In 1991, canola was the second largest crop in Saskatchewan, with annual production of about 1.7 million tonnes. With over half of Canada’s canola and canola oil exported, some customers had expressed concern over the high levels of chlorophyll in the seed or crude oil.

The blackleg disease of canola, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, has resulted in serious economic losses to canola crops on the Prairies.

Wild oats and green foxtail are two of the most troublesome annual weeds encountered by canola producers in western Canada. Several postemergence herbicides are available that will control these two weeds.

Researchers conducted trials throughout the Prairie provinces from 1989 through 1991 to determine the relationship of canola yield and quality to temperature and precipitation received during the growing season.

In the early 1990s, canola was typically produced using soil incorporated herbicides and extensive seedbed preparation, often followed by post seeding packer/harrow operations.