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Harvest Timing

If you don’t already have crops being harvested, you’re likely keeping a close eye on your fields to decide when to start. Just like any other crop, the timing of when you begin harvesting your canola can have significant impacts on yield and quality. Here are a few things to keep in mind as your fields progress this fall. 

Choosing Between Straight Cutting and Swathing 

The first major decision is whether you will straight cut or swath your crop. This choice is often influenced by the hybrid you planted. If you seeded canola with pod shatter protection, such as a Pod DefendR® hybrid, you may be able to leave these fields standing for straight cutting. 

Before taking the combine straight to the field, consider factors such as: 

  • Whether the field is well-knit together 
  • Overall crop uniformity 
  • Pod integrity 
  • Frost risk 

Season-long field conditions can affect all of these. A field that appeared ideal for straight cutting in spring may now be a better candidate for swathing to avoid potential yield losses due to unfavorable conditions. 

How Frost and Disease Influence Timing 

For crops facing the risk of frost, it’s important to remember that swathed canola only reduces frost-related yield losses if it has had time to drop below 20% moisture. 

Disease pressure can also affect harvest decisions. While some diseases weaken pod integrity, Sclerotinia can spread aggressively in a swath under the right conditions, potentially causing additional damage. 

Additional Considerations Before Straight Cutting 

  • Field integrity and uniformity: Confirm the crop is well-knit and consistent for straight cutting. 
  • Pod condition and frost risk: Assess whether weakened pods or higher frost risk may make swathing a safer option. 
  • Impact of weather and disease: Consider how growing-season conditions may have shifted your original harvest plan. 

Swath Timing 

If you are heading out to swath your canola, you will want to do so at 60% seed colour change (SCC). Determining proper SCC before swathing helps to reduce yield losses and green seed counts. Achieving at least 60% SCC prior to swathing is an under-utilized practice in western Canada. 

Determining SCC 

SCC is determined by opening pods on the main stem of the canola plant. Starting at the bottom and working up, open the pods to see if there is any colour change on the seeds (even a small spot on one seed counts!).  
 
Once you get to the pods that no longer have any colour change, evaluate how much of the plant does have some change in it from 0% (none of the pods having colour change) to 100% (all of the pods having colour change).  
 
60% SCC means that 60% of the way up the main stem should have pods with some SCC to them. Seeds at the top of the stem at this point should be firm, being able to be rolled in your fingers without being squished. 

Tips for Determining SCC Accurately 

  • Sample pods from main stem: Begin at the bottom and move up, checking for any seed colour change.   
  • Evaluate percentage on main stem: Estimate the proportion of pods with colour change from base to top.   
  • Check pod firmness: Ensure upper stem seeds are firm and can be rolled without being squished.   
  • Scout multiple areas: Walk different spots in the field instead of relying on the roadside.   
  • Adjust for side branches if needed: If yield is higher on side branches, focus your assessment there.   
  • Monitor regularly: Return every few days to track SCC progress as harvest approaches.   

Harvest Timing 

If you’ve chosen to straight cut your canola, you’ll be leaving it to mature standing, but deciding when to harvest your canola is the same timing no matter which method you’ve chosen to go with. You are looking for no more than 10% moisture, when the pods are dry and you can hear the seeds rattling around inside of them. 

Harvest Timing Cues 

  • Dry pod texture: Wait until pods are dry and papery to the touch.   
  • Seed rattle inside pods: Listen for a rattling sound when pods are shaken.   
  • Moisture below 10%: Confirm seed moisture has dropped to or below 10%.   
  • Prioritize uniform ripening: Ensure the entire field is mature for consistent harvest results.   

Overall, whichever method you are choosing to take in your canola crop this year, scouting is key. Knowing your field conditions helps to make an informed decision on whether or not to swath and the correct timing for harvest.  
 
The end goal is to minimize losses from pods shattering onto the ground through the wrong harvest choice or being too ripe and to reduce green seed numbers by making sure the crop has been given enough time to ripen. 

FAQ

Why is timing important when harvesting canola? 

Timing is crucial because it can greatly affect both yield and quality. Harvesting at the right time helps minimize losses and maintain crop quality. 

What factors should be considered before deciding to swath or straight cut? 

You should consider whether your canola hybrid has pod shatter protection, the uniformity and integrity of the crop, how well-knit the field is, disease pressure and the risk of frost. 

How is seed colour change (SCC) used when deciding to swath canola? 

SCC is measured by checking pods for colour change on the seeds along the main stem. Swathing is recommended at 60% SCC which helps reduce yield losses and green seed counts. 

When is the ideal time to harvest canola, regardless of harvest method? 

The best time is when the pods are dry, the seeds rattle inside the pods and the seed moisture is no more than 10%. 

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