While farmers have been growing canola in the Brown Soil Zone for several years, it still remains a higher risk crop. The potential for hot, dry weather, particularly during flowering, tends to be high in this region. In addition, canola requires higher inputs, which creates more risks for producers. Early seeding of Argentine varieties or using Polish varieties is most commonly practiced. Although Polish canola matures much earlier, many farmers still want the higher yield potential that is available with Argentine types. Canola is often seeded onto summerfallow in this region, but there can be serious problems with crusting.
So, what techniques can farmers use to reduce risk and improve the yield potential? Fall seeding of canola appears to have tremendous potential for the southwest as well as other areas of Saskatchewan. The coating applied to the canola seed prevents it from taking on moisture and germinating until spring. This allows the canola to germinate earlier in the spring than spring seeded canolas. There is obviously a risk of frost, but the potential benefits in terms of yield potential and early harvest is very encouraging. However, if there is an early killing frost that takes out the crop, there is usually time to re-seed the canola or seed a different crop. When using this technique, one must use a herbicide tolerant variety of canola in order to control weeds like winter annuals.
In most cases, fall seeded canola is being seeded into stubble. This allows for snowtrapping and the crusting problems that are common with summerfallow, are significantly reduced when seeded in stubble. There are also advantages with stubble creating a microclimate for the canola, protecting it from wind shear, heat canker, and evaporation of soil moisture. There are several advantages to early emergence. Early emergence can take advantage of available stored soil moisture and develop before the weeds. The combination of early herbicide application and canopy development will usually result in excellent weed control. Plots at the Agriculture Canada Research Station (SPARC) at Swift Current showed the fall-seeded canola grew taller than the spring seeded canola.
The yield potential of fall seeded canola is also higher. Although this year has had probably the perfect weather for canola during flowering, on average fall seeded canola will have a longer period of flowering without stress. The longer canola flowers, the higher its yield potential.
As with spring seeded canola, adequate fertilizer must be applied. If the crop runs out of nutrients too early, the plant will have to maintain its plant growth and seed production will be compromised. Canola is a high user of sulfur and is very sensitive to sulfur deficiencies, so addressing this nutrient is very important.
All in all, fall seeded canola will offer producers another tool to improve their bottom line with higher yield, while at the same time, reduce risk and improve weed control.