Winter Canola is planted in mid- to late September following the summer corn or soybean crop. Winter Canola will sprout in about 5 to 7 days under the right conditions and requires around 600 GDUs to reach between 5 and 8 leaves with a stem diameter of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This ensures the best situation for winter hardiness before becoming dormant (overwintering) during the coldest part of the winter. In early spring, the Winter Canola restarts growth and is typically harvested in late May or early June, making it a great companion for double-crop soybeans.

No. Winter Canola can be used in rotation with Winter Wheat since it needs 2 to 3 years before planting in the same field for disease prevention.

No, you will not need new or different equipment to plant and harvest Winter Canola. You can use traditional wheat, corn, and soybean planting and harvest equipment with minimal retrofits. Incorporating Winter Canola into a rotation is easy because it fits right into current cropping systems. It follows traditional timing and equipment used for Winter Wheat crop rotations.

Based on university trials in the Mid-South, we anticipate yields of 45 to 55 bu/acre, with potential to be higher based on individual operations.

Pioneer is building on a century of breeding and agronomic expertise to deliver a Winter Canola hybrid that’s uniquely suited to the Mid-South, increasing your chances of a successful harvest. Plus, the partnership with Bunge and Chevron Ag Renewables can help provide market stability and contract assurances that all production from enrolled canola acres will be purchased. Simply put: Competitor programs don’t have access to Pioneer technology and agronomic support, and they don’t have the downstream market that’s been established through this partnership with Bunge and Chevron Ag Renewables.

No. Demand for corn and soybeans is forecasted to continue to be strong, and Winter Canola isn’t a replacement for those crops.

As BCAR is ISCC EU certified, this provides the option for you to sell winter canola to BCAR under our certification. BCAR requires that you submit your shape files, share specific data to calculate GHG emission savings and complete a Self-Declaration form through DocuSign. BCAR will also provide guidance and support, if and when you are subject to an audit.

To comply with Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) and qualify for ISCC EU certification, you must demonstrate sustainable production practices across various aspects of your operation. These requirements involve rigorous documentation and auditing. Key areas of focus include:

Land Use: No recent conversion. Your operation cannot include land converted from certain areas after 2008. This includes primary forests, wooded areas, protected nature zones, biodiverse grasslands, wetlands, and peatlands. Records must be kept showing that no part of your operation was part of any recent conversions.

Good Agricultural Practices: Detailed records are key. Show how you are a responsible steward of the land and keep records of what you do. Maintain well-organized physical and/or digital records. This includes:

• Spray diaries: Document every chemical application – what, when, where, and how much.
• Soil tests: Require soil test for Ph. Regular soil testing demonstrates you are managing your soil health effectively (minimum of once every 5 years).
• Farm Fields records: Keep a history of what has been grown in each field and when, including crop rotations.
• Chemical and fertilizer management: Be able to explain and demonstrate how storage, application and disposal of chemicals and fertilizers is done following safe and responsible practices.
• Worker safety and wellbeing: Your own health and safety, and your employees, matters. Be prepared to discuss your farm safety procedures.
• Supporting Evidence: Retain supporting documentation such as invoices, receipts, ticket scales, soil test results, and training certificates.

Any grower who sells winter canola under the ISCC EU certification scheme is subject to potential audits. While all participating growers are eligible for audit, the selection process is random, drawing from the pool of total growers. Approximately ~10% of this year’s grower participants will be randomly selected for an on-farm audit.