Tips for a successful canola crop
By Cory Cowan, Crop Sales Specialist,
AGRIS Co-operative - Chatham
Canola is a small seed-sized crop and needs to have a successful start. Field selection is important to success, as well-drained clay loam to loam fields are preferred.
Over the last 15 years, I have found that if your winter wheat survival is poor, your canola stand will likely suffer more and turn out a bit worse.
The history of herbicide use in a field is another consideration. Canola is a sensitive crop so pay close attention to your herbicide history, looking forward two or more years to consider herbicide selection in the crop rotation to ensure the field is free of harmful residues when it's time to seed canola.
Infinity has a 10-month re-cropping interval. Products such as imazethapyr (Pursuit, Optill), metribuzin (Sencor) and atrazine (Primextra, Marksman, etc.) can have a 22-month re-cropping interval or more. Herbicide options are somewhat limited when it comes to canola. The main products are glyphosate, glufosinate (Liberty), clopyralid (Lontrel) and trifluralin (e.g., Treflan). Make sure to avoid Eragon and 2,4-D in pre-plant burn downs as they can and will cause crop injury.
When considering a planting date, 600 growing degree days are required for the proper growth of canola in the fall. For southwestern Ontario, this means the best time for planting would land in the first two weeks of September when ground and weather conditions are best.
Keep in mind that canola survives through winter on its roots, so once again, a stress-free first 24 hours after planting with proper fertility will help promote a healthy and aggressive root system.
At planting time, it is best to aim for a four pounds per acre seeding rate which is approximately 330,000 plants per acre with a depth of ½" to 1".
In the fall, look to apply 30 to 40 pounds per acre of actual nitrogen to help with the growth rate of seedlings. Canola needs higher sulphur so aim for at least 10 pounds per acre before seeding and another 10-15 pounds per acre in the spring.
To safely apply nitrogen and sulphur with the seed, you'll want to broadcast ahead of seeding. You can apply some starter phosphorous with the seed to promote fast, early growth. Up to 25 pounds per acre of P2O5 can be safely placed in the seed row. The balance of nutrients based on a soil test can be broadcast ahead of seeding and may be best applied the year ahead if high rates of MAP and Potash are called for.
The main things to keep in mind are that canola is a hungry crop with a total nutrient uptake of 4.5 pounds of nitrogen per bushel, 2.5 pounds of P2O5 per bushel, 4 pounds of K2O per bushel and 1 pound of sulphur per bushel of canola plus boron applied as two foliar spray applications at 0.25 pounds of actual B each time.
Additional management tips for your canola crop include scouting for cabbage seed pod weevil at early flowering and keep in mind that it may take two applications to control.
Fungicide application timing is best at the 20% to 50% bloom stage. You might want to consider a pod stick spray if the weather is dry and looking like you may run into a lot of pod shatter.
If you would like to discuss canola production further and how this additional crop in your rotation could benefit you and your farming operation, please don't hesitate to reach out to your trusted AGRIS Co-operative Crop Sales Specialist.