Experiences in growing canola in north-west NSW.

Canola has been grown in north-west NSW since the early 1980s with a mixture of success. The main reasons for variable yields has been the lack of suitable equipment and knowledge of establishment on black soils, limited cultivars available for our short winter and the traditionally hot, dry finish. Growers lost confidence in canola in the early 1990s due to extensive frost damage across the plains. In 2000, the closure of Cargill’s oilseed crushing plant at Moree substantially increased transport costs. This closure, coupled with a variable market, disheartened more growers. Canola is a higher risk, management and input crop than cereals, which is a deterrent to some farmers. Despite these problems, core areas of varying size have been consistently grown. Canola can be as profitable as cereals in all but the driest seasons. In addition, canola is an excellent rotation crop for winter cereals, particularly in controlling crown rot. Over the next five years it is predicted that areas of canola will continue to expand gradually as agronomic knowledge and cultivar improvement continue. The real growth area in Brassica production in the hotter and drier parts of the north-west is likely to be in mustards, both condiment and canola quality oil varieties, due to their better drought tolerance and consequently higher yields in the harsher climate.