If planning weed control post-harvest, be certain that the herbicide is registered to be used ahead of canola next year. Be familiar with recropping restrictions. Several products leave a residue that can affect canola germination and emergence next spring. The dry soil conditions present in parts of the prairies will be more conducive to herbicide carryover. It’s a good idea …
Next Up – Soil Testing
Soil testing is a very useful tool in order to assess required fertility levels for next year. The proper sample time in the fall is after the soil surface temperature drops to less than 7°C. At this temperature, soil processes such as mineralization (breakdown of soil organic matter into plant available nutrients) that cause changes in soil nutrients proceed quite …
That’s A Wrap!
This is the final Canola Watch report for the 2009 season. The Canola Council of Canada would like to sincerely thank everyone for their input and participation throughout the season. The 2009 season certainly has been challenging and we hope the weekly Watch reports have been informative and have helped with some of the tough decisions out in the field. …
Mother Nature Delivered Some Heat
Mother Nature Delivered Some Heat Hot, dry conditions prevailed across the prairies last week which helped advance crop development. In Manitoba, swathing is generally well underway with approximately 60 to 75% of the crop already cut in most areas, but some parts of the northwest and Interlake region are still just beginning. Combining of earliest fields has begun in the …
Rain with Some Hail
Most areas got some rain late in the week and over the weekend slowing field operations temporarily. Rain showers were variable with most areas receiving a couple of tenths to ¾ of an inch. Heavier storms resulted in as much as 3 inches in parts of southwestern Manitoba, near Athabasca Alberta and in the Peace Region of Alberta. A band …
Be Patient, Wait for Adequate Seed Colour Change
Generally producers are waiting for adequate seed colour change before swathing but there have been reports of producers cutting fields too green. Avoid the urge to swath too early, especially under high temperatures (upper 20’s to 30’s or more). If hot, windy conditions continue, rapid dry-down of the plant material will not allow for proper curing which could lead to …
No Killing Frost – Yet
The first fall frost (killing frost) has not happened yet anywhere in western Canada and to date no frost appears to be in the forecast. So far this is giving the later canola a chance to fill and ripen naturally. Producers for the most part appear to be able to wait for 60% seed colour change before swathing. However if …
Is That Crop Ripening or Is That Sclerotinia?
There are many reports of sclerotinia in parts of Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan. In some fields, there is a significant amount of sclerotinia (up to 95% incidence). As sclerotinia infection progresses, plants begin to senesce prematurely, which may make the field appear riper than it actually is. Always use seed colour change as the gauge for timing swathing. Plant or …
Anchoring Short Canola Stands
Wind storms in southern and central Alberta have caused a substantial amount of swath scattering in some fields. It is important to anchor canola swaths against wind, especially this year because of low plant stands and shortened crop height. To reduce potential losses from swaths blowing, keep the following recommendations in mind. Swath parallel to the typical prevailing winds in …
Protect Your Investment
Combining of canola is beginning in the earliest fields in the southern prairies. Reports so far indicate that canola seed moisture content is ‘dry’ (below 10%). It is important to remember that canola storage can be a concern even at seed moisture levels considered dry when the canola is binned at high temperatures or when there is a lot of …