The inability of U.S. canola growers to plant 426,711 acres this year because of bad weather caused supply concerns early in the season, however large yields in the Northern Plains and a record crop in Western Canada will likely offset the lost acreage. In 2013 U.S. canola growers planted 1.3 million acres but adverse weather conditions prevented the planting of 426,711 acres. The previous year in 2012, U.S. canola growers planted 1.7 million acres and were unable to plant only 6,000 acres. Despite the loss of acreage there is expected to be the same supply of canola as last year because of the impressive yields being seen in the main U.S. canola growing region of 50 – 70 bushels per acre – almost double the usual yield. U.S. planting of canola has increased in the past 10 years as it is being used more regularly as a rotation crop from winter wheat in Oklahoma, southern Kansas and northern Texas, and as a summer crop in more northern states. As canola production moves north and west in the U.S. because of climate change so do crushing operations. Canadian processor Legumex Walker opened a crushing operation in Warden, Washington in late 2012 and plans to eventually source all of its canola from the U.S. Pacific Northwest. To read more about the canola and complex canola product trade between the U.S and Canada:
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