CANOLA WATCH QUIZ – SEED THEME
The seed sales push for 2020 is going strong, as it usually is this time of year. If you’re thinking about next year’s seed while trying to harvest this year’s crop, this quick quiz might provide a few buying tips.
QUALITY OF CANOLA WITH WET HARVEST DELAYS
Canola is generally better than other crops for holding its quality with harvest delays due to moisture. But damage can occur. Here are some quality issues that can occur in this situation….
SNOW ON CANOLA: WHAT TO DO?
Snow on swathed canola will delay harvest, just like a rain would. In October, when it can be assumed that a return to more seasonal temperatures will occur, waiting it out may be the best option. In most cases, snow on swathed canola will take longer to shake off and dry out than snow on standing canola.
SEED PLANS FOR 2020
Harvest experience and disease levels in 2019 will influence seed purchasing decisions. When making final seed decisions, consider disease resistance, days to maturity, lodging, specialty oil traits and harvest traits in addition to yield to select varieties well suited to typical conditions on the farm.
FALL WEEDS: SNOW AND FROST AND TIMING
The snow layer is likely to insulate the weed leaf material from the colder conditions that follow it. That could mean you’re back spraying earlier than you would be with frost alone.
TIPS FOR DRYING TOUGH AND DAMP CANOLA
The ideal goal for safe long-term storage is to have canola rest in the bin at 8% moisture and less than 15°C. All canola should be conditioned after it goes into the bin. For tough and damp canola, the spoilage risk is much higher. Here are some tips to manage that tough or damp canola.
FACTORS THAT ELEVATE STORAGE RISK
Moisture creates a more hospitable environment for moulds that trigger heating. Clumping is a sign of mould growth. Storage research found that canola seeds at 25°C and 10.6% moisture clumped together after 11 days and visible mould colonies appeared after 21 days.
FALL FERTILIZER: TOO EARLY FOR N
You want to apply fall nitrogen as close to freeze up as possible to balance two objectives: (1) allow soil to seal over the band (frozen soil may not seal) and (2) reduce losses due to high microbial activity in warm soils. Band urea at least 2” deep.
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