VANCOUVER — The canola industry is on pace to meet what was once described as a “big, hairy and audacious” 2015 production goal two years ahead of schedule.
The Canola Council of Canada raised eyebrows in 2007 when it released its Going Great 2015 plan that called for 15 million tonnes of production by 2015.
Fast forward six years and Agriculture Canada is forecasting 15.5 million tonnes of canola production in 2013.
“We’re going to break the 15 million tonne barrier this year, so we really have to be ready with a new strategy and new goals,” said council president Patti Miller.
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“We thought 15 million tonnes was a huge goal, and it was, but we got there fast.”
The council is conducting analytical work and making market projections in preparation for establishing new objectives.
Miller said the board of directors will start charting a new course for the industry in the next few months and hopes the strategy will be made public by the end of the year.
However, not everybody is popping champagne corks over the industry’s achievement.
Former CWB director Butch Harder took Miller to task at the council’s annual convention for what he considers a misguided objective to push farmers to grow 15 million tonnes of canola.
“That has always bothered me,” he said during the question and answer session following Miller’s speech to delegates.
Harder said 15 million tonnes of production is unsustainable and is forcing farmers to push rotations and expand canola production into areas where the crop shouldn’t be planted.
“I don’t think that’s really very good policy,” he said.
Miller said 15 million tonnes is sustainable and thinks growers will be capable of producing more with the proper investment in research.
The council has approached the federal government to secure continued research and development funding for the industry.
It received $14.5 million in multi-year science cluster funding through Growing Forward 1, but that program ends March 31.
The council has applied for more funding through Growing Forward 2 but won’t specify how much it is seeking.
It has also applied for market development and market access funding. In 2012-13, it received $1.2 million through the agri-marketing program, which was matched by industry support.
Miller said canola, which was once again the top revenue-generating crop for farmers last year, has a compelling case for continued government investment in research and market development.
“We’ll see what the next budget brings, but I think the canola council is well positioned to continue with that partnership with the federal government,” she said.
“The opportunities for strong, strong support from the government are there.”
