Duel-purpose winter canola in the Pacific Northwest : forage management

Abstract

As winter canola (Brassica napus) continues to gain acceptance as a viable broadleaf crop in the predominantly cereal rotations of the Pacific Northwest (PNW), dual-purpose winter canola is beginning to gain interest. Not only does canola provide benefits, such as improving weed control, breaking disease and pest cycles, and increasing water infiltration, but Washington State University (WSU) research has also shown increased wheat yields following a canola crop. As the name suggests, dual-purpose winter canola serves two purposes: fall forage or silage and grain harvest. Canola forage could be advantageous in the inland PNW where late summer and fall pasture is often in short supply. While grown successfully elsewhere (mainly Australia), the feasibility of dual-purpose canola in the PNW has not been thoroughly investigated. Our study investigates the effect of different fertilizer rates and timing on forage and grain yield as well as nitrate and sulfur accumulation in winter canola. The Washington State Oilseed Cropping Systems Research and Extension Project (WOCS) is funded by the Washington State Legislature to meet expanding biofuel, food, and feed demands with diversified rotations in wheat based cropping systems. The WOCS fact sheet series provides practical oilseed production information based on research findings in eastern Washington.