Despite some challenging growing conditions, over three million acres of canola was harvested in Manitoba in 2016, with average yields of about 41 bushels per acre.

Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) President Charles Fossay delivered the news last week at the group's AGM held during CropConnect.

Fossay says farmers were able to harvest most of the crop last fall.

"The wet pockets are mainly in Saskatchewan and Alberta," he commented. "I have heard of a few farmers in the western part of Manitoba but in most cases it's sort of like 40 or 50 acres, maybe a quarter section out there. I would be very surprised if it's over a thousand acres in total sitting outside waiting to be harvested in the spring."

Fossay is hoping to see over 3.2 million canola acres seeded in 2017.

When asked for his thoughts on collaborating more with other groups, Fossay said that MCGA supports the idea, although a full-fledged merger would not be in the best interest of the organization as they are already interconnected with other national and provincial canola groups.

Fossay, from Starbuck, was re-elected president for the upcoming year while Clayton Harder from Narol was re-elected vice president.

Brian Chorney from East Selkirk was re-elected secretary and Curtis McRae from St. Andrews was elected treasurer.

Fossay will also represent MCGA on the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) board of directors.