Our Impact on the Canola Industry
The PNW Canola Association works on behalf of canola growers across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington — winning policy changes, funding research, and building a canola industry that lasts.
Crop Insurance Advocacy
Improving federal coverage access and reducing bureaucratic friction for PNW canola producers.
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Winter canola sales closing date aligned with winter wheat (2024)
Growers can now elect crop insurance coverage for both crops in a single FSA office visit. Previously required two separate trips.
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Canola coverage options expanded for 2024 crop year
Association input during USDA RMA comment periods contributed to updated coverage terms, payment triggers, and premium rates benefiting PNW producers.
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Ongoing engagement with USDA Risk Management Agency
PNWCA monitors and responds to federal rulemaking that affects canola crop insurance availability and pricing across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Policy & Federal Advocacy
Representing canola growers in Washington D.C. and at the state level on trade, farm bill, and regulatory priorities.
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D.C. lobby days — congressional meetings on crop insurance and trade (2023)
Board members and producer members traveled to meet directly with congressional representatives on issues affecting PNW canola.
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Active participation in federal comment periods
PNWCA submits formal comments on USDA RMA rulemakings, farm bill provisions, and other regulatory matters affecting canola producers.
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Coordination with national canola organizations
The association aligns PNW grower priorities with broader U.S. canola policy positions to amplify regional influence.
Canola Research
Funding and coordinating agronomic research that helps PNW growers make better variety and management decisions.
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Annual variety trial results published for all four PNW states
Spring and winter canola performance data from WSU, University of Idaho, Montana State, and OSU Extension — freely available in the Research Library every season.
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Blackleg-resistant varieties identified for Montana growing conditions (2023)
Two new varieties with improved blackleg resistance ratings outperformed standard checks in 2023 Montana field trials, giving MT growers better disease management options.
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Washington Oilseeds Commission checkoff funding secured (2024)
A new agreement directs a percentage of annual per-pound checkoff dollars to PNWCA research and education programs — a recurring funding source for grower-focused work.
Grower Education & Outreach
Delivering timely agronomic knowledge through events, publications, and direct grower engagement.
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Annual meeting — record 80+ attendees (2023)
Growers, researchers, and industry partners gather each year for seed company presentations, agronomic updates, policy briefings, and board elections.
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Workshop presentations published in the Research Library
Slide decks and materials from PNWCA workshops are archived and available to all members year-round.
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Canola combine setup video — 4,500+ views on YouTube
Practical harvest education content produced by PNWCA continues to reach growers beyond the membership.
Industry Growth & Market Development
Building the conditions for canola acres and market infrastructure to expand across the Pacific Northwest.
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PNW canola acreage up approximately 4% in 2023 over 2022
USDA acreage data shows continued growth in planted canola acres across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
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Industry member directory connecting growers with buyers, suppliers, and lenders
The PNWCA member network gives growers direct access to crop buyers, seed companies, financial services, and agronomists operating in the PNW.
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Seed oil misinformation addressed with science-based resources
PNWCA actively provides growers and consumers with peer-reviewed information countering anti-canola claims circulating online.
Washington Oilseeds Commission Funding Partnership
Securing a recurring, checkoff-funded revenue stream that sustains PNWCA research and education programs year over year.
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Percentage of annual per-pound checkoff now directed to PNWCA (2024)
The Washington Oilseeds Commission — which collects a per-pound assessment from every canola grower in Washington — formally agreed to direct a portion of those funds to the PNW Canola Association each year.
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Recurring funding for grower-focused programs
Unlike one-time grants, this checkoff partnership provides a predictable annual funding stream for agronomic research, variety trials, and education programs across the region.
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Separate organizations, shared mission
The Washington Oilseeds Commission and PNWCA maintain independent operations but coordinate on research priorities and outreach to maximize impact for PNW canola producers.
This Progress is Funded by PNWCA Membership
The policy wins, research programs, and industry partnerships on this page exist because growers and industry partners across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington chose to invest in collective action.
The industry only works when the people who benefit from it show up. Join the PNW Canola Association today!
Latest Canola Industry News
Feb 9, 2026
Capital PressCurtis Hennings, Ritzville, WA was recognized for his long-term contributions that have helped shape canola production and agriculture in the dryland PNW region.
Dec 3, 2025
Western Ag NetworkAt the inaugural Canola & Pulse Workshop in Great Falls, Geraldine, MT producer Erik Engellant shares the benefits he’s seen with canola and pulse crops on his farm.
Dec 2, 2025
Northern Ag NetworkShannon Berndt, executive director of NPGA shares the importance of collaborating for a cropping systems approach to this first-time workshop.
Nov 7, 2025
WSU InsiderScientists at WSU found that plants can remodel or alter their seed oils after they are initially produced, suggesting a previously unknown mechanism that could be used to improve oil yield and composition.
Sep 22, 2025
Capital PressA proposal would create designated control areas to manage how canola and rapeseed are grown and prevent cross-pollination with other seed crops.