The ideal swath timing is when 60% of seeds on the main stem are showing some colour change from green to brown. However, various factors complicate the swath timing decision, including frost and uneven crops due to hail. A few other scenarios surfaced this week, including late starts, disease and lodging (shown above)…
Canola Watch Posts
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Growers have three steps to assess combine losses: 1. Measure the losses. Drop pans are required, given that combine loss monitors are not always accurate or calibrated properly. How to measure losses. 2. Determine whether those losses are acceptable. 3. If not acceptable, take measures to reduce the losses. Les Hill is the manager of technical services and business development…
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An important factor in canola stand establishment next spring is the crop residue situation this fall. An even mat of cereal residue is preferable to clumpy distribution that can affect drill performance, seed survival and overall crop uniformity next year. Fall is the best time to make sure residue is spread evenly. A properly adjusted combine straw chopper and spreader…
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1. Assess the disease situation. 2. Consider disease severity when choosing varieties. 3. Recognize which issues were agronomic versus environmental. 4. Evaluate variety performance. 5. Manage residue with the combine. 6. Identify weeds before making fall weed control decisions. 7. Manage volunteer canola. (Key is to prevent losses in the first place.) 8. Count stems after harvest. 9. Do a…
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Various labs will test soil for clubroot. Those collecting soil samples are advised to park on the road when possible so the vehicle does not pick up infested soil. Follow sanitation procedures if visiting more than one field. This includes using disposal boot covers for each field and cleaning and disinfecting footwear and tools that come in contact with the…
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Excess moisture has caused some canola to sprout inside pods. There is not much growers can do to avoid this, and combining early is not an option — given the storage risk. Sprouted seed is categorized as “damaged” seed, which is a grading factor. No.1 canola can have a maximum 5% damaged seed. No.2 can have up to 12% damaged…
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Swathing after frost. After heavy frost, swathing may be necessary to preserve yield. After light frost, leave the crop standing but check again after a couple days to make sure damage isn’t worse than expected. Green scheme. Early swathing, especially in hot fast-curing conditions, can lock in high green counts. Wait until 60% seed colour change on the main stem…