Most canola growers agree that the right amount of sulfur will go a long way toward increasing canola yields. But Canola Council of Canada agronomist John Mayko said choosing the most suitable form of sulfur can be confusing. There is a range of sulfur fertilizers that deliver the goods in different ways and each needs […] Read more
Stories by Canola Council of Canada
Canola survival from seeding to post emergence
As a general rule, only 50 to 60 percent of open-pollinated and hybrid seeds will survive to produce viable seedlings. Other than weather conditions, most factors that affect survival can be managed to some degree. Determining the appropriate seeding rate to achieve proper plant populations of seven to 14 plants per sq. foot requires a […] Read more
Canola desiccation, straight cutting tips
Many growers are considering desiccating canola crops this year to deal with variable maturity in individual fields. While this can be a useful strategy, care is required to ensure satisfactory results. Desiccation has the same effect as swathing under conditions of rapid dry down. It must be delayed until there is significant seed colour change […] Read more
Canola colour swathing advice updated
The colour of canola seed on the main stem at swathing is a good indication of the quality growers will get in the bin. Canola council agronomist for eastern Saskatchewan, David Vanthuyne, said swathing canola when the colour is right will keep yield and quality high and green seed low. Vanthuyne said the best time […] Read more
Canola can use additional fertilizer
Don’t cut back too far on fertilizer for canola this spring. Canola Council of Canada agronomists David Blais and Jim Bessel say with soil moisture conditions generally better than they have been for the past few years, canola should respond well to added nutrients. With fertilizer prices high this year, they are encouraging growers to […] Read more
Assessing spring frost damage in canola crops
One of the major factors affecting canola production in Western Canada is the short frost-free period. The frost-free period is the number of days between the last freezing temperature in the spring and the first frost in the fall. It varies considerably from one location to the next. Significant variations usually occur on a local […] Read more
Optimum weed control requires precise timing
Timing weed control in canola isn’t easy, but the task can be made easier if producers keep a few important principles in mind, said Christine Mardell, the Canola Council of Canada’s agronomist in northwestern Alberta’s Peace River region. Use a pre-seed burn-off treatment such as glyphosate for good early season weed control. Mardell said council […] Read more
Check moisture, temperature of canola
Rising temperatures should send canola growers out to their bins to check for signs of possible seed deterioration. “We’ve had a lot of reports of spoilage since the temperatures started to go up,” says David Vanthuyne, an agronomist with the Canola Council of Canada. “It doesn’t need to happen.” Vanthuyne said that in spring, when […] Read more
Tend binned canola to avoid spoiling
Canola growers will probably have to condition or dry their crops to ensure safe temperatures and acceptable moisture levels, says Canola Council of Canada agronomist David Vanthuyne. He said bins should be regularly monitored for signs of mould and heat. Producers should pay particularly close attention to bins if their samples have a high percentage […] Read more
After the frost
Frost, rain and now snow in some areas are making the 2004 canola harvest a nightmare. Normally, the optimum stage to swath for yield and quality is up to 60 percent seed colour change on the main stem, but frost has changed that recommendation. Frost-affected areas fall into three main categories, with appropriate swathing strategies […] Read more
