Tips to maximize yield capture when straight cutting canola
Even if your canola variety does not have pod shatter traits, you may still be able to straight cut. Check the field to ensure the canola is standing well, has even maturity and has the architecture to branch out and weave together.
Optimize your combine to reduce pod shatter (check out the equipment tips above for more info). If you don’t have specialized headers or equipment for straight cutting, there are still two simple things you can do to minimize harvest losses:
- Stick to the feedrate for your combine’s peak processing capability. It might mean slowing your speed down by 0.2 or 0.3 mph.
- Seal any gaps where seed can fall out of the header: between belts, out of the table and around the auger.
If you did plant a shatter-resistant canola variety, and there’s frost or bad weather ahead, you can spray a desiccant and move up your harvest dates by 3-5 days. Make sure 90% of each plant has seeds that have turned completely brown. Apply Reglone® Ion at a rate of 0.83 L/acre and a water volume of 20 gal/acre (ground applications). Make sure your canola variety is pod shatter resistant.
Always read and follow label directions. Reglone® is a registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company.