More Protein in 2006 Canola Harvest

WINNIPEG - Oct 17/06 - SNS -- Oil content of Canada's 2006 canola harvest looks to be similar to last year, while there appears to be significantly higher protein levels in seed, reports D. R. DeClercq, Oilseeds Chemist, Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission (CGC).

As of October 13, the CGC has tested 1,930 samples of new crop canola from across western Canada, including 533 from Manitoba, 958 from Saskatchewan and 439 from Alberta and the Peace River area that is in British Columbia. Results are based on samples tested as of October 13, 2006.

"Currently, overall damage assessment is low. However, later arriving samples could be of lower grade due to higher incidences of damaged seed such as sprouted, frosted or green. Those factors could cause chlorophyll and free fatty acid levels to be higher than in early harvested seed," DeClercq added.

The tests from the preliminary samples reveal the mean oil content at 44.5% for Canola, No.1 Canada. That is similar to last year's crop that had a near record high mean oil content of 44.4% (8.5% moisture basis). The ten-year mean (1996 2005) for Canola, No.1 Canada is 43.0%. In spite of the hot, dry growing conditions we are anticipating an overall above-average oil content.

Seed crude-protein levels have increased significantly to 21.1% (8.5% m.b.) from 20.5% last year, but are close to the 10-year mean of 21.5%. On an oil-free ('meal') basis, protein is now at 41.1% versus 39.8% in 2005. The ten-year mean is 40.6% (oil-free, 8.5% m.b.).

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