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If you have perfect seeding conditions in late April, should you seed canola? Early seeding usually improves canola yield potential and quality, but these benefits depend on survival of a……
Plant establishment
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In dry soil conditions, growers may be tempted to seed deep enough to reach moisture. This is not necessary from April to mid-May. The common recommendation to seed no deeper than 1” still applies in dry conditions. Here’s why… -
Growers with dry soil conditions may be tempted to reduce fertilizer rates. After all, if crops do not reach yield potential, reducing the cash outlay at seeding may mean that a lower-yielding crop could still be profitable. However, when it comes to canola in particular, fertilizing for average or target yields in spring is often the most economic practice —… -
Tillage and harrowing in the spring can further dry out the seedbed. It does not conserve moisture… -
Transitioning land from perennial forages to annual crops is best done with herbicide applications the fall before. Brome and fescue can be hard to kill, and growers will be fighting these plants all season if they weren’t first sprayed last fall… -
Consider these factors... 1. Do you trust the data? 2. What traits do you need? 3. How do you assess yield potential?… -
Southern Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan may have soil temperatures adequate for canola establishment and just enough moisture for emergence, but should they seed now?… -
Seeding in April is not usually recommended or beneficial for canola (except perhaps late-April seeding in southern Alberta). Here are a few things you could do now… -
Do you think Canola Performance Trials should continue? If yes, in what fashion? You have only a few more days to have your voice heard on the canola variety trial information you see in your provincial Seed Guide!…
