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BASF unveils new yellow-seeded canola hybrid

BASF is launching new canola seed technology that could expand crop acres in the U.S.

Bryan Perry, U.S. head of seeds and traits, tells Brownfield the new hybrid, InVigor Gold, is yellow-seeded canola, which has been bred for hotter and drier climates with poor soil quality. “When we’ve really had our proof of concept with our product, like what we’re looking at in the field here today, we’ve seen about an 8 percent yield benefit over traditional canola.”

He says there’s more demand for better sustainable, oil crops and adding canola to rotations could improve bottom lines. “If it’s a wheat fallow rotation, they’ve never grown canola because they couldn’t, could we bring in a crop that has 1,500 pounds of yield potential? That would be about $350 per acre of revenue that they’re letting the ground sit idle.”

Perry says the product will be available in the Montana and North Dakota regions in 2027 but will likely expand east by the end of the decade. “We’ve seen really good results in Kansas, for example, in the central Great Plains. We’re doing testing in South Dakota and Nebraska and other geographies. What we’re seeing right now is we’re very optimistic.”

Marc Hoobler, U.S. canola agronomy lead, says 3 year trials in western Kansas have shown promising results. “Right now, the winter canola acres in Kansas have kind of bounced around a little bit. We have significant issues with winter kill. So, because this is a spring planted crop, we feel like it’s going to have a nice fit in a wheat crop rotation or wheat cropping system.”

BASF says trials have shown that the hybrid improves soil health, weed management and oil quality.

Bryan Perry, U.S. head of seeds and traits:

Marc Hoobler, U.S. canola agronomy lead:

Matt Smith, seed agronomist: