Winter canola planting is rapidly expanding across the High Plains due to surging renewable diesel demand and proven farm benefits, with U.S. farmers planting nearly 3 million acres in 2026 and wheat-canola rotations increasing profitability by up to 20%.
- U.S. canola acreage reached nearly 3 million acres in 2026, a 27% increase from the previous year
- Kansas and Oklahoma canola acres jumped to over 50,000 acres, up from approximately 15,000 acres three years ago
- Wheat-canola rotations can increase profitability up to 20% more than continuous wheat rotations
- Optimal planting windows are September 1-30 in Kansas and September 10-October 10 in Oklahoma
- Canola provides agronomic benefits including improved weed control, better soil health, and enhanced wheat stand quality
Producers across the High Plains are gearing up to plant winter canola over the next few weeks, spurred by growing renewable diesel demand and proven farm benefits.
Recent Scoular meetings drew farmers interested in adding canola to their wheat rotations as the planting window approaches: Sept. 1-30 in Kansas and Sept. 10-Oct. 10 in Oklahoma.
The timing aligns with a boom in renewable diesel production, which is forecast to reach a record high this year. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects continued increases through 2027 and beyond.
U.S. farmers planted nearly 3 million acres of canola in 2026, up 27% from the year before. In Kansas and Oklahoma, canola acres have jumped to over 50,000, up from about 15,000 acres three years ago.
Canola oil serves as an important renewable diesel feedstock, providing the oil needed to produce a lower-carbon alternative to traditional diesel fuel.
To meet this demand, Scoular opened an oilseed crush facility in Goodland, Kansas, two years ago with capacity to crush hundreds of thousands of canola acres.
“A wheat-canola rotation can increase profitability up to 20% more than a continuous wheat rotation,” said Jeff Frazier, Scoular market development manager. He shared management advice and resources this month at producer meetings in Enid, Oklahoma, and Kingman, Kansas.
Joe Hadwiger, who farms in north-central Oklahoma and grows winter canola, said he has experienced increased profits on his wheat acres because of his canola rotation. The rotation also helped keep weeds down on his wheat acres and makes his soil healthier.
“That big tap root on canola just makes the soil work a little better and opens it up,” Hadwiger said.
While adding canola to a wheat rotation can require new management practices, a barrier for some producers, Scoular provides tools and training through its Canola MVP program. The company also offers delivery points across Oklahoma and Kansas.
“Scoular will connect producers with resources, so they will be confident in planting winter canola and experience the benefits,” Frazier said. “Along with the market opportunities, many growers also see agronomic benefits from the rotation, including improved wheat stands and forage quality for grazing. Seed genetics also have come a long way in recent years, resulting in a more resilient canola crop.”
