News
November 03, 2025
Conventional OP a no-brainer oilseed option for Fels family at Esperance
Mic Fels, Esperance, talks up the benefits of using an OP canola.
**Esperance Farmer Finds Success with Open-Pollinated Canola, Calling it a "No-Brainer"**
Esperance farmer Mic Fels is singing the praises of open-pollinated (OP) canola, declaring it a "no-brainer" option for his family's farming operation. In a region known for its diverse agricultural landscape, Fels' experience highlights the potential benefits of choosing conventional varieties over hybrid options, particularly when considering cost-effectiveness and farm-saved seed.
While hybrid canola varieties have gained popularity for their potentially higher yields and specific traits, Fels has found that OP canola provides a reliable and economically sound solution for his needs. He emphasizes the advantage of being able to save seed from his harvest for subsequent plantings. This significantly reduces input costs, a crucial factor in maintaining profitability, especially in years with unpredictable weather patterns or fluctuating market prices.
"For us, it's about finding the right balance," Fels explained. "Hybrid canola certainly has its place, but the ability to retain and replant seed from our OP canola crop makes a huge difference to our bottom line. It simplifies things and gives us more control over our inputs."
The benefits of farm-saved seed extend beyond just cost savings. It also allows farmers like Fels to adapt their seed selection to their specific environment and farming practices over time. By selecting seed from the best-performing plants in each harvest, farmers can gradually improve the resilience and suitability of their canola crop to their local conditions. This process of natural selection can lead to varieties that are uniquely adapted to the Esperance region.
While some growers may be concerned about potential yield differences between OP and hybrid canola, Fels believes that good management practices and careful variety selection can help bridge the gap. He emphasizes the importance of factors such as optimal planting time, adequate fertilization, and effective weed control to maximize the yield potential of OP canola.
Fels' endorsement of OP canola serves as a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all solution in agriculture. The best choice of canola variety ultimately depends on the individual farmer's circumstances, priorities, and risk tolerance. For the Fels family, the economic advantages and increased autonomy offered by OP canola have made it a clear winner. His experience is likely to encourage other farmers in the Esperance region to consider the potential benefits of conventional canola varieties.
Esperance farmer Mic Fels is singing the praises of open-pollinated (OP) canola, declaring it a "no-brainer" option for his family's farming operation. In a region known for its diverse agricultural landscape, Fels' experience highlights the potential benefits of choosing conventional varieties over hybrid options, particularly when considering cost-effectiveness and farm-saved seed.
While hybrid canola varieties have gained popularity for their potentially higher yields and specific traits, Fels has found that OP canola provides a reliable and economically sound solution for his needs. He emphasizes the advantage of being able to save seed from his harvest for subsequent plantings. This significantly reduces input costs, a crucial factor in maintaining profitability, especially in years with unpredictable weather patterns or fluctuating market prices.
"For us, it's about finding the right balance," Fels explained. "Hybrid canola certainly has its place, but the ability to retain and replant seed from our OP canola crop makes a huge difference to our bottom line. It simplifies things and gives us more control over our inputs."
The benefits of farm-saved seed extend beyond just cost savings. It also allows farmers like Fels to adapt their seed selection to their specific environment and farming practices over time. By selecting seed from the best-performing plants in each harvest, farmers can gradually improve the resilience and suitability of their canola crop to their local conditions. This process of natural selection can lead to varieties that are uniquely adapted to the Esperance region.
While some growers may be concerned about potential yield differences between OP and hybrid canola, Fels believes that good management practices and careful variety selection can help bridge the gap. He emphasizes the importance of factors such as optimal planting time, adequate fertilization, and effective weed control to maximize the yield potential of OP canola.
Fels' endorsement of OP canola serves as a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all solution in agriculture. The best choice of canola variety ultimately depends on the individual farmer's circumstances, priorities, and risk tolerance. For the Fels family, the economic advantages and increased autonomy offered by OP canola have made it a clear winner. His experience is likely to encourage other farmers in the Esperance region to consider the potential benefits of conventional canola varieties.
Category:
Politics