Cibus is one company doing a lot of work on seed traits and is expected to commercialize three new traits in Canada before the end of this decade. | Getty Images

Gene editing promises to open floodgates for canola traits

Company uses the technology to develop new varieties that will target pod shatter, sclerotinia and herbicide resistance

SASKATOON — Canola growers can expect a bunch of new seed traits to hit the market in coming years as gene-editing technology takes off, says an industry official. Cibus is one company doing a lot of work on that front and is expected to commercialize three new traits in Canada before the end of this […] Read more

“A lot of work has been done by the industry and the grower associations to try and make it as streamlined as possible,” Brian Conn, vice-chair of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association (COPA), said during a recent webinar. | File photo

Farmers promised easy Clean Fuel Regulations process

Industry says producers selling canola into new market will require only declaration that the crop was grown in Canada

SASKATOON — Selling canola into the market created by Canada’s new Clean Fuel Regulations will not be onerous, according to a crush industry executive. “A lot of work has been done by the industry and the grower associations to try and make it as streamlined as possible,” Brian Conn, vice-chair of the Canadian Oilseed Processors […] Read more

Tracy Broughton, executive director of SaskCanola, said the problem lies with Ottawa’s new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3.5 billion agricultural policy framework that runs from 2023-28. | Getty Images

Research priorities worry farmers

SASKATOON — Crop organizations say the federal government’s research priorities are increasingly at odds with those of farmers. The issue surfaced during the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission’s annual general meeting. “Are we in alignment or are we starting to see what our priorities are as growers isn’t necessarily the same priorities as the federal government?” […] Read more


Grain commission rules prevent growers from adding water back into the crop, so the low moisture content results in lost revenue. | File photo

Low-moisture canola problem linked to straight cutting

SASKATOON — Canola growers in southern Saskatchewan want to know how much money is lost due to the low moisture content of their crops. Mark Alexander, a grower from Weyburn, Sask., recently asked the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) to conduct a study on the issue, which has become a thorn in the side of […] Read more

The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission’s check-off revenues have not been good in recent years, largely due to low acres and yields.  |  File photo

Canola-flax merger gets final approval

SASKATOON — Saskatchewan’s canola and flax growers have voted to approve the amalgamation of their two grower groups. Resolutions were passed at both the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) and Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission (SaskFlax) annual general meetings. “The collaborative efforts are expected to streamline operations, enhance research initiatives and provide a more cohesive voice […] Read more


SaskCanola was asked at its recent annual meeting to examine the value that the Canola Council of Canada delivers to Saskatchewan farmers.  |  File photo

Review requested for how canola council is funded

SASKATOON — A farmer who helped establish the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission wants the organization to review its funding of the Canola Council of Canada. Zenneth Faye, who was also a founding member of Milligan Biotech, Canada’s first commercial biodiesel plant, asked the board of SaskCanola to examine the value that the council delivers to […] Read more

Some growers have expressed concern that ‘flax might be swallowed up by canola’ if the two commissions amalgamate. | Screencap via saskcanola.com

Producer input sought on proposed flax-canola merger

Two Saskatchewan oilseed commissions are seeking feedback from growers on a possible amalgamation. The Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission and the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission sent notices in the mail to farmers asking them to participate in an online survey. “Mostly, we want to find out if there’s any major concerns that maybe our boards haven’t […] Read more