Heterotic patterns of geographic origin can be useful in the initial stages of a hybrid oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) breeding program. Mid-parent values, a reflection of parental line performance per se, could be an efficient means of screening potential parents to be used as source populations for hybrid breeding. The purpose of this study was to establish heterotic patterns and to evaluate mid-parent values as a screening tool for use in hybrid oilseed rape breeding. Twenty-one cultivar-derived hybrids and their seven parents were grown in three environments and evaluated for seed yield, height and oil and protein concentration. Four of the parental cultivars were of European ancestry, two were Canadian and one was Australian. Results of the study indicate that the Canadian and European cultivars belong to the same, or partially overlapping heterotic groups and that the Austrialian cultivar belonged to another. Mid-parent was a good descriptor of hybrid performance only when general combining ability was the predominant form of variation among hybrids.Key words: Brassica napus L., hybrids, mid-parent