The ground may freeze and the plants stop growing, but there’s no “off season” for good agronomy. Just because the crop is in the bin, doesn’t mean we should stop thinking about how to improve production. The way to do that, says Leighton Blashko of BASF, is to think of the 5 Ws of planning… Read More
Category: Canola
Fall fertility is a small part of the entire agronomy plan, but an important one. As we begin to feel the cool nip of fall in the air, there are plenty of decisions to make when it comes to fertility plans, says Leighton Blashko of BASF. With these fertility considerations and planning comes the 4Rs:… Read More
A program designed to provide Prairie canola growers with third-party data comparing different canola varieties will be terminated following the 2022 harvest, according to a notice issued to industry partners. The Canola Performance Trials (CPT) program, which dates back to 2011, was funded by the Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba canola grower associations and commissions. “After… Read More
Despite the calendar date, many areas of the Prairies haven’t seen a killing frost this fall, which means the window for fall weed control is still open. As producers, agronomists, and everyone in-between are surveying fields, the perennial weeds are likely getting noticed. As Leighton Blashko, technical service specialist with BASF, says, there’s still time… Read More
Every field tells a story, and not just through the yield monitor. From final plant stand figures, to disease pressures, to weed spectrums and control windows, harvest and post-harvest scouting can offer so much information about what to do next year or the next time a field sees this crop again. To dive in to… Read More
It’s time for Day 4 of Ontario Diagnostic Days! The annual Ontario crop diagnostic days were back in the field on July 20 and 21, 2022, but only at Ridgetown campus University of Guelph. Not everyone could attend these two field days, so the organizing committees of these highly successful in-field education and learning events are… Read More
With harvest well underway, or even finished for some, markets continue to be susceptible to global events, but focus is now turning to what the actual yield numbers are as crops come off. Weighing in on the topic is Brian Voth, president of intetlliFARM, and he says he’s skeptical of the demand that is being… Read More
Canola gives growers a little bit more leeway compared to other crops when it comes to growing in saline soil conditions. However, proper management of these areas is still needed to make sure they don’t get worse as the years go on. On this Canola School episode, we are joined by Ken Wall, grow team… Read More
Perhaps not overly surprising due to the extreme drought conditions that plagued the Prairies last growing season, but Statistics Canada is estimating that crop production across the nation will be up by at least 50 per cent this fall. Stats Can, which is moving towards using alternate data methods outside of farmer surveys to obtain… Read More
When talking soybean harvest losses, all the focus is on the header. But for canola, losses add up at the header and through the combine. Understanding how to manage those losses is a mix of agronomy, mechanical know-how, and patience. To break down the process, this episode of The Agronomists features Mike Staton, soybean expert… Read More
Seed toxicity can severely impede canola yield, and it can be difficult to determine just how much nitrogen is needed in the seed row to see maximum results, while mitigating losses from possible seed toxicity. On this episode of Canola School, Ken Wall, grow team advisor with Federated Co-operatives Ltd, breaks down seed toxicity and… Read More
BASF is switching the main seed treatment package on its InVigor canola varieties for 2023, after determining “many, many factors” led to certain canola fields getting off to a noticeably sluggish start in 2022. The company, which has long held the largest market share in canola seed in Canada, published a statement in late June… Read More
With harvest underway and temperatures continuing to soar across the Prairie provinces, canola growers will want to weigh their options when it comes to when they swath — not only in the growing season, but on the day as well, to prevent green lock. Doug Moisey of Pioneer Seeds Canada, says during the days where… Read More
Spring planted canola is a dominant crop in Western Canada, but for Ontario farmers, the better option is winter canola. Still a minority crop, winter canola is gaining attention in the province, especially since the introduction of a new variety, Mercedes. What does it take to grow this brassica, starting in the fall? There are… Read More
There’s been a fair amount of interest in comparing the results of canola seeded with a drill versus a planter over the last decade, but as the percentage of acres sown with planters has increased, farmers and agronomists are also looking to compare different planter setups. This Canola School episode takes us to a planter… Read More