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Issues Archive
Use the expandable navigational menu on the left hand column to find a specific issue of Canola Watch by year, month and date.
April 29, 2015
Quiz for April 29, 2015
What nutrient SHOULD go in the seed row? Which nitrogen product definitely should NOT go in the seed row? What conditions improve the safety of seed-placed fertilizer?
Pre-seed burnoff: 8 top weeds and how to control them
The Canola Watch quiz for April 22, 2015 included a survey question asking readers to pick the most common weeds they target in the pre-seed window on fields planned for canola. Here are the weeds ranked in order based on survey responses, along with herbicide recommendations for pre-seed application on fields planned for canola.
Take a close look for small weeds
From the road, many fields look clean this time of year, but look closer. Weed seedlings are often present at high numbers, and these seedlings will only get bigger. Now is a good time to control them, especially as days and nights get warmer.
How long to wait between spraying and seeding?
Seeding can begin fairly soon after a burnoff — but take note of the weeds present.
Hitting the narrow post-seed, pre-emergence window
Growers who seed before spraying may want to apply in the narrow post-seeding pre-emergence window. But if that window is missed, early in-crop weed management is essential to hold yield potential. Some yield potential is likely already lost to weeds by that time.
Manage cleavers through the whole rotation
While cleavers are a bigger issue in canola, given the competitiveness of the weed and the grade loss from weed seeds in the sample, growers have more options to effectively control cleavers in cereal crops. Effective cleavers management is best done with a whole rotation approach.
Idle sprayers increase herbicide residue risk
Sprayer sitting uncleaned for a couple days in the pre-seed window could result in tank and plumbing residues that could come back to haunt the applicator when in-crop spraying starts.
Dry soil: How deep to seed?
In dry soil conditions, growers may be tempted to seed deep enough to reach moisture. This is not necessary in late April and early May, and may create more harm than good. The common recommendation to seed no deeper than 1” still applies. Here’s why…
Tips for residue management in spring
Residue management to improve canola seed placement is best done in the fall with a well set combine and, if necessary, with harrowing. Residue issues in spring are more difficult to manage, given that straw tends to be cool and tough. Waiting for sunny and warm conditions will allow straw to break up and spread, improving results from harrowing.
April 22, 2015
Quiz for April 23, 2015
Test your smarts on pre-seed weed control.
Use multiple modes in the pre-seed window
Step one in the pre-seed weed control plan is to see what weeds are present — annuals, perennials, winter annuals — and at what numbers. Choose a product based on which weeds present the biggest threat to yield based on their number and size.
3 fertility questions for seeding time
The key with fertility decisions is to apply all of the 4 Rs — right fertilizer source at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place. Missing even one R reduces the yield response from the fertility investment. Make the most of your fertilizer investment. At the CanoLAB fertility station, attendees […]
How early is too early to seed?
Early seeding usually improves canola yield potential and quality, in large part because earlier crops tend to flower before the hottest days of summer. But the yield benefits of early seeding depend on survival of a sufficient plant population — ideally 7 to 10 plants per square foot, and a minimum 5. An early-seeded crop […]
Keep It Clean — 3 things you need to know about pesticide use
Around 90% of Canadian canola is exported, and our customers have high standards when it comes to clean seed, oil and meal. It is essential that all growers, agronomists and retailers do not use or promote unregistered pesticides or those with unacceptable residues. Here are three important points to follow before using a product on canola….
Top 10 things to inspect when prepping the drill
While growers wait to hit the fields, this is a good time to pull out the drill and give it a good inspection. A large flat concrete pad is ideal for leveling.
