(June 2008) The Chicago Board of Trade posted corn futures at nearly $7 a bushel for July 2009 earlier this month, so if your alfalfa fields are underperforming, now might be a good time to start thinking about rotating in corn or even canola as the demand for ethanol and biodiesel is rapidly increasing.

"A lot of alfalfa fields are underperforming in the Northeast because growers often wait a year or two too long to replant their stand," says Ron Brown, CROPLAN GENETICS® district sales manager. "Since new markets for corn have increased demand, growers might want to consider taking their nitrogen credits complements of the alfalfa and applying them to corn or canola next year."

Ethanol has been getting the spotlight in the alternative fuel movement in recent years, but the growing interest in biodiesel is leading to canola's resurgence as a potential crop for some producers.

"Canola is valuable both as a cash crop and as part of crop rotations," Brown adds. "It has a solid reputation for improving soil tilth, organic matter and structure. Because of fast breakdown and easy residue management, canola is ideal as part of a no-till or minimum-till farming operation, and the development of herbicide-tolerant systems also makes it a valuable weed-management tool."

Canola seeds are about 40 percent oil and the crop can produce 3,000 to 3,500 pounds per acre. It also has some potential for grazing and can be used to rid fields of grass troubles.

CROPLAN GENETICS® seed offers diverse canola seed characteristics and options for you to choose from. Ask your local CROPLAN GENETICS® seed specialist for help in selecting the variety or varieties for your precise conditions and check out your local Answer Plot® location as a third-party source to help sort out the other brands and find the answers for your toughest field.