April 10, 2025
Mr. Kustoff (for himself, Mr. Strong, and Mr. Mann) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out research and development with respect to winter canola, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Winter Canola Study Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Purposes and findings
(a) Purposes
The purposes of this Act are the following:
(1)
To ensure the continued growth of clean and sustainable feedstocks, supported by new crop insurance products that recognize double-cropping systems.
(2)
To recognize the importance and regionality characteristics of winter canola grown rotationally or as a double-crop and the economic and environmental benefits to producers.
(3)
To recognize that by investing in lower carbon-intensity renewable fuels, such as those produced from winter canola crops, the United States can provide sustainable fuels, create jobs, enhance our rural communities, and bolster our national security.
(b) Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
Winter Canola improves farm economics.
(2)
Oil from winter canola is a source of renewable energy as a feedstock for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and jet biofuel.
(3)
Winter canola oil-based renewable fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 50 percent compared to conventional fuels.
(4)
Expanding winter canola production will provide additional feedstock to meet growing renewable fuel demand without bringing new land into production.
Sec. 3. Study of inclusion of certain oilseed crops under double and rotational cropping policies
Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 4 U.S.C. 1522(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(20) Double cropping and rotational cropping of certain oilseed crops
(A) Definition of covered oilseed crops
In this paragraph, the term
covered oilseed cropsmeans rapeseed and canola crops that—(i)
require a period of cold temperatures (vernalization) before the plants will produce flowers and seeds; and
(ii)
are planted and harvested on land that would otherwise be idle in a rotation pattern.
(B) Research and development
The Corporation shall carry out research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and development, with respect to the inclusion of covered oilseed crops under double cropping and rotational cropping policies.
(C) Requirements
The research and development carried out pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be conducted in consultation with stakeholders to evaluate—
(i)
the factors impacting availability and cost of crop insurance when incorporating covered oilseed crops into double cropping and rotational cropping policies; and
(ii)
the potential risk management benefits associated with incorporating covered oilseed crops into double cropping and rotational cropping policies, including risk management benefits to soil health, biodiversity, and the profitability of farming operations.
(D) Emphasis
In awarding contracts under subparagraph (B), the Corporation may place emphasis on qualified persons that—
(i)
have previous research experience with covered oilseed crops; and
(ii)
have access to a facility with the capacity to carry out the applicable research.
Sec. 4. National Institute of Food and Agriculture research on supplemental and alternative crops
Section 1473D of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (c)(3)—
(A)
in subparagraph (E), by striking and
at the end;
(B)
by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (G); and
(C)
by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
(F)
to examine potential benefits and opportunities for supplemental and alternative crops (including winter rapeseed and winter canola); and; and
(2)
in subsection (e),
(A)
in paragraph (2), by striking and
at the end;
(B)
in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(4)
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029.
Sec. 5. Report to congress
Not later than 13 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes—
(1)
the results of the research and development carried out under the amendments made by section 3; and
(2)
any recommendations with respect to those results.