Record the following details while seeding. These facts may come in handy for future decision making and problem solving.
Fertilizer — best ways to apply macros this spring
You don’t seed canola without starter phosphorus in the seed row, especially in cold soils, but you have options for the rest of the nutrients. And seed placement is not on the list.
How does seed size influence seeding rate?
The seeding rate calculator at canolacalculator.ca will help you set the seeding rate (in lb./ac.) based on seed size, target stand and estimated emergence percentage. The following two short videos show how to use the calculators.
Strive for 75 per cent emergence
The percentage of canola seeds that emerge to form plants is typically in the range of 50 to 60 per cent. The goal is to move the Western Canadian average closer to 75 per cent, and give more seeds a chance to contribute to the crop’s profitability.
VIDEO: Quick tips for drill prep
This video provides a quick overview of the drill-prep steps outlined in our full article.
Prep the seeder for uniform seed depth
Canola seed placed at a consistent depth across the width of the seeding tool will improve seed-to-soil contact, increase seed survival and help the crop emerge evenly. The goal is to have each canola seed placed into the soil at a depth close to one inch. Here are tips to improve the performance of the seeding tool.
PODCAST: Prep the seeder for uniform seed depth
Farmers can greatly improve the survival rate of canola seed by achieving uniform seed depth in the half inch to one inch range. For this podcast, host Jay Whetter talks with Shawn Senko of the CCC, Rob MacDonald of BASF and Darcy Missler of Bourgault about practical tips to prep the seeding tool for seed survival supremacy.
How to cope with salinity
Recent wet and dry cycles have increased topsoil salinity in many parts of the Prairies over the past few years. “Salinity is not a salt problem, it’s a water problem,” says Marla Riekman, soil management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development. “Wet years bring the water table closer to the roots, and salinity wicks up to the soil surface.”
Canola Watch quiz – Seed theme
The seed sales push for 2020 is going strong, as it usually is this time of year. If you’re thinking about next year’s seed while trying to harvest this year’s crop, this quick quiz might provide a few buying tips.
Why count canola stems in the fall?
While doing harvest disease scouting, why not do a plant count at the same time? Compare final plant populations for each canola crops to its days to maturity, evenness, harvestability and yield to determine your favourite plant density this year.