New canola strain being field tested in Montana, release expected in 2027

A new canola variety is being field tested in Montana with anticipated release of the new seed by BASF in 2027.

The new seed, InVigor Gold, is designed to unlock the full genetic potential of canola quality Brassica juncea in new areas of Canada and the United States.

The variety is expected to feature hybrids with LibertyLink herbicide tolerance, inherent pod shatter resistance, and blackleg disease resistance.

“InVigor Gold also features outstanding heat tolerance, allowing farmers to utilize land that may have been fallow or idle, providing a new income source for farmers and the agriculture channel,” BASF noted.

“BASF is committed to helping farmers do the biggest job on Earth through innovation, and we are thrilled to add to our trusted family of InVigor products with InVigor Gold,” said Bryan Perry, head of U.S. Seeds and Traits for BASF. “InVigor Gold will unlock the full genetic potential of canola in new areas and help farmers improve yield performance through better tolerance to heat as compared to traditional canola hybrids.”

As demonstrated in BASF’s trials, InVigor Gold delivers heat tolerance and yield stability that will allow these hybrids to grow in hotter and drier environments and in lower organic soil compared to other canola hybrids. Across 23 trials from 2022 through 2024 in the “brown soil zone” in Canada and the Northern Great Plains, on average, InVigor Gold outyielded the traditional canola by 8 percent.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte said he is encouraged by the innovation and how it may be able to help Montana.

“Agriculture is our number one industry in Montana, and we’re proud of our rich, generational history of feeding the world and providing world-class products,” he said. “As demand continues to rise, innovation and the tireless work of Montana farmers will continue to move the agriculture industry forward. I’m grateful for BASF and their shared commitment to innovation, as the introduction of InVigor Gold will support our canola farmers and bolster our economy.”

BASF spokesman Matt Smith said that the company expects the canola market to grow in Montana and may provide a valuable alternative to the current Brassica napus species. In addition to its higher tolerance to heat and earlier flowering period, the new seed is also designed to be used with the Liberty Ultra herbicide that provides an alternative for kochia weeds that are becoming resistant to other herbicides.

“We believe the total market for canola will grow significantly, especially as a source for renewable fuels,” Smith said. “It’s also a nice fit for a grower who wants to get into Liberty Ultra as a different mode of action for kochia.”

Updates on the seed’s availability and field test data can be found at basf.com.