Canola

Western Australia is the major canola growing state in Australia producing over 50% of the nation’s 4 million tonnes each year.

The majority of WA canola is exported – generating about $1.2 billion for the state’s economy each year, with the Germany, Japan, UAE, Belgium, France and the Netherlands WA’s largest export canola markets in 2021/22.

WA canola is renowned for its high oil content – with the state often achieving higher oil contents than the rest of the nation.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development supports the WA canola industry through agronomic research and development; and pest and disease identification and management.

Articles

  • Western Australian agriculture experiences variability in its winter growing season (May–October): late starts, early finishes and 'dry seasons' with rainfall low enough to cause serious plant and

  • Through targeted grains research and development (R&D), the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's (DPIRD) Boosting Grains Research and Development project aims to increase

  • A new guide has been published to assist canola and pulse growers to identify frost damage and consider crop management decisions. Frost damage reduces crop yield and grain quality.

  • In September 2017, six department research officers presented at the biennial Australian Agronomy Conference in Ballarat, Victoria.

  • Young pods abort or are poorly filled

    Canola is most susceptible to frost damage from flowering to the clear watery stage (approximately 60% moisture). Plants frequently recover from frost at early flowering by producing more flowers.

  • Scattered germination due to insufficient soil moisture

    Early drought may affect germination and early growth. Water stressed seedlings are more severely affected by other constraints and may have induced nutrient deficiencies.