For years, farmers have heard about growing canola in
Georgia. But there was never
a big local market. Canola was a niche contract crop with a
broad profit potential that
was always just around the corner. Now, the corner is
here.

Georgia farmers may now be able to grow this winter crop
at world prices and then some.
Two Georgia processing plants are making plans to crush
canola next year.

World markets close to
home

“Buying points across Georgia are to be used to support
local purchasing,”
said Randy Hudson,
the University
of Georgia canola coordinator. Hudson is an Extension
Service scientist with the UGA College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“We’ve been told a positive basis above world prices
might be used as an incentive
to attract growers,” he said. “For years we’ve said this
crop would be
sustainable if growers get world prices. Now there’s a
chance for prices above those
levels.”

Tour shows canola’s
promise

Potential growers can see the bright promise of canola
firsthand March 30 in the
Georgia Canola Progress Tour, Hudson said.

The tour will begin with a field day at the Southwest
Branch Experiment Station in
Plains, Ga., at 9:30 a.m. “Then we’ll travel across
southwest Georgia and visit four
production areas,” he said.

County agents, Extension Service scientists, industry
experts and growers will tell
about aspects of canola production. Lunch will be
provided. The tour will end at 3:30 p.m.

Growers, innovators should
tour

Hudson is urging the state’s farmers to join the tour.

“Our growers are all asking about alternative crops,”
he said. “This
could be the one they’re looking for.”

To learn more about the canola field day and tour,
contact your county Extension
Service office. Or call (912) 386-3424.