Hybrid seed often weighs 5 grams or more per 1,000 seeds. If a grower seeds a 5-gram hybrid at 4 lb./ac. (1,800 grams per acre), that works out to 8 seeds per square foot. At 60% seedling survival, the stand is only 5 plants per square foot. The ideal target is 10 plants per square foot, which provides some …
Increase fertilizer rates to match yield potential
In a recent survey on agronomic practices, the Canola Council of Canada found that, on average, growers were applying 79.5 lb./ac. of actual nitrogen, 25.8 lb./ac. of phosphate (P2O5), 4.9 lb./ac. of potassium (K20) and 13.6 lb./ac. of sulphur to their canola fields. This may not be enough for high yielding canola. Canola that yields 35 bu./ac. removes 61-74 lb./ac. …
Canola heating
Canola is heating up. That’s good news if we’re talking prices. But it’s bad news for canola in the bin. “We’re getting regular reports this month from growers who have lost whole bins to heating. Some have lost multiple bins,” says Jim Bessel, Canola Council of Canada senior agronomy specialist in Saskatchewan. “Periods of warm weather the past couple of …
Soil testing in winter
In discussion with two soil test labs, we know that taking soil samples in winter is certainly an option. The thick layer of snow on the fields makes winter sampling a challenge — but it’s that layer of snow that actually makes winter sampling possible. The snow prevents soil from freezing solid. Clear the snow, then probe. According to one …
Snow cover benefits cleavers
Cleavers that emerge in the fall can survive a cold winter if they’re under a nice blanket of snow. With all the snow this winter, any fields that had cleavers and other winter annuals emerge last fall may have significant early growth this spring. Early control is essential — otherwise winter annuals will quickly grow to a size where herbicide …
More heated canola than usual
There’s an old saying in the canola business: “Sell it or smell it.” According to some crushers, they’ve been “smelling” more canola than usual this year. Higher green counts can encourage more rapid spoilage, which may be a factor in higher rates of heating. But even No.1 canola can start to heat as temperatures warm up, or cycle warm-cold, over …
Why canopy closure matters
We know that wider rows make it possible to pull wider drills with the same tractor. Wider rows also make it easier to direct seed into heavy trash. But remember that with every system, there is give and take. Wide row spacing and relatively low seeding rates mean that more of the ground is exposed to full sunlight for longer. …
Wider rows can increase damage from seed-placed N
Going to wider rows? Many new drills are set at 12” and 14” row spacing. Wider row spacing means higher concentrations of seed and fertilizer through each opener — based on the same per-acre rates. This can increase fertilizer damage to seedlings and lead to a thinner stand, particularly for openers that place fertilizer and seed together. Nitrogen is usually …
Take time now to prep new drill
Do you have a new drill you’ll be using for the first time this spring? Take some time now and over the next couple months before seeding to read over the manual, and find out how to program the monitor and calibrate seeding and fertilizer rates. When you get a nice day and have a flat dry place to work, …
For more discussion on unseeded acres topics…
SaskCanola is sponsoring several events that will address concerns about unseeded acres and other canola-related information. 2011 SaskCanola Producer Webinars March 1, 10:00 a.m. Fertility Issues with Unseeded and Flooded Acres. Host Dr. Jeff Schoenau, soil fertility scientist, University of Saskatchewan. March 3, 10:00 a.m. Unseeded Acres and Field Management. Host Lyle Cowell, manager agronomic services, Viterra, Tisdale, Saskatchewan. March …