Some of the earliest fields in the southern prairies may be combined in the coming days. 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. Use aeration to bring down the temperature of binned canola. It should be conditioned to below 15 …
Residue Management for 2010’s Canola
The cold emergence period this spring was certainly challenging but in some fields was aggravated by poor residue management in the previous crop. As harvest gets underway, consider residue management in fields destined for canola in 2010. Good chaff spreading and straw dispersal can help ensure good soil to seed contact next spring. Stand establishment has been one of the …
Rains Can Stop Until After Harvest
Rains Can Stop Until After Harvest Rains fell over southern Manitoba last week and amounts generally ranged from a half to two inches but some areas reported more (three to five inches in parts of southwest, central and eastern regions). Hail was reported again in the Brunkild area. In eastern Saskatchewan, rainfall was quite general and a half to ¾ …
Hot, Dry Weather Desirable
The risk of an early fall frost and its impact on crop quality continues to be one of the greatest concerns. An additional five to 10 days of hot, dry weather is needed to hasten crop maturity. Most of the canola crop is finished flowering with earliest fields generally having about 20 to 40% seed colour change. Swathing is just …
Frost Damage in Alberta
Damage from last week’s frost (with temperatures as low as -3oC recorded) is now appearing in the Peace Region of Alberta. Pod formation on the top of plants has been affected and yield will be impacted in the High Prairie, Manning and Kenzie areas. Generally, pod formation on lower branches appears to be unaffected. Severe frost damage has occurred in …
Possible to Reduce Frost Damage?
A number of products are being marketed to enhance the crops’ protection from environmental stresses such as frost. The Canola Council of Canada agronomists are not aware of any scientific research in western Canada to support such claims. Growers who are considering applying a product for such a purpose are encouraged to ask for scientific research data results to help …
Grasshoppers Migrating?
Grasshopper migration into canola fields may increase as pasture growth slows and other host crops (e.g. cereals) are swathed, especially in the drier parts of southwestern Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan. Continue scouting for grasshoppers because, if caught early, perimeter spraying may be all that is needed. A specific economic threshold for grasshoppers in canola has not been established as it …
Late Season Spraying – Adhere to PreHarvest Intervals
The preharvest interval (PHI) refers to the number of days that the crop should NOT be harvested after application of a pesticide. Harvest in this context means cutting or swathing. If the crop is harvested before the indicated interval has elapsed, there could be unsafe or unacceptable residues of the pesticide remaining in or on the harvested seeds. Preharvest intervals …
Weed Control for 2010 Can Start Now
The challenging conditions this year resulted in less than ideal weed control in some fields. Plus, harvest appears to be late this year so there will likely be greater risk with post-harvest herbicide timing due to frost. Preharvest applications of glyphosate can be a valuable tool in preparing for next year’s canola crop. Generally, fall applications provide the most effective …
How to Even-Out an Uneven Stand
Council agronomists are starting to field a number of calls about how to hasten maturity of late canola plants within a field. Uneven fields are not good candidates for straight cutting. Applying a desiccant to an uneven crop will still leave too much green material present and this material can cause significant problems in storage. With the stagey crops this …