Why You Should Support Canadian Canola Farmers
Bright yellow canola fields are an iconic summer scene experienced by locals and tourists alike in Western Canada. But what not many people know is that the canola plant is so much more than part of the beautiful scenery the prairie provinces are known for – it was made right here in Canada!
Canola is a Canadian success story to the core as Manitoba and Saskatchewan both had a share in its creation. Today, over 43,000 Canadian farmers produce 20 million tonnes of canola annually which are harvested and crushed to create canola oil or meal which is then used in a full spectrum of products.
Today, Canada is the single largest producer of canola globally and our farmers take great pride in bringing it to market using some of the most sustainable production methods seen around the world.
But wait, there are countless more reasons to support Canadian canola farmers that we want to share with you – here we go! Also see:
Farming in Canada: The Facts (35 Infographics)
Where Does Your Turkey Dinner Come From?
Farming in Saskatchewan: 26 Facts
Farming in Alberta: 30 Facts
Farming in Manitoba: 27 Facts
#1 - Canola is an economic powerhouse in Canada
The Canola sector's contribution to Canadian families and the economy is something to not be overlooked. A few facts showing the importance of canola in Canada:
> Over 43,000 Canadian farmers produce 20 million tonnes of canola annually.
> Canola contributes $29.9 billion per year to the Canadian economy.
> Canada's canola industry supports 207,000 Canadian jobs across the country.
> These are well-paying jobs too as the total wage impact of the canola sector has increased by 80 per cent over the past decade.
> The canola sector generates $12 billion in wages for Canadians each year.
#2 – Canadian canola farmers are leaders in environmental progress
> Responsible farming practices allow Canadian farmers to sequester 11 million tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) in their fields each year. Approximately 70 per cent of all the carbon sequestered by Canadian field crops are via canola crops.
> A flowering canola field creates a yellow canopy that provides a cooling effect by reflecting the sun's light away from the earth.
> Between 1981 and 2011, Canada's canola sector:
> Reduced GHG emissions by 71 per cent
> Reduced energy use by 43 per cent
> Improved land-use efficiency by 31 per cent per tonne of production
> Through innovation, today's herbicide-tolerant varieties of canola have allowed farmers in Canada to reduce the amount of herbicide they use by 20 per cent since 1996.
> Canadian canola is used in biofuel production around the world. When blended into diesel fuel, it can be used by passenger vehicles as well as off-road equipment.
#3 - Canadian canola benefits honeybees
Canadian canola fields and honeybees have a beneficial relationship:
> While canola fields are self-pollinating, studies show that honeybee pollination can increase crop yields by up to 15 per cent. Meanwhile, the plants provide much-needed pollen and shelter for the insects.
> Canola fields are habitats for over 2,000 beneficial insects such as honeybees. Learn more about bees in Canada here.
> Over several decades, canola crops and honeybee colonies have shared a linear increase in numbers.
#4 - Canola farmers in Canada have a clear vision for the future
The Canola Council of Canada has a goal that by 2025 that Canadian canola farmers will:
> Further reduce fuel use by 18 per cent per bushel.
> Decrease the amount of land required to produce one tonne of canola by 40 per cent.
> Sequester an additional 5 million tonnes of GHG emissions a year.
> Utilize world-class (4R) nutrient stewardship practices on 90 per cent of canola acres.
> Continue to safeguard insects that use canola fields and surrounding habitat as homes.
#5 - Canola oil is a heart-healthy oil
> Canola oil's unique oil profile promotes good health with:
> Just 7 per cent saturated fat – the least of the common culinary oil
> No trans saturated fat
> The most plant-based omega-3 fat of any common cooking oil
> High levels of monounsaturated omega-9 fat (oleic acid)
> A source of omega-6 fat
Support for Canadian canola farmers is support for our nation's economic prowess, continued environmental progress and a heart-healthy oil. Canadian canola is an excellent choice whether you're sauteing, stir-frying, grilling, baking, or making a salad dressing.
We invite you to join us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to learn more about how Canadian farmers are an integral part of our communities and country as a whole. If you're making something tasty with Canadian canola, make sure to tag us as well!
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