It requires ideal overwintering conditions and is less winter hardy than winter wheat. The oil is used mainly for edible purposes such as margarine and salad and cooking oils while the meal is used as a protein supplement in animal feed. Initially canola oil was marketed as a cheaper oil but more recently has enjoyed new popularity and increased demand due to its low level of saturated fats. High FFA levels in the oil have been a major concern in Ontario-grown spring canola. They occur in years when canola is subjected to severe heat and drought stress, particularly when that stress occurs during seed development.
Some varieties appear more susceptible to forming high levels of free fatty acids than others.
Growing a recommended varieties does not guarantee low levels of free fatty acids, because it is not possible to predict stress. However, growing a recommended variety will reduce the possibility of high FFA and minimize the risk that crushers will refuse to accept or severely discount loads of canola because of FFA's. It is not as tolerant to drought as cereals and does not perform well on wet soils. Groundhogs can be a major problem as they feed on canola. Spring canola should be seeded as early as possible.