its deliberations. Read More »
By Zoe Wallace and Tom Hance
After 2.5 years of deliberation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued on Aug. 20 its final Herbicide Strategy, which intends to create a consistent, reasonable, transparent and understandable approach to assessing the potential impacts of herbicides on 900 listed species and identifying mitigations. It describes whether, how much and where mitigations may be needed to protect federally listed species from agricultural uses of herbicides. The EPA would apply the strategy when issuing new active ingredient registrations or review decisions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The Herbicide Strategy includes a three-step decision framework for the EPA to use when considering FIFRA actions, including how to apply mitigations. Read More »
By Chris Vervaet
The cropping system that supplies Canadian canola has been transformed over the past several decades to one that is more environmentally sustainable and profitable. This transformation is resulting in increases in soil organic carbon (SOC), primarily from the reduction in summer fallow (intentionally leaving land without vegetation for one year) and reduction in tillage, including the large-scale adoption of no-till practices. This increase in SOC represents a significant removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere so it is quantified in Canada’s official greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. Quantification supports the inclusion of changes in SOC due to regenerative farm practices when estimating the carbon footprint of canola and other crops. Read More »
By Tom Hance
Very early on May 24th, the House Agriculture Committee passed a farm bill proposal put forth by Chair Glenn Thompson (R-PA). The mark-up started at 11:00 am on May 23rd and did not conclude until after midnight. Most of the discussion and amendments considered were related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In the end, four Democrats joined all committee Republicans to pass the bill out of committee. The Democrats were Yadira Caraveo (CO), Don Davis (NC), Eric Sorenson (IL) and Sanford Bishop (GA). A couple of withdrawn amendments are of interest to #canola growers: Read More »
By Courtney Meduna
Technology is being adapted for agriculture at a super speed, empowering farmers to be more targeted and precise in their operations. In fact, according to AgTech Digest, the precision agriculture market, valued at $9.4 billion in 2022, is expected to grow 12.6 percent by 2030.
Precision agriculture is a blanket term for anything that employs technology to improve crop yields and on-farm decision making. Many aspects of it are used on a broad scale today, such as auto-steer in equipment and GPS guidance. We also have section control across all types of equipment, allowing for better utilization of seed and chemistry, as well as more accurate data collection at harvest. We even now have satellite imagery, variable rate technology and (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) adaptations (drones) to help improve efficiency. Read More »
By Tom Hance
The primary market for canola oil is food. However, another important and growing market for the oil is renewable biofuel, typically biodiesel or renewable diesel and potentially sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the future. The biofuel market is growing as a result of policies and incentives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation fuel sector. Read More »