Canola Morning @ Manitoba Ag Days 2025

• Tyler Wist, Research Scientist, Field Crop Entomology, AAFC Saskatoon, @TylerWist1

Canola seedlings are always at risk of a flea beetle attack, and their defenses are fortified with seed treatments. In some growing seasons, a less common threat appears in the form of an aster leafhopper, wielding a phytoplasma weapon, to assail the health and yield of canola plants. Join Tyler as he navigates the yellow flower attackers.  

 10:20 AM The Balancing Act of Canola Variety Selection: An Agronomist Panel 

• Moderator: Sonia Wilson, Oilseeds Specialist, Manitoba Agriculture, @MBGovAg 
• Brunel Sabourin, Agronomist, CCA, Tech. Ag., Antara Agronomy Services Ltd, @bsabourin 
• Breanna Miller, Agronomy Specialist, Canola Council of Canada, @bmillerccc 
• Karen Fatteicher, Agronomist, 360 Ag Consulting, @karenfatteicher

Agronomists from across Manitoba will discuss the challenges of choosing a canola variety that is best suited for your field. Genetic advancements for yield, disease resistance, pod shatter and specialty traits are happening quicker than ever before and have real implications for performance on a field level. Discussions will be centered around how variety selection decisions are currently being made, what resources are available for farmers and agronomists to make these decisions and what a future wish list might look like for canola.   

11:15 AM Price Outlook for Oils and Fats and Implications for Canadian Canola

David Mielke, Analyst, Oil World – ISTA Mielke GmbH @OILWORLD_Mielke

Dwindling production growth of oils and fats is seen resulting in a large deficit in 2024/25, requiring demand-rationing in the biofuel and food sectors. Combined crushings of rapeseed and canola and sunflower seed are set to decline by 8 million tonnes this season, raising dependence on soybeans. This will require a further appreciation of the oil share of the combined product value, which is good news for a high oil-yielding oilseed such as canola. Political uncertainty, vz. U.S. biodiesel framework or the risk of Chinese trade restrictions, further complicate the situation. David will discuss the latest developments in the global oilseed markets and its price implication on Canadian canola.