Canola (Rapeseed)

Oregon has established protected districts for the production of canola, a variety of rapeseed. Protected districts do not allow canola production except under special conditions.

The protected districts include:

Willamette Valley Protected District
Central Oregon Protected District
Northeast Oregon Protected District
Malheur/Idaho Protected District

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Willamette Valley Protected District

Following the passage of HB 4059 by the 2024 Oregon Legislature, ODA can only permit up to 500 acres of canola fields in the Willamette Valley Protected District.

Applications are due by June 30 for the following crop year (e.g. June 30, 2026 for crop year 2027) - CanolaGrowerApp.pdf
ODA contacts those applicants who may need an Isolation Distance Exception as soon as possible.
Permits are issued by August 10.

Resources

2017 OSU Report for HB 2427: Willamette Valley Protected District
Oregon State University report produced with funding from 2013 House Bill 2427 provided to assess the potential for co-existence between canola and other Brassicaceae seed crops in the Willamette Valley.
2018 Recommendations to Consider for Coexistence between Canola and Specialty Seed Production in the Willamette Valley (HB 3382)
2023 SB 789 Report to the Legislature
Report provides recommendations for potential legislation to create a program to identify Brassica seed crop fields in the Willamette Valley Protected District, aiming to reduce conflicts associated with Brassica seed crop production.
2024 - Summary of the Fall 2024 Conversations on Canola in the Willamette Valley Protected District
In fall 2024, the Governor’s Office and Oregon Department of Agriculture convened a small group to explore canola coexistence in the Willamette Valley. The group met five times from October to December, with Kearns & West summarizing the process, discussions, and outcomes.
Canola protected districts map
To check if an address falls within one of the protected districts.
Oregon Administrative Rules: Brassicaceae Production Districts and Rapeseed Control Areas
Scroll to OAR 603-052-0860 through 0921