Issues of the week: August 11, 2010 — Swathing is underway in parts of Alberta (Peace) and Saskatchewan, but most regions are 1-2 weeks behind. Fields in wettest areas are delayed 3-4 weeks. More heat is needed to speed crop development. Combining of April-seeded fields has started in Manitoba. This week, we’ve got swathing tips for thin stands, an update …
Clubroot shows up in resistant hybrids
Growers who seeded clubroot-resistant hybrids should know that low-level infection — up to 8% of plants — is normal for these hybrids. These off-types will be scattered uniformly through the stand. If resistant hybrids have levels higher than this, a patch of susceptible volunteers is the most likely reason. Volunteer canola densities can easily exceed 10 plants per square foot …
Should growers straight combine a thin crop?
Growers with thin crops are wondering whether straight combining is better than swathing. Straight combining tends to work best on thick stands with plants meshed together to prevent whipping in the wind. But thin stands are at risk of wind damage whether swathed or straight combined. When thin stands are swathed, often there isn’t enough stubble to hold the windrow …
Should I use a pod-sealant?
Questions continue about pod sealants. Limited western Canadian research to date has produced variable results. If farmers do use them, leave a test strip as a comparison and an assessment can be made to see if the sealant made a difference on yield. Ensure application timing is optimal and water volumes are adequate to maximize the odds for success. Crops …
What are those odd-looking plants?
number of odd looking plants have generated calls and questions lately. Some are tall, monstrous looking plants. These are called off-types. Many seed companies conduct seed multiplication in the southern hemisphere and these off-types result when pollen transfer occurs with winter canola. Another anomaly showing up is aster yellows. Affected plants show a bunched appearance at the tips of branches …
7 swathing tips for 2010
1. Scout for disease prior to swathing. Assess levels to determine if premature ripening or pod damage from alternaria black spot may necessitate swathing earlier than normal — before seed shatter starts. Fields with lots of diseased plants may also be poorer candidates for straight cutting due to the increased shattering risk. 2. Hail damage can cause crops to mature …
When to swath multi-stage crops
Many fields in the rain-soaked regions have advanced crop on the high ground and much later crop in the low ground. These fields require some harvest planning. Does a grower swath the high ground first and the low ground a couple weeks later? That may be the best option as long as the low ground looks like it will mature …
Scout for clubroot, harvest tips for thin canola
Issues of the week: August 5, 2010 — Swathing has started for April-seeded fields. The ideal time to swath is 50% to 60% seed colour change on the main stem, so don’t rush. This week, we’ve got swathing tips for thin stands and a reminder for all late-season insect control and desiccation: Be Export Ready, pay attention to pre-harvest intervals.
How to scout for clubroot
Visual symptoms of clubroot can be incorrectly attributed to heat stress or to diseases such as blackleg, fusarium wilt or sclerotinia. For that reason, proper diagnosis of clubroot should always include digging up plants to check for gall formation on roots. Start at field entrance. Pull up 10 random plants, remove the soil and examine roots for evidence of galls. Walk 10 …
Should growers straight combine thin crop?
Growers with thin crops are wondering whether straight combining is better than swathing. Straight combining tends to work best on thick stands with plants meshed together to prevent whipping in the wind. But thin stands are at risk of wind damage whether swathed or straight combined. When thin stands are swathed, often there isn’t enough stubble to hold the windrow …