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If you want to use soil test results to see whether this year’s crop had enough nutrients, sampling now would be the better option. To plan for next year, soil samples taken closer to freeze up are a more accurate estimate of levels next spring…
Canola Watch Posts
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Cold temperatures help trigger winter annuals, such as cleavers (shown), and perennials to start moving food reserves down into below ground tissues, so waiting until after the cooler weather can improve weed control. But make sure weeds are actively growing with new supple leaf area to target, and that the actual spray day is warm… -
Growers with dry canola and high green counts are wondering whether to leave the swathed crop a while longer or combine now and accept the grade loss. When making that decision, ask: Is moisture in the forecast? How green is it? What's the price discount? These and other considerations will help with the decision… -
Canola with high chlorophyll content is less stable in storage, even if the canola is dry and cool. The safest bet is to deliver sooner than later. If that is not an option, proper conditioning and frequent monitoring for heating and spoilage are crucial until it can be delivered…
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With light frost in the forecast, crop left standing will still have a chance to mature further. A heavy frost will lock in high green counts unless the crop has adequate dry down time to achieve a seed moisture of 20% or less. Swathing has to occur at least 3 good drying days before the frost to achieve this benefit…
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Canola can usually withstand a light frost, and immature crops are best left standing to finish. However, check anyway. The crop may look undamaged that morning but by lunch time, wilting, desiccation and pod splitting may begin. If you scout early and then not again, you may underestimate the damage and miss a chance to swath now to save some… -
Blackleg (shown above) is more serious this year in some fields, largely due to good early season conditions for infection. Pre-swathing is a good time to clip plants and scout. Some growers are dealing with high levels of green seed this year. High green, along with high heat and dockage, can increase the storage risk… -
High levels of blackleg have been found in some canola fields this year. Quite likely blackleg was present the last time canola was grown on these fields but went undetected based on a lack of obvious yield losses. Just before or while swathing are the best times to check plants for blackleg and other diseases. Uninfected parts of the plant… -
Canola needs to move back up to 20% moisture and temperatures need to be 15 C or warmer before enzymes to reduce chlorophyll will restart and function effectively. Growers with high green canola in the swath have time to wait, if they choose, to see if these necessary rains come along…
