SASKATOON Ñ Darren Watson lists three Ps of new lentil varieties Ð profit, production and peace of mind.
“On our farm, we don’t create wealth until we have $220 per acre in revenue. If you can add an extra 10 percent Ñ Plato does yield 10 percent more than the current varieties out there Ñ that’s the difference between not making money and profit,” said Watson.
“Another aspect is risk management. Crop insurance uses the absolute number of bushels. It has nothing to do with your price. So you’ll have a lower guarantee. Plus the more money you can make, the better (the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program) is going to be.”
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Watson believes in early seeding on his farm.
“The last couple of years, one with drought and one with frost, we’ve had superior results. I like to seed heavy. With a 12-plant-per-sq.-foot target, a lot of the literature at least with a large green would suggest 80-90 pounds per acre.
“That doesn’t take into account seed mortality or less than 100 percent emergence.
“Generally, I like to seed 10 or 15 percent higher than that, just to achieve your 12 plants per sq. foot.”
Watson likes seeding into tall stubble. The microclimate keeps the seedlings cool in the spring and helps the plants grow taller, which helps with harvest by reducing cutterbar loss.
“I believe in using enough chemical. There’s no point in going halfway. If you let one yield-limiting factor in, it’s not going to work out on the entire crop,” he said.
“On broadleaf control, I can’t wait for those Clearfield lentils. If everything works out in New Zealand, there may be Clearfield red lentils available to be planted this spring; certainly next spring. That’s great, especially for people with weed problems. That’s going to make a world of difference.”
Watson uses a mix of 85 percent granular inoculant and 15 percent peat, in case one or the other doesn’t work or if he has any mechanical failures.
“Inoculant is a bad place to fail. In my opinion, it’s the best money we spend.”
For managing disease, he uses the decision support tool in the Pulse Production Manual. “You can be proactive with it. In my opinion, prevention is the best way to control disease.”
“We have a rule on our farm. When my dad and I agree that we should desiccate in two days, we do it that day and we’re still probably a day late. When you think of mistakes people make, generally it’s desiccating too late. I’ve desiccated one field too early in my life.”
Watson said a rotary combine works better on lentils, even though he doesn’t use one right now. Once the crop is off, he won’t put lentils in a bin without aeration because it’s too much risk for grade.
“New varieties have fewer limiting factors, (like) disease, harvestability and canopy. They’re much nicer to grow. And the differences are greater in the good years. When you have a good crop and it yields 10 percent more, if you have a 30 bushel crop, that’s three bu. In a poor year, you can’t notice the difference as much.
“I can’t visually tell a 10 percent difference in the field. You have to trust research. You can grow old Lairds and they’re going to look just as good as a set of Platos. But at the end of the day, you’re going to make more money growing Platos.”
On Watson’s farm, he has made more money on green lentils. He’s looking forward to the new red lentil varieties with the hope that they might provide similar returns.
“We grew some French green lentils this year because we couldn’t find any more small green lentils. These LeMays, they’re a really nice variety. They grow like a Richlea and if you’re in an area that has trouble with grade, I’d recommend them.”
Watson spends money to get good seed.
“It’s the foundation for your entire year. If something looks good, participate in that market. There’s no point in buying seed for this year’s market so you can grow it next year, when the market will have probably changed.”
Watson has had his share of mistakes.
“Red lentils and drought, that’s a pretty punishing thing. Avoid Christmas lentils, reds mixed with greens. Reds really volunteer badly. I’d recommend if you were going to switch from reds to greens, after four years maybe try a large green, or wait eight years. It’s a really punishing thing if it happens.”
Another problem arose when he tried to use Roundup as a desiccant rather than as a pre-harvest treatment.
“That was in 2002 and it kept raining. Know what you’re getting into with that one. If you’re going to do that, maybe consider Reglone after, or swathing.”
