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Frost on pods can stop plant development and lock in green. It can also cause pods to split. However, a light frost may have no effect at all, and the crop will be better left to mature fully. To determine which situation applies in a frost situation, do the following…
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Swathing too early and in hot windy conditions can contribute to high levels of green seed. Cutting canola in hot conditions leads to rapid dry down and desiccation, which doesn’t give chlorophyll time to clear from immature seed. Waiting until less mature seed is at least firm to roll between thumb and forefinger will help minimize yield reductions from early…
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The swath decision becomes more difficult in crops with plants at multiple stages of growth. For example, if some plants are at 60% seed colour change (SCC) on the main stem and other plants are still flowering, growers may want to hold off on swathing. Or if plants are large with many secondary stems, the main stem may be at…
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Clubroot, blackleg and sclerotinia stem rot are found in many canola fields at this stage of the season. Taking time now to determine what diseases are present and at what levels can help with variety decisions and crop rotation planning for next year. Here are a few videos with helpful tips…
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Flea beetles feeding on pods is unlikely to cause an economic loss. Entomologists have not set thresholds for late season flea beetle feeding, but it’s generally believed that numbers have to be very high — perhaps 100 per plant — before economic losses occur. You may also note that flea beetles can be highly variable at this time of year,…
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Thrips cause curled or twisted pods on canola and can also cause damage like that shown in the photo above. The good news is that economic levels of damage from thrips are very rare…
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Canola growers have three quality and trade issues to keep in mind when storing the crop: 1. Do not put canola in bins treated with malathion. Malathion is often used inside bins to control grain storage insects, however this insecticide can enter canola seed in storage and should not be used on bins storing canola. 2. Completely remove treated seed…
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Harvest is a farmer’s busiest time of the year and unfortunately one of the most dangerous. Fatigue and stress often leads to shortcuts and unsafe practices during this time but it is essential to take breaks, slow down, follow safe practices, and ensure everyone on the farm is trained to do the task at hand. Safe Work Manitoba provides the…
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Swath timing: is close, close enough? If you have some variability in the staging of your stand due to hail damage, drowned out areas, dry areas, heat blasting, insect damage, disease or weed issues, it will make swath timing a more complicated decision. Disease scouting: killing two tasks with one look. While you are out there checking to see if…