Canola Remains Attractive North Dakota Crop

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - High market prices are making canola an even more attractive option next spring in North Dakota, which produces nearly all of the nation's crop.

Canada is the world-leader in production of the oilseed, and weather problems there this year have reduced supplies and pushed up prices to about $21 per hundred pounds. Agweek reports that farmers are locking in contracts for next year's crop at the same price.

Officials say surging prices for competing crops also are a factor, because the canola industry wants to ensure enough acres of the crop next year to meet demand.

North Dakota farmers last year produced just under 1.3 million acres of canola, just shy of the record set in 2001 and 2002.

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