The demand for diversified, easily transported, carbon-neutral energy from biomass, including 'waste' biomasses, such as sawdust, crop residues and other industrial wastes, is increasing.

Clubroot poses a serious threat to the canola industry in Alberta and western Canada because of its long-lived spores, its ability to rapidly multiply, and its detrimental effect on canola yields.

Researchers in Saskatchewan conducted a three-year project to identify virulence genes in the Leptosphaeria maculans genome, the pathogen that causes blackleg in canola.

Root maggots are serious insect pests of canola across western Canada, and especially throughout central and northern Alberta. Researchers at the University of Alberta initiated a project to develop canola germplasm resistant to infestation by root maggots.

In western Canada, Sclerotinia stem rot continues to be a serious disease of canola. Researchers at the University of Manitoba led a two-year study to assess the risk of sclerotinia stem rot disease on canola based on standard weather conditions and the canopy microclimate.

Early season phosphorus nutrition is critical for optimum crop yield. Researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada conducted a three-year multi-site field study to assess the impact of phosphorus fertilizer applied with and without phosphate-solubilizing inoculant Penicillium bilaii on the growth, phosphorus uptake, yield and quality of canola.

Researchers in Saskatchewan led a three-year study to assess the potential effects of increasing the frequency of canola in rotation on weed abundance, species distribution, community diversity and function in canola-inclusive rotations across western Canada.

Large harvest bags (silo bags) are becoming popular for on-farm temporary storage of grains and oilseeds in western Canada. Researchers at the University of Manitoba conducted a three-year study to quantify the changes in seed quality of canola during bag storage under Canadian Prairie conditions.

Management of stubble height is an inexpensive crop management technique that can have a potentially beneficial impact on seedling germination and emergence.

Growing canola in tighter rotations increases risks and can dramatically decrease yields. Researchers conducted two 6-year studies to determine the agronomic and economic implications of growing canola in "tight" rotations.

Wild oat continues to be the most economically important weed problem in Canada. Researchers conducted a study to determine if diverse rotation treatments combined with other cultural practices would reduce wild oat populations, and if diverse crop rotations would influence wild oat seed bank, soil microbes, and crop quality.

A four-year study initiated in 2010 was conducted in western Canada to investigate the differences in biology of two flea beetle species, Phyllotreta striolata (striped) and P. cruciferae (crucifer), in order to better target management methods.

Canola cropping systems harbour a diverse fauna of arthropods (insects, spiders, mites, and their relatives) at several trophic levels, and understanding their biodiversity can improve the ability to enhance the long-term sustainability of canola production.

Canola seed is a substantial input cost and poor canola stand establishment is a continuing concern for canola growers. On average, only 50% of planted seeds emerge; even when germination is above 90%.

A three-year study was initiated in 2010 by researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to focus on developing novel assessment technologies and crop management tools for control of insects, weeds and diseases in canola.

Canola varieties with high oil content have predominantly replaced low oil content canola grown in western Canada. Researchers in Manitoba conducted a three year study to develop more reliable safe storage guidelines for high oil content canola.

Researchers conducted a three-year project to study the economics of canola production systems including an input study and a rotation study. The results from the input study of a barley-canola rotation indicated the primary input that influences yield was weed control.

Growers may wish to limit herbicide use to reduce costs, crop injury, environmental concerns and herbicide-resistance selection pressure. However, reducing herbicide inputs can increase crop production risks.

Blackleg caused by Leptosphaeria maculans (LM) is a major disease of canola (Brassica napus) in Canada and world-wide. A solid understanding of the pathogenic variability of L. maculans populations is vital to maintaining effective resistance in future canola varieties.

During the winter of 2011-2012, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canola Council of Canada sponsored a survey of canola growers across the three Prairie provinces to determine management practices and inputs used by the growers.