In recent years, the conversation around harvest management has heated up, with the inclusion of a debate that centres around straight cutting versus swathing. But, says RealAgriculture’s Shaun Haney, “debate is the wrong word.”
“We get trapped into this all or nothing scenario — it’s sort of like tillage versus no-till — right? You’re either one or you’re the other. And really, maybe that’s the wrong way to look at it.”
Angela Brackenreed, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada, agrees — it’s not necessarily about selling the swather.
“If producers can incorporate some straight-cutting with their swathing,” Brackenreed says in the following video, “it’s going to be economically in their favour.”
Brackenreed says a producer’s first experience with straight-cutting can provoke strong reactions (perhaps leading to that all-or-nothing belief). And there are certainly a few things to get used to.
“I think the big surprise for a lot of producers is how green the stalk material can be when that grain is dry.”
But, she says, speaking of her own experience, give yourself a little extra time and you’ll get used to the intricacies of straight-cutting.
Canola School videos are produced by Real Agriculture.
You can find all of the episodes on Real Agriculture's Canola School page
