Glacier FarmMedia – Canola’s yield plateau isn’t just a weather story, says BASF agronomist Clinton Jurke.



Management decisions, particularly around nutrients, may be playing a bigger role than many growers realize.



WHY IT MATTERS: Canola yields have stalled across the Prairies, and research suggests management choices, especially around fertility and input intensity, may be reinforcing that plateau.



<a href="https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/crops/one-change-to-improve-prairie-canola-yield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canola yields</a> across the Prairies have largely stopped climbing over the past decade, settling into an average in the low 40 bushels per acre range after years of steady gains.



Yield data since 2016 show similar flattening across spring wheat, barley and field peas, suggesting a broader constraint affecting cool-season crops. Weather is the explanation most often cited for the slowdown, and Jurke doesn’t dispute it.



“Weather caused the plateau,” Jurke told an audience at the <a href="https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/manitoba-agronomists-conference" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manitoba Agronomists Conference</a> late last year.



“But why was it 40? Why was it not 42, 45 or 50? That’s where things become more interesting.”



Jurke, who previously worked with the Canola Council of Canada, said at a national level, fertilizer-use surveys show average fertility programs appear calibrated to maintain the plateau rather than push beyond it.



<a href="https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/crops/rdar-ofcaf-pause-may-2026-program-changes/"></a>He stressed this is not a criticism of individual farms. Fertility strategies vary widely across the Prairies, and many growers are already managing for higher yield potential.



“But at a macro level, this is what we’re feeding,” he said.



“We’re at the 40 bu. mark because we’re feeding a 40 bu. crop.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The complete package</h2>



That pattern is reinforced by long-term research.



<a href="https://www.gcirc.org/fileadmin/documents/Proceedings/IRCPrague2011vol1/crop%20management/391-394.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A multi-year study</a> led by Agriculture Canada in the 2010s compared canola systems using what researchers described as a “full package” and an “empty package” of inputs.



The full-package system combined strong genetics, higher seeding rates, adequate fertility and robust weed control. The empty-package system did the opposite, cutting seed quality, fertilizer and herbicide use.



The results were clear. Full-package systems produced the highest yields and the strongest profitability.



When inputs were dialed back, yields declined, but profitability often fell even faster. Cutting fertility caused the largest yield penalty of all.



“This is an important realization, and why I like to communicate this particular study,” said Jurke.



Reducing inputs can feel like prudent risk management, particularly when weather-driven uncertainty is high, but Jurke said the data suggest that approach often works against growers in canola, which responds best when best management practices are applied together rather than selectively.



Jurke said the contrast is evident when looking at how canola responded to hybridization and herbicide tolerance in the late 1990s and early 2000s, compared with its struggle to break out of the current range.



The tools that drove earlier gains are still in place, but they only deliver when growers are willing to invest across the full management package.



“Anytime we have growers considering dialing back, they’re potentially putting themselves in a situation where they’re reducing their productive capacity,” Jurke said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Beyond fertility</h2>



Factors beyond fertility also contribute to yield drag.



National data suggest disease pressure, including blackleg and verticillium stripe, is trimming a couple of bushels from average yields. Tight rotations add further pressure because shorter breaks between canola crops increase stress and reduce resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Managing for the plateau</h2>



Jurke said the broader lesson remains straightforward. Managing conservatively may reduce risk in the short term, but it can also lock the crop into a lower-yield, lower-return equilibrium.



– This article was originally published in the <a href="https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/digital-edition/alberta-farmer-express/2026-04-28/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">April 28, 2026 issue of the Alberta Farmer Express</a>.

Glacier FarmMedia – Canola’s yield plateau isn’t just a weather story, says BASF agronomist Clinton Jurke. Management decisions, particularly around nutrients, may be playing a bigger role than many growers realize. WHY IT MATTERS: Canola yields have stalled across the Prairies, and research suggests management choices, especially around fertility and input intensity, may be reinforcing that plateau. Canola yields across the Prairies have largely stopped climbing over the past decade, settling into an average in the low 40 bushels per acre range after years of steady gains. Yield data since 2016 show similar flattening across spring wheat, barley and field peas, suggesting a broader constraint affecting cool-season crops. Weather is the explanation most often cited for the slowdown, and Jurke doesn’t dispute it. “Weather caused the plateau,” Jurke told an audience at the Manitoba Agronomists Conference late last year. “But why was it 40? Why was it not 42, 45 or 50? That’s where things become more interesting.” Jurke, who previously worked with the Canola Council of Canada, said at a national level, fertilizer-use surveys show average fertility programs appear calibrated to maintain the plateau rather than push beyond it. He stressed this is not a criticism of individual farms. Fertility strategies vary widely across the Prairies, and many growers are already managing for higher yield potential. “But at a macro level, this is what we’re feeding,” he said. “We’re at the 40 bu. mark because we’re feeding a 40 bu. crop.” The complete package That pattern is reinforced by long-term research. A multi-year study led by Agriculture Canada in the 2010s compared canola systems using what researchers described as a “full package” and an “empty package” of inputs. The full-package system combined strong genetics, higher seeding rates, adequate fertility and robust weed control. The empty-package system did the opposite, cutting seed quality, fertilizer and herbicide use. The results were clear. Full-package systems produced the highest yields and the strongest profitability. When inputs were dialed back, yields declined, but profitability often fell even faster. Cutting fertility caused the largest yield penalty of all. “This is an important realization, and why I like to communicate this particular study,” said Jurke. Reducing inputs can feel like prudent risk management, particularly when weather-driven uncertainty is high, but Jurke said the data suggest that approach often works against growers in canola, which responds best when best management practices are applied together rather than selectively. Jurke said the contrast is evident when looking at how canola responded to hybridization and herbicide tolerance in the late 1990s and early 2000s, compared with its struggle to break out of the current range. The tools that drove earlier gains are still in place, but they only deliver when growers are willing to invest across the full management package. “Anytime we have growers considering dialing back, they’re potentially putting themselves in a situation where they’re reducing their productive capacity,” Jurke said. Beyond fertility Factors beyond fertility also contribute to yield drag. National data suggest disease pressure, including blackleg and verticillium stripe, is trimming a couple of bushels from average yields. Tight rotations add further pressure because shorter breaks between canola crops increase stress and reduce resilience. Managing for the plateau Jurke said the broader lesson remains straightforward. Managing conservatively may reduce risk in the short term, but it can also lock the crop into a lower-yield, lower-return equilibrium. – This article was originally published in the April 28, 2026 issue of the Alberta Farmer Express.

Glacier FarmMedia – Canola’s yield plateau isn’t just a weather story, says BASF agronomist Clinton Jurke.



Management decisions, particularly around nutrients, may be playing a bigger role than many growers realize.



WHY IT MATTERS: Canola yields have stalled across the Prairies, and research suggests management choices, especially around fertility and input intensity, may be reinforcing that plateau.



<a href="https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/crops/one-change-to-improve-prairie-canola-yield/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Canola yields</a>&nbsp;across the Prairies have largely stopped climbing over the past decade, settling into an average in the low 40 bushels per acre range after years of steady gains.



Yield data since 2016 show similar flattening across spring wheat, barley and field peas, suggesting a broader constraint affecting cool-season crops. Weather is the explanation most often cited for the slowdown, and Jurke doesn’t dispute it.



“Weather caused the plateau,” Jurke told an audience at the&nbsp;<a href="https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/manitoba-agronomists-conference" rel="noopener noreferrer">Manitoba Agronomists Conference</a>&nbsp;late last year.



“But why was it 40? Why was it not 42, 45 or 50? That’s where things become more interesting.”



Jurke, who previously worked with the Canola Council of Canada, said at a national level, fertilizer-use surveys show average fertility programs appear calibrated to maintain the plateau rather than push beyond it.



<a href="https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/crops/rdar-ofcaf-pause-may-2026-program-changes/" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>He stressed this is not a criticism of individual farms. Fertility strategies vary widely across the Prairies, and many growers are already managing for higher yield potential.



“But at a macro level, this is what we’re feeding,” he said.



“We’re at the 40 bu. mark because we’re feeding a 40 bu. crop.”



The complete package



That pattern is reinforced by long-term research.



<a href="https://www.gcirc.org/fileadmin/documents/Proceedings/IRCPrague2011vol1/crop%20management/391-394.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">A multi-year study</a>&nbsp;led by Agriculture Canada in the 2010s compared canola systems using what researchers described as a “full package” and an “empty package” of inputs.



The full-package system combined strong genetics, higher seeding rates, adequate fertility and robust weed control. The empty-package system did the opposite, cutting seed quality, fertilizer and herbicide use.



The results were clear. Full-package systems produced the highest yields and the strongest profitability.



When inputs were dialed back, yields declined, but profitability often fell even faster. Cutting fertility caused the largest yield penalty of all.



“This is an important realization, and why I like to communicate this particular study,” said Jurke.



Reducing inputs can feel like prudent risk management, particularly when weather-driven uncertainty is high, but Jurke said the data suggest that approach often works against growers in canola, which responds best when best management practices are applied together rather than selectively.



Jurke said the contrast is evident when looking at how canola responded to hybridization and herbicide tolerance in the late 1990s and early 2000s, compared with its struggle to break out of the current range.



The tools that drove earlier gains are still in place, but they only deliver when growers are willing to invest across the full management package.



“Anytime we have growers considering dialing back, they’re potentially putting themselves in a situation where they’re reducing their productive capacity,” Jurke said.



Beyond fertility



Factors beyond fertility also contribute to yield drag.



National data suggest disease pressure, including blackleg and verticillium stripe, is trimming a couple of bushels from average yields. Tight rotations add further pressure because shorter breaks between canola crops increase stress and reduce resilience.



Managing for the plateau



Jurke said the broader lesson remains straightforward. Managing conservatively may reduce risk in the short term, but it can also lock the crop into a lower-yield, lower-return equilibrium.



– This article was originally published in the <a href="https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/digital-edition/alberta-farmer-express/2026-04-28/" rel="noopener noreferrer">April 28, 2026 issue of the Alberta Farmer Express</a>.

Why canola yields may be stuck near 40 bushels per acre

Between The Rows is a weekly podcast that gives you an in-depth look at the latest agricultural news and market insights. Produced by the editorial team of Glacier FarmMedia, this program taps into the expertise of our staff, drawing from over 20 print and online brands to provide you with detailed analysis of the most significant developments in agriculture today.
Each 25-30 minute episode features a rotating group of hosts, including Laura Rance, Glacier FarmMedia Editorial Director; Gord Gilmour, Manitoba Co-operator Editor; Ed White, Western Producer Reporter & Analyst; Dave Bedard, AGCanada.com Daily News Editor; and Robert Arnason, Western Producer Reporter. Together, they bring you comprehensive coverage of two or more of the week’s most critical ag stories, with an expert market analysis from one of our top analysts.
Between The Rows takes you beyond the printed page, offering deeper insights into the issues that directly affect today’s producers.

Between The Rows is a weekly podcast that gives you an in-depth look at the latest agricultural news and market insights. Produced by the editorial team of Glacier FarmMedia, this program taps into the expertise of our staff, drawing from over 20 print and online brands to provide you with detailed analysis of the most significant developments in agriculture today. Each 25-30 minute episode features a rotating group of hosts, including Laura Rance, Glacier FarmMedia Editorial Director; Gord Gilmour, Manitoba Co-operator Editor; Ed White, Western Producer Reporter & Analyst; Dave Bedard, AGCanada.com Daily News Editor; and Robert Arnason, Western Producer Reporter. Together, they bring you comprehensive coverage of two or more of the week’s most critical ag stories, with an expert market analysis from one of our top analysts. Between The Rows takes you beyond the printed page, offering deeper insights into the issues that directly affect today’s producers.

Between The Rows is a weekly podcast that gives you an in-depth look at the latest agricultural news and market insights. Produced by the editorial team of Glacier FarmMedia, this program taps into the expertise of our staff, drawing from over 20 print and online brands to provide you with detailed analysis of the most significant developments in agriculture today.
Each 25-30 minute episode features a rotating group of hosts, including Laura Rance, Glacier FarmMedia Editorial Director; Gord Gilmour, Manitoba Co-operator Editor; Ed White, Western Producer Reporter &amp; Analyst; Dave Bedard, AGCanada.com Daily News Editor; and Robert Arnason, Western Producer Reporter. Together, they bring you comprehensive coverage of two or more of the week’s most critical ag stories, with an expert market analysis from one of our top analysts.
Between The Rows takes you beyond the printed page, offering deeper insights into the issues that directly affect today’s producers.

MarketsFarm morning radio show, March 19

An exploration of Ag innovation with stories and information drawn from pages of The Western Producer’s December 29th edition on Ag innovation edition.
Host:
Laura Rance, Glacier FarmMedia, Editorial Director
Contributors;
The Western Producer Livestock Editor, Barb Glenn, Country Guide Editor, Tom Button, Grainews Farm Machinery Editor, Scott Garvey and Commodity News Service Market Analyst, Phil Franz-Warkentin

An exploration of Ag innovation with stories and information drawn from pages of The Western Producer’s December 29th edition on Ag innovation edition. Host: Laura Rance, Glacier FarmMedia, Editorial Director Contributors; The Western Producer Livestock Editor, Barb Glenn, Country Guide Editor, Tom Button, Grainews Farm Machinery Editor, Scott Garvey and Commodity News Service Market Analyst, Phil Franz-Warkentin

An exploration of Ag innovation with stories and&nbsp;information drawn from pages of The Western Producer’s December 29th edition on Ag innovation edition.
Host:
Laura Rance, Glacier FarmMedia, Editorial Director
Contributors;
The Western Producer Livestock Editor, Barb Glenn, Country Guide Editor, Tom Button, Grainews Farm Machinery Editor, Scott Garvey and Commodity News Service Market Analyst, Phil Franz-Warkentin

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