Q: Does canola require bees for pollination?

A: No, canola is a self-pollinated crop and does not require bee pollination. However, as the flowers are yellow, both nectar and pollen are abundant, and the crop flowers prior to many other crops, canola can become a "bee magnet" and draw bees from near-by areas. This can be problematic if the another crop is a less desirable food source for bees but does require bee pollination.

Q: I've heard that many canolas are Roundup Ready and thus genetically modified organism (GMO) crops. Is this true?

A: Like corn, soybean and a number of other crops, canola has both Roundup Ready (GMO) and non Roundup ready (non-GMO) types. GMO canolas are being grown in the Columbia Basin. The canola being grown in research plots in the Willamette Valley this year is the variety Athena. This is a non-GMO variety that was developed by the University of Idaho. The UI has many well-adapted non-GMO varieties that could be grown in areas of Oregon where GMO crops are a concern. Many breeding programs around the world are also producing non-GMO canolas.