Theses and Dissertations Collection

Pacific Northwest (PNW) agriculture is dominated by small grain cereal production systems. Ranking highest in national wheat yield per area plus more than 100 years of experience growing wheat might explain why agriculture is one dimensional in this region. However, there is growing concern about the reliance on small grain cereal production because cereal pest and grass weed pressure continues to increase; increasing the cost of production and lowering yields. Diversifying production systems increases soil health and small grain cereal yields but has not been shown to be the most economically successful strategy to help farmers meet their bottom line. There are limited successful alternative crops adapted to the Pacific Northwest climate. Grain legume and Brassica crops have shown the greatest potential for rotating with winter wheat, the most predominate cereal crop. Brassica species are grown on limited hectares because farmers’ lack familiarity with the crop, and because of a history of crop failure. However, Brassica crops like canola have unique sustainability rotation benefits and have greater yield potential in the PNW than any other US area. This study is designed to analyze the viability of canola in winter wheat rotations compared to other rotation strategies and to determine best management practices that will optimize production and grower returns of canola in the PNW.