History, Uses, and Benefits of Winter Canola

© 2009 OSU Canola in the Classroom

What’s All That Yellow Stuff ?

Member of a large family of plants called crucifers.

Four yellow flower petals form the shape of a cross.

Term “canola” registered in Canada in 1970.

Can as in Canada and ola as in oil (CANadian Oil Low Acid).

Canola is NOT rapeseed.

What’s All That Yellow Stuff ?

Genetic variation of rapeseed.

Two distinct variations:1. Glucosinolate levels in canola are lower

2. Euric acid levels in canola are lower

Healthy cooking oil

High quality protein supplement for livestock

Consumption and Imports Grown in Pacific Northwest and north central U.S.

North Dakota produces 90% of domestic supply.

Australia, Argentina, European countries grow small amounts.

Canada produces the majority of world supply.

Japan imports 40% of Canada’s canola seed.

United States imports the largest amounts of canola oil and meal.

History Grown in Europe as early as 13th Century.

Cultivated in Asia for thousands of years.

Used in Asia for cooking and Europe as lamp oil.

During World War II used as marine lubricant.

1985- conferred “generally recognized as safe”

1986- American Heart Association urged less saturated fat intake. Canola oil consumption increases.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKzc3JfUyMM

Southern Great Plains Monoculture of winter wheat with almost no crop rotation

for the last 50 years.

Has led to increase in winter annual grassy weeds.

Wheat yields continue to remain flat.

Past 5 harvests yields 31.6 bushels/acre.

5 year average 20 years ago 31.4 bushels/acre.

Over same time Europe has increased to 79 bushels/acre.

Benefits of Rotational Cropping with Winter Canola

Breaks the continuous wheat pest cycle.

Produces a profitable alternative oilseed crop.

Enhances wheat production.

Cleans up difficult-to-control weeds and grasses in current wheat production areas.

Reduces U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Uses existing small grain equipment.

Uses of Winter Canola One of the most efficient oil producing crops.

40% of the seed weight is oil.

One bushel of canola weighs 22.68kg or 50lbs.

Each bushel makes 2.2 gallons of edible oil.

Makes up 7% of vegetable oil use in U.S.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVHURXW-Ijc

Canola Food Products

Shortening

Margarine

Salad oil

Cooking spray

Mayonnaise

Sandwich spread

Creamer

Cookies, crackers, snack foods

Cake mixes

Bread

Canola Non Food Products

Dust depressants

De-icer for airplanes

Printing ink

Suntan Lotion

Antistatic for paper and plastic wrap

Biodegradable greases

Bioplastics

Cosmetics

Biodiesel

Canola Meal

Made of canola seeds after the oil is removed.

Contains minimum 34% protein, behind only soybean meal (47%) and cotton seed meal (41%).

Products from canola meal:1. Livestock Feed2. Poultry Feed3. Pet Food4. Fish Food5. Fertilizer