Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
July 28, 2025
As winter canola harvest wraps up across the Mid-South, farmers are exceeding yield expectations for a second year with an average yield of 53 bu/A with Pioneer® brand winter canola hybrids.*
Corteva Agriscience, along with Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables LLC, launched the winter canola program two years ago to provide farmers an alternative for winter crop rotation.
Farmers from Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Illinois and Missouri participated in the program this season, adding an additional revenue stream to their operations while producing a crop that helps meet demand for renewable fuels. The program will continue for the 2025-2026 season, with the sign-up deadline of August 1, 2025.
Chad Berghoefer, Corteva Agriscience Global Product Director, Biofuels, said the number of participating farms increased six-fold from the commercial pilot to this second season, and Pioneer brand hybrids impressed farmers yet again.
“We’ve been riding combines with growers, and it has been a great winter canola harvest this year,” Berghoefer said. “Overall, growers are seeing excellent yields. They are happy about the program and planning to increase acres next year.”
West Tennessee farmer Jamison Turner has planted Pioneer brand winter canola for the past two seasons as a way to increase revenue while enhancing soil health. He typically plants winter wheat but said winter canola is a great alternative, especially when comparing economics between crops.
“We’ve had a really good experience with winter canola with tons of help and support from Corteva and Bunge,” Turner said. “The first year we yielded 63 bu/A across 500 acres and only budgeted for 40-45 bu/A, so we exceeded our goals. With relatively the same input costs as wheat, we’re netting more per acre on winter canola – it’s a no brainer.”
Based on university trials, 45 to 55 bu/A is a common target yield for winter canola in this geography. The program began two years ago in Tennessee and Kentucky, and Berghoefer pointed out that both states averaged 55 bu/A this season, improving yield averages from the pilot season.
“We still have a lot to learn about how we can push this crop to maximize yield potential, but growers have been astounded at the hardiness of the crop and the potential to add new revenue to their farms in our current ag economy,” Berghoefer said.
As the program wraps this season, Berghoefer said they’ve learned a few things that will help increase yield potential in the future.
“Timing of planting is important because getting a good stand sets the stage for yield potential at harvest,” he said. “We’ve also seen a benefit in earlier nitrogen applications as well as the addition of fungicide applications to control white mold, where needed.”
Pioneer field agronomists work with program participants to help set up equipment at planting and harvest, and participants receive agronomic updates via text messages and emails for real-time management tips and reminders.
New hybrids hold promise for even higher yield potential
For the 2025-2026 season, Pioneer will offer two new hybrids – Pioneer® brand PT 314 and PT 315 – both with pod shatter tolerance to help increase yield potential.
“During winter canola harvest, the combine or high winds can sometimes cause pod shatter,” Berghoefer said. “These newer hybrids hold on to pods later in the season to increase yield potential through harvest. We’re excited about where we are today, and we have very much upwards potential with this crop.”
“Growers may wonder if they should plant winter canola because they haven’t grown a winter crop in a long time – or maybe never,” Berghoefer continued. “But there has not been a better time to plant winter canola. These hybrids are proven, there is a guaranteed buyer, Bunge makes delivery easy, and growers are receiving checks in a timely manner. We are seeing even more growers join the program for the 2026 harvest.”
Farmers can learn more about the program and sign up by contacting their local Bunge representative. To learn more about selecting and managing Pioneer brand winter canola hybrids, contact your local Pioneer field agronomist or retailer.
We can schedule a time for you to interview about this or other topics. Please contact Caroline Ahn at caroline.ahn@corteva.com.
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* Pioneer® brand winter canola yielded an average of 53 bu/A from approximately 66 farms in AL, IL, KY, MO and TN that were harvested in 2025 as of July 1, 2025, with data submitted via scale tickets.
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