Here are timely updates about issues impacting the canola sector. Subscribe to Canola Quick Bytes for notifications of new blog posts.
By Carol J. Burns, MPH, PhD and Daland R. Juberg, PhD
Cancer affects about 20 million people globally, accounting for one in six deaths (World Health Organization 2020). As we age, our individual risk of acquiring cancer increases. Farmers are no exception despite having lower cancer rates overall than the general population (Agricultural Health Study and AGRICAN). Read More »
Ever wonder how canola oil stacks up against other edible oils? In honor of National Nutrition Month and March Madness, let’s size up the “competition,” starting with the weak challengers:
Coconut oil: Often erroneously touted for so-called health benefits, this high saturated fat (87%!) contender is solid at room temperature. That’s a good indication of what it will do to your arteries! This is why the U.S. government recommends cooking with liquid vegetable oils like canola in place of solid fats such as coconut oil, butter, shortening or lard. Read More »
By Tom Hance
President Biden comes into office with an immediate focus on managing the COVID-19 pandemic and enacting response and relief measures to mitigate its impacts. Some aspects can be achieved through executive orders, while others – such as providing additional assistance to individuals and hard-hit entities – will require legislative action by Congress, which is an uncertain proposition. Aside from managing the pandemic, Biden’s focus will be on restoring stability (both domestically and with trade and foreign affairs), enacting a major infrastructure initiative (which dovetails into coronavirus response and recovery), and addressing climate change on numerous fronts. What does this mean for agriculture and canola? Read More »
New year, new you? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 were issued just in the nick of time for any diet- and health-related resolutions you may have. As usual, canola oil is recommended as an oil high in unsaturated fats. The U.S. Canola Association (USCA) submitted comments to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) in June 2019. Read More »
By Angela Dansby
“Marty, whatever happens, don’t ever go to 2020,” read a WhatApp joke in reference to the movie “Back to the Future.”
No lie. This year was one most of us would like to forget. But there are some good news stories worth remembering. For example, Farm Rescue recently came to the rescue of a North Dakota farmer hospitalized with COVID-19. Read More »
By Tom Hance
The 2020 U.S. presidential election was closer than many polls showed, but it appears Joe Biden will become the next president. Contrary to pre-election projections, Republicans look likely to gain a few seats in the House of Representatives. Democrats will maintain the House majority but with a smaller margin. Senate control will come down to run-off elections on Jan. 5 in Georgia. Historical trends suggest Republicans will be favored to win these run-offs and maintain majority in the Senate, but a lot of money will be spent by both parties and trends can be broken.
By Tom Hance and Dale Thorenson
The upcoming election will not only determine the next U.S. president, but also control of the Senate and agriculture committees in both chambers. The change in leadership will affect the policy agenda, including trade, anti-trust, energy and environmental issues in the near-term and how the next farm bill is developed over the longer term. The 2018 Farm Bill is effective until Sept. 30, 2023. Read More »
By Johann Tergesen
With an expected additional 2 billion people on earth by the year 2050 and consumers already demanding more plant-based foods, now is the perfect time to bring to market nutritious and great-tasting canola protein ingredients. Burcon NutraScience, a global technology leader in the development of plant-based proteins, has been perfecting its food-grade, non-GMO canola proteins for the last 20 years. This December, they will become a reality. Read More »
By Angela Dansby
Canola oil, you are both healthful and useful, good for my heart and my cooking. Here are 10 reasons I love you … you are:
By Mike Stamm, M.S.
Developing and evaluating high-yielding and regionally adapted winter canola cultivars, improving canola cropping systems, and delivering new technologies and practices to growers are NIFA project priorities in the Great Plains. This project includes the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Nebraska and New Mexico. Read More »