CANOLA WATCH QUIZ — PRE-SWATH DISEASE CHECK
VIDEO LIBRARY: HARVEST THEME
STRAIGHT COMBINING CANOLA — SUCCESS FACTORS
Here are factors that create the ideal situation for straight combining canola….
LATE SWATHING OR STRAIGHT COMBINING?
If canola is to be swathed later than optimal (with earliest pods shattering), cut in moist conditions (rain or heavy dew) to limit shattering as much as possible.
SWATH TIMING AND DISEASE
With blackleg, sclerotinia stem rot and clubroot, base the swath timing decision on healthy plants that will contribute to yield. One exception where early swathing could provide an economic benefit is the case of severe alternaria black spot (shown).
SWATH TIMING FOR UNEVEN CROP
If half the plants are ready and half are just beginning seed colour change, growers may want to hold off on swathing. By waiting 3 or 4 days, there is minimal risk for riper parts of the field and a huge potential benefit for later parts.
SWATHING TIMING AND LODGING
There is no clear advantage to swathing versus straight combining lodged crop. It often comes down to personal preference.
BERTHA ARMYWORM: A FEW WARM SPOTS
While economic levels of damage have not been reported anywhere yet this year, individual fields could experience isolated high numbers.
SWATH TIMING: PLANT POPULATION AND SCC
Yield and quality benefit from leaving canola standing longer before swathing. The common recommendation is to wait until at least 50-60% seed colour change (SCC) on the main stem. But that may be overly simplistic — especially if plant populations are low. The graph shows that as plant populations drop, more and more yield will come from side branches.
PRE-HARVEST SCOUTING: 8 DISEASES
Check patches of pre-mature ripened canola to identify the cause. It could be blackleg, clubroot, sclerotinia stem rot (pictured) or something else entirely. Here’s how to identify the major diseases of canola as fields get close to swathing stage…
PRE-HARVEST PRODUCTS FOR USE IN CANOLA
Glyphosate is registered for pre-harvest perennial weed control in canola. Glyphosate is to be applied when the majority of seeds are yellow to brown in colour and seed moisture is less than 30%. Heat fits between glyphosate and Reglone on the speed of dry down spectrum. Reglone is a contact herbicide (only kills what it contacts) and is registered in canola to dry immature green material to facilitate harvest. Reglone shuts the plant down quickly and basically STOPS it from maturing, which can lock in high green seed levels if applied prematurely.
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