‘Olympics of the canola industry’ 14th International Rapeseed Congress

Every four years the stars of the canola / rapeseed industry come together from around the world to discuss new research, challenges and opportunities. More than 850 participants from 30 countries are converging on TCU Place in Saskatoon for the 14th International Rapeseed Congress (IRC 2015). The event is co-hosted by Ag-West Bio and the Canola Council of Canada.

Keith Downey will deliver the opening keynote. Downey is known as one of the “Fathers of Canola,” for his role in developing the first canola varieties while he was a plant breeder at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Among his many awards, he is an Officer of the Order of Canada and has been inducted into both the Saskatchewan and Canadian Agricultural Halls of Fame.

Five Congress keynote speakers and 30 thematic keynote speakers will deliver a clear overview of the industry, from agronomics, to production, regulatory and marketing, and end use of these valuable crops. There will also be 175 scientific presentations and more than 350 research posters on display.

Opportunities and challenges will be discussed by the world’s most renowned canola and rapeseed experts. Hot topics like precision agriculture, ‘big data,’ and omega-3 in canola, to herbicide resistant weeds, neonicotinoids and genetic modification, will be explored.

Wilf Keller, President and CEO of Ag-West Bio and President of the International Consultative Group for Research on Rapeseed, a European-based organization which oversees the Congress, says he is thrilled that Saskatoon is hosting this important event.

“IRC is the most important canola and rapeseed event in the world, bringing together the top scientists to discuss cutting edge research – and it’s happening here in Saskatoon. That’s pretty exciting!”

Keller is co-chair of the 14th International Rapeseed Congress along with Patti Miller, President of the Canola Council of Canada. “Canola is one of Canada’s most valuable crops, generating $19.3 billion for the country’s economy,” says Miller. “The IRC is a unique and important opportunity for industry leaders to meet, network and share innovative ideas that can help advance the industry.”