While researchers at Oregon State University plow ahead with field research to determine what impact canola growing might have on farmers in the state, the debate over how much canola should be grown in Oregon and where that canola should be grown is in full swing, with both sides voicing legitimate concerns. As part of a three-year research project currently being conducted by Oregon State University and set to conclude in 2017, a small group of growers in Oregon are raising 490 acres of canola within a restricted zone that has long kept it separate from vegetable and specialty seed fields. (Ion, 2014) The Oregon legislature requested Oregon State University conduct these trials to settle a 10 year argument over whether canola should even be grown in the Willamette Valley. The first year of this research project has concluded and the results may raise more questions than provide answers. Results of the first year of the test coincided with an infestation of black leg disease in multiple Brassica crop fields. Cynthia Ocamb, an OSU plant pathologist, found black leg disease in 43 of 61 fields that she inspected and described the outbreak as unprecedented in her 17 years working in the Valley. Black leg disease rots the lower stems of infected plants, which weakens and stunts crops and can infect developing seed. This has provided the opportunity for farmers against canola to speculate that canola was the source of this unprecedented outbreak; however Ocamb and other Oregon State University researchers say the fungal disease was airborne and not caused by canola. (Mortensen, 2014)
Proponents of growing canola argue that adding canola to a wheat, barley or legume rotation gives you expanded weed control options, increases the yields a subsequent crops, improves soil health, and diversifies your marketing portfolio. Pro canola farmers will also point out that it is a different crop than 10 or 15 years ago. Canola prices are now higher relative to wheat, and yields for canola have improved faster than other crops. They also point out additional benefits such as higher wheat yields following canola, improved water infiltration, and additional jobs and increased economic development in our region through local canola processing. (Pacific Coast canola, 2014)
Opponents view canola as more wicked than wonderful. Greg Loberg, of West Coast Beet Seed Company views canola as a risk, and hopes that the research will validate his concerns. The risks to seed crops include “pests, diseases and the proliferation of volunteers” said Loberg, who is a public relations chair for the Willamette Valley Specialty Seed Association. (Mortensen, 2014) The Willamette Valley has a $32 million specialty seed industry and specialty seed farmers are at the forefront of opponents of canola. Their concern too seems well-founded as specialty seed farmers must be very strict and careful when it comes to managing their crops to prevent pests, disease and cross-pollination. Because canola is a crop designed to produce large amounts of biomass, it is very hard to control. Specialty seed farmers have indicated that customers are concerned about purity of product, and that some indicated that they may discontinue buying from the state if canola is allowed in the Willamette Valley. (Hougen, 2013)
Both sides of the debate have good points to make. If canola can be grown without cross contaminating and disrupting specialty seed crops, it could be a very positive thing for farmers in the state and for bringing more economic strength to the farming community. Specialty seed growers have just cause to be skeptical though, as canola can be invasive and hard to control, and if it contaminates their cash crops, it could jeopardize their livelihood. Research from Oregon State University on canola in the next few years will be critical in informing guidelines for the state of Oregon to make sure that all stakeholders are given a fair opportunity to continue their farming practices without jeopardizing other farmers crops, and make it possible to work together to create an environment where farmers of various crops are able to economically flourish. Fortunately both sides of the issue seem receptive to incorporating the results of field research into proposed future regulations for growers in Oregon. We will just have to wait and see what the next couple of years of research data uncover.
Works Cited
Hougen, S. (2013, January 16th). canola debate pits biofuels against seeds. Retrieved from news times: http://portlandtribune.com/fgnt/36-news/126554-canola-debate-pits-biofuels-against-seeds
Ion, C. (2014, May 19th). field trials may answer canola question. Retrieved from Oregon seed Association: http://www.oregonseed.org/field-trials-may-answer-canola-question/
Mortensen, E. (2014, October 2nd). canola study raises more questions than answers. Retrieved from capital press: http://www.capitalpress.com/Oregon/20141002/canola-study-raises-more-questions-than-answers
Pacific Coast canola. (2014). why grow canola. Retrieved from Pacific Coast canola: http://www.pacificcoastcanola.com/why-grow-canola/