Introducing Winter Canola In the Wheat-Fallow Region of North Central Washington.

Approximately 60% of the cereal and grain legume production areas of the Pacific Northwest are characterized by the winter wheat/summer fallow system. This system is plagued by winter annual grass weeds. Growers are becoming more interested in producing winter canola in this region to improve pest management strategies, diversify markets, and increase sustainability. However, winter canola stand establishment is a major impediment to growers in the non- irrigated, low- to intermediate-rainfall zones. Objectives of this study are to determine optimum seeding rate and date of winter canola and the effect on seed, oil and meal quality; and explore new planting methodologies to improve stand establishment and seedling survival. Yield data suggests that doubling the seeding rate is not economically feasible for an August planting, and earlier planting dates produce more consistent stands and yield. Based on yield alone, the data suggests that when the moisture is within 2" of the surface shovels are not needed. However, the crop population was more uniform using shovels, which provides better competition against weeds. Another objective was to create a multi-agency partnership focusing on the Colville Confederated Tribes to improve human and animal health, self-sustainability, and stimulate the local economy by creating jobs locally.