The Canadian Prairies have always been an important source for biodiversity, and the canola crop contributes significantly to maintaining biodiversity on the Prairie landscape.
Providing habitats for diverse insects
Canola fields provide a habitat for an incredible diversity of beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, spiders, wasps and beetles.
These diverse insect groups help increase crop yields and provide a natural check on insect pest populations.
Canola farmers use a wide range of tools, such as crop rotations, detailed field scouting and following insect thresholds, to protect these valuable allies.
An ideal home for honey bees
Canola is an ideal food source for honey bees, which can have a positive impact on canola production.
Canola farmers work closely with beekeepers to protect bees and maintain the mutually beneficial relationship between plant and pollinator.
As more acres of Canadian farmland have been seeded with canola over the decades, the number of bees has increased steadily:
Sources
- Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0353-01 Production and value of honey. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca
- Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0359-01 Estimated areas, yield, production, average farm price and total farm value of principal field crops, in metric and imperial units. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca