Tips to reduce wind damage to swaths

High winds can lead to heavy shattering losses if swaths start to roll. Here are tips to reduce potential losses from swaths blowing:

—Swath parallel to the typical prevailing winds in the area.

—Cut canola as high as possible.

—Using a properly adjusted swath roller, push down the swath so that the edges are nestled into the stubble.

Rolling requires a fine balance. A compact swath will not cure as quickly as a loose swath. A bad combination is short stubble and aggressive rolling, which doesn’t allow enough airflow underneath or through the cut crop. In this situation, rotting can occur at the base of the swath.