CANOLA WATCH POLL — 2015 IN REVIEW
Please take our seven-question survey to help us understand the key issues growers faced in 2015. This will help keep our presentations and articles on target through the winter and help with planning for 2016 Canola Watch content.
CAN’T SPRAY CANOLA REGROWING UNDER SWATHS
Rain and delayed harvest have caused some cut canola plants to regrow. This regrowth coming up through swaths can make for increased green matter going through the combine. This regrowth cannot be sprayed.
LOW LEVELS OF BLACKLEG CAN DROP YIELDS
Many things can cause yields to be lower than expected. Crops that run out of nutrients may have significant biomass but smaller or fewer seeds in the pods. Moisture and other environmental issues — such as frost — could do the same. Disease is another big factor. Plants may look healthy at first glance, but […]
CHECK CANOLA PERFORMANCE TRIALS DATABASE TO COMPARE VARIETIES
Data for the 2015 Canola Performance Trials (CPT) are still coming in and will be posted on the once they are available. In the meantime, viewing the results from previous years can be helpful in making any seed booking choices. Data
CONDITIONING TIPS FOR STORED CANOLA
Ideally, growers will want to put canola on aeration as soon as it comes of the field. Cooling hot grain within the first 24 hours is important for safe long-term storage. Removing moisture that sweats from all canola — but especially tough canola (10-12% moisture) — is also important. achieves both of these steps. Here are a few handy tips…
HOW MUCH CANOLA DOES YOUR COMBINE THROW OVER?
Canola growers often lose 2 bu./ac. out the back of the combine, and losses can easily reach 5 bu./ac. if the combine is pushed beyond its threshing capacity. Every combine will have a sweet spot where the settings and ground speed are just right for the conditions and losses are within the acceptable range of 0.5-1 bu./ac.
AGENDA SET FOR CANOLA DISCOVERY FORUM
On behalf of Curtis Rempel, Canola Council of Canada vice president crop production and innovation, please join us for the 2015 Canola Discovery Forum October 27-29 in Canmore Alberta.
COMING EVENTS
Events featuring canola related topics…
FROST IN FORECAST: SWATH NOW OR LEAVE IT STANDING?
With light frost in the forecast, crop left standing will still have a chance to mature further and yield more. A heavy frost will lock in high green counts and likely increase yield loss with pod splitting and pod drop. Swathing before the heavy frost event may prevent this green lock, but the crop needs to dry down to a seed moisture level of 20% or less.
IT’S SEPTEMBER 23. DO I CUT THAT GREEN CANOLA?
As we progress further into September, growers get more anxious to swath. Swathing at 60% seed colour change is still preferred, but by this date some growers don’t want to wait any longer. Here are some scenarios that may help with the decision to go or wait….
SEED STILL GREEN BUT MATURE
This time of year, mature canola seeds can take a long time to turn brown or black. Growers wondering why seed colour change is taking so long may want to check the fields again and look for these other signs of maturity….
FALL WEED CONTROL ON FIELDS PLANNED FOR CANOLA
Take these steps to control fall weeds and avoid herbicide carryover damage in fields planned for canola in 2015…
FALL WEED CONTROL AND FROST
The onset of lower temperatures and shortened days in the fall trigger perennials such as Canada thistle, dandelion and quack grass to start moving sugars to below-ground tissues. Winter annuals and biennial are also doing this, but they don’t need a temperature trigger. Spraying these weeds in fall takes advantage of this downward flow into the below ground buds on the crown or creeping roots of perennials, providing better control for next year.
TIPS FOR DRYING TOUGH AND DAMP CANOLA
All canola should be conditioned after it goes into the bin to ensure safe long-term storage — especially if it goes into the bin warm. For tough and damp canola, the spoilage risk without cooling and drying is much higher.
Canola Watch is a free, unbiased, timely and research focused weekly newsletter from the Canola Council of Canada Crop Production Team
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