Though Essex County canola acreage represents only a small share compared to western Canada, area farmers may feel the ripple effects of China’s decision last week to impose 75.8 per cent anti-dumping tariffs on Canadian canola seed.

Southwestern Ontario’s long growing season and milder winters have become grounds for a winter variety of canola planted in the fall and harvested in summer.

Winter canola was just starting to catch on locally, but agricultural leaders say the fresh round of tariffs could give new growers pause.

“We actually had pretty good success with a new variety in Essex County, so it’s just peaking up,” said Ryan Koeslag, executive director of Ontario Canola Growers.

“We’re hoping to get more acres every year. So certainly, when we have a 75.8 per cent tariff from Ch

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