Past the Canola Fields
Before I came to Australia, I had heard of Canola, knew it was ingredient in some things, but never knew much about it.
This day, we were headed north, away from Perth, and to three different Wildflower reserves, and that meant we would pass a few canola fields.
Canola has become an important crop in Western Australia (WA), with production in 2015 being 1.8 million tonnes worth 1.53 billion to the state economy. Nearly all WA canola production is exported, predominantly into Asia for human use and to Europe for biofuels.
Canola is Western Australia’s third largest crop after wheat and barley with production increasing to well over one million tonnes over the past five years on the back of rising world demand and prices.
WA is the dominant Australian state for canola production, accounting for around 40% of the nation’s five year average production of 3.4 million tonnes.
WA has a reputation for producing canola with a high oil content, often 2-4% above other states.
As well as being profitable in its own right canola has become the most important break crop in WA cereal production systems – overtaking lupin due to higher profitability and better weed control options.
Western Australian canola is grown using sustainable farming systems that can be certified to meet sustainability criteria required to access the European Union markets.
Having said all that…it’s also quite lovely.
It doesn’t get much prettier than this, a sea of yellow canola, with a great big Western Australia sky.
Even though our trip north was totally about the wildflowers and orchids we would see, I am glad we had views like this along the way.
At present there are two locally based canola crushing operations and both are small by international industry standards. These are located at Pinjarra and Kojonup. Between the two local crushers, there is about 60 000 tonnes of canola seed per year processed – representing about eight 8% of the state’s total canola production.
And finding the orchids begins. Ericksonella saccharata – Sugar Orchid Always a fun find. They are so delicate.
Well this orchid seems to be the one you always see. I thought this one was special, rather pale and just in the perfect spot for a photo: Caladenia flava – Cowslip Orchid.
White spider orchids, against a termite mount. So typical of what you see out in the wild. Not always this many in one spot, though.
John went to a remembered spot from years before…it was rather hidden but there was the dancing orchid! Caladenia discoidea.
I had my macro lens, so why not get in a little closer?
We saw a few of these today: Pterostylis recurva – Jug Orchid
These little guys are always so cute: Pterostylis nana, Snail orchids.
Yet another sugar orchid.
More spiders, they look so happy. Another set in a group.
It’s not just canola we have to drive past in Western Australia, there is also sheep…
…and tree lined red gravel roads…
…canola fields snuggled between trees…
… A noticeable one tree hill…
…a play of shadows and sun on the hills and valleys…
….and windmills, sheep in the Patterson’s curse (a weed) …
Yet another jug orchid.
Julimar was full of these: Canicula sericea – Silky Blue Orchid
Hard to believe the orchid wonderland is Western Australia. Too many orchids and not enough time…and it’s a big state, too big, to see them all….But we’re going to try. 🙂
