How green should you cut Canola?

[Klause]

If it is cool like now cut it greenish. Cutting in the rain is best if you cut in the rain the plant doesn't seal the cut stem and will absorb water and continue maturation.


If it's hot and dry swathing on thr green side will shrink it.


Even cut wet it'll shrink some... However 30 bu of #1 is way better than 25 bu of sample after a frost.


The advice of hard green seeds is a very good rule of thumb... If you can't squish them they will turn black and be filled with oil.

[blackpowder]

They should have some color change starting to show in the berries by then as well. By then it can change quick. Straight cutting takes a little more guts and finesse.
If seeding Canola will be a repeat for next year Rotoshears should be in your budget!!

[SASKFARMER3]

Boy the strategy for Canola. With lots of acres its easy. Know your fields walk fields and then sacrifice the first few because you will never get them all done perfect. Even with a bunch of cutters. When I can roll the seed of a really green pod its time to cut. Color change happens quick and hail or flood can make a field a challenge. Lodged Canola or leaning to Allah is a challenge. Fast west then slow East.
Have fun its suck a great crop. Super expensive seed that does the same as it use to. Were paying way to much for varieties that are no better than we use to grow. Bayer and Monsanto and DeKalb take note. Recycling is not working.

[Braveheart]

Sumdumguy, when I read your topic I thought you wanted to hurry on the swathing. That be the case, green but firm to roll.

The proper way, if time permits, is, find the main stem. Section it into thirds. Picks pod or two from each third. Bottom pods should should contain seeds that are all brown/black. Middle pods shoul be mostly changed,some greenish evident. Top third pods should be firm to roll with green seed having spots of colour change.

Good luck with your canola.

By the way, if you're swathing east/west, start on the north side and work south. If swathing north/south, start on the east side and work west. By doing this leaning canola leans onto the d****rs and doesn't get hung on the divider.

[nicolaas]

canola council studies have shown the yield difference between cutting at 80% color change and "just starting to change color at the bottom" could be up to 10%. -swath at night/ morning or in the rain if you wait this long. Otherwise, make sure you cannot crush to top pod seeds between your fingers, and you should be alright.

[seabass]

Throw all that good advice out the window this year and just start cutting if the seeds arent watery. Its gonna freeze next week and if u dont get the pods to wilt for a few days u are , gonna have lots of sample canola. Take what u can this year and be happy. Ask yourself what sample canola will be worth.

[sumdumguy]

Thank you for the advice. Really appreciate. Cutting is going well. We are half-done and no stopping now. What to do with the standing Durum? We can desiccate by air?

[furrowtickler]

What does the canola council say if canola is 10-20 percent color change with frost on the doorstep - yup nothin - they only recommend good practices when all other conditions are perfect .
Kinda like reseeding - they say never worth it - b/s if you have a thin stand followed by rains and heavy weed pressure - that will haunt you for years .
Point is very rarely are conditions ideal any where - proof look at what is happening right now
everywhere in western canada .
Anyway if your canola is even close - cut it now - 10% loss is *** all compared to 50-60% loss JMO

[wmoebis]

Is anyone leaving test strips so you can try both or all different ways?

Or maybe I should ask if any of the research money goes toward this kind of research?

[bucket]

Research money for swathing practices? You are just talking crazy talk now!