Sclerotinia and swath timing

In fields badly infected with sclerotinia, swath when the healthiest plants are ready. These plants will provide most of the yield. Swathing early will not preserve seeds in badly infected plants — those seeds are unlikely to mature no matter when you swath.

Swathing healthy plants before 30% seed colour change, for example, may not allow those healthy seeds to mature and fill fully. Keep in mind that when swathing fields with sclerotinia infection, swathing in a little rain or in the evening dew will limit shattering of those mildly infected plants that may have some yield but have matured prematurely.