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High cereal yields last year mean more residue issues this spring. If the drill cannot cut through or dig under the residue to place seed into soil, then some sort of residue management may be the lesser of two evils. We ran a survey the past two weeks asking Canola Watch readers for their thoughts on effective spring management for…
Harvest and Storage
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Canola may be stored longer than usual and in bigger quantities this year. As outside temperatures warm up, it becomes important to check bins again to make sure canola inside safely makes the transition from winter to spring and summer. Movement of air and moisture inside bins is greatest when the temperature difference between inside and outside is greatest. Increased… -
Moisture migration in a canola bin peaks when the temperature difference between inside and outside the bin is high. If canola in the bin is -20C and the outside air warms up for a week, this can increase air flow and moisture concentration inside the bin… -
When outside air is colder than stored canola, another moisture cycle begins within the bin. The grain mass on the outside edge cools first. This colder air migrates down through grain along the bin wall then up through the central core, picking up warmth and moisture along the way. This creates a pocket of humid and warmer air at the…
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Canola binned hot, even if it has low moisture, low dockage and low green, should still be put on aeration. Target a core temperature of 15°C before stopping the aeration fans, and watch throughout the winter to make sure it doesn’t start to increase…
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Some canola is coming off very dry — 5-6% moisture. Canola at 8% moisture is considered safe for long term storage. Canola at 6% is even safer. (Although it can still heat if very hot when stored.) Canola seed can absorb more moisture if left in the field during a rain. Both 6% and 8% moisture canola can be safely…
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With a bumper harvest predicted for many areas, bin space will be at a premium. Not all canola will be able to go on aeration right away. And not all canola will be going into bins originally planned for canola. This has its risks… -
The number one risk: Neglected bins. Growers are busy enough at harvest just getting the crop off, but take time to check all bins within the first two weeks after filling, and then again a couple more times until the canola is cool and winter sets in. Canola seed continues to sweat during the first 4 to 6 weeks after… -
Check standing canola the morning after a frost, but wait at least 4-6 hours after frost to allow the full extent of severe frost damage to become evident. 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…
