With the recent wet and in some cases snowy weather across much of the prairies, opportunities to harvest the remainder of this year’s crop could be challenging. Canola Council agronomy specialists have some important points to consider.
Maximize quality canola
“Consider the value and potential loss from overwintering in the swath and prioritize which crop to harvest first when the opportunity presents itself”, says Derwyn Hammond, senior agronomy specialist for the Canola Council in Manitoba. “Canola that is still in the swath has likely maintained its quality better than other crops, but that won’t be the case if it is left out until spring. Both cereals and canola will lose bushel weight and be prone to rodent damage in over wintered swaths. However, molds and a buildup of free fatty acids in the oil can drop a number 1 or 2 canola crop to sample grade by spring. Sample grade canola often goes into the feed market at a much lower return per bushel.”
“Harvesting top grade canola should be a priority, especially if weathering has already downgraded the value of other crops like cereals,” he adds.
Don’t lose the crop in storage!
Wondering if the cool temperatures will let you get away with storing tough canola temporarily to get harvest completed? Jim Bessel, senior agronomy specialist for Saskatchewan, has two words. BE CAREFUL!
“Higher moisture levels mean high seed respiration rates and the potential for mold growth which can increase temperature rapidly once the grain is in the bin”, says Bessel. “Don’t assume that grain temperatures in the bin will continue to decline just because the weather outside is cool. Tough canola will need to be monitored continuously and turned if necessary to prevent spoilage until it can be properly conditioned.
Bessel suggests growers take the first available opportunity to condition canola to storage-safe temperature and moisture levels this fall. “This is critical for canola with elevated moisture content, especially if it has high oil content and is stored in larger storage structures” he says.
For long term canola storage, cool seed to below 15ºC and drop moisture content to 8% or lower. “If canola comes off the field close to dry, aeration and ‘turning’ canola can be effective ways to cool the seed and reduce seed moisture,” Bessel says, “but if it comes off the field with moisture levels of 10 to 12% or higher, you need to consider heated air drying.” Natural air drying may not be sufficient, taking much longer when outside conditions are cool and damp, he adds.
“It is critical to keep a close eye on your bins” Bessel reminds growers. “Freshly harvested seed can maintain a high respiration rate for up to six weeks. Regular monitoring at frequent intervals is critical to prevent heating and spoilage. You have invested a lot in your canola crop this past season. You don’t want to lose your crop now. Keep up your monitoring program in the coming months to ensure delivery of a quality product.”
