Best I've ever done was about 1250 lbs/ac(25 bushels), expect less, had 750 lbs too. It can and should be straight cut(we use a flex head with an auger that is locked up) because if you let it get too ripe before swathing it would be like swathing tumble weeds--impossible. It can shell in real bad winds but has real good resistance. I would still give it sulfur(ratio like canola) and if conditions are right for disease spray it for sclerotinia(might keep it green longer-delayed maturity but we have seen sclerotinia in mustard in low spots around here). Treat it like canola with less fertilizer, but don't starve it. I would use a canola nutrient uptake and removal chart and reduce it by what you think you can grow with average rainfall. We seed 10-12 lbs/ac.
Check the authority claim(it might be Minor Use Registration). I think they want it applied at a reduced(light) rate and therefore only claim "suppression" of cleavers. There was a good presentation from FMC of Canada at the Mustard Meeting at Crop Production Show. There could be some mustard losses with it as well, if that is the case go to 12 pounds per acre(seed can be quite large). Exercise caution.
I think there could be one more year of good prices because the pipeline will be basically empty by the time new crop comes along. If there is a wreck, then there may be another good year of prices. Have you decided to try to contract some or go it alone? I don't think there is a huge downside risk unless tonnes of it get grown, but wtf do I know...(just ask me about wheat and canola sales to date).
Color sorters can turn sows ears into silk purses, but that benefit is to the companies who own them. It is surprising how poorer quality mustard can fetch a good price when supplies are low. Mine was downgraded because of cleavers but still managed to get a real good price.
Crop left standing after maturity that gets rained on can get rime seeds--white from the inside of the seed pod sticking to the seed. I can't imagine this is too big of a problem unless it is being used in the whole seed market but then again, I bought a small bag of whole mustard seed to make sausage that had some seeds white with rime. If its crushed or ground into flour...
We did quite well with our carry-over $96000 on about 155 acres, almost $620/ acre gross. Never paid that for the land in 1997.
Good luck, hope you hit a home run with it!!
Check the authority claim(it might be Minor Use Registration). I think they want it applied at a reduced(light) rate and therefore only claim "suppression" of cleavers. There was a good presentation from FMC of Canada at the Mustard Meeting at Crop Production Show. There could be some mustard losses with it as well, if that is the case go to 12 pounds per acre(seed can be quite large). Exercise caution.
I think there could be one more year of good prices because the pipeline will be basically empty by the time new crop comes along. If there is a wreck, then there may be another good year of prices. Have you decided to try to contract some or go it alone? I don't think there is a huge downside risk unless tonnes of it get grown, but wtf do I know...(just ask me about wheat and canola sales to date).
Color sorters can turn sows ears into silk purses, but that benefit is to the companies who own them. It is surprising how poorer quality mustard can fetch a good price when supplies are low. Mine was downgraded because of cleavers but still managed to get a real good price.
Crop left standing after maturity that gets rained on can get rime seeds--white from the inside of the seed pod sticking to the seed. I can't imagine this is too big of a problem unless it is being used in the whole seed market but then again, I bought a small bag of whole mustard seed to make sausage that had some seeds white with rime. If its crushed or ground into flour...
We did quite well with our carry-over $96000 on about 155 acres, almost $620/ acre gross. Never paid that for the land in 1997.
Good luck, hope you hit a home run with it!!
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