Your canola harvest is shaping up to look a little different this year.
Drought and extreme heat across the Prairies have resulted in the majority of canola crops being at least one or two weeks ahead of schedule in terms of their maturity. Most crops also suffered the effects of drought stress, resulting in a shorter, thinner canopy than usual.
This combination of circumstances means many canola fields aren’t uniformly mature, which could make harvesting much more challenging than usual, according to Shawn Senko, an agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada (CCC).
We recently sat down with him to discuss some of the challenges facing canola growers this harvest season.
Harvest Management with a Thin, Lighter Crop
This season’s thin, drought-stressed crop introduces new challenges at harvest. Many fields are maturing unevenly, and lighter canopies are more vulnerable to wind damage and pod loss. Senko notes that growers will need to evaluate fields frequently to stay ahead of changing conditions.
He explains, “Your crop condition can change fairly rapidly this year, so it’s certainly worthwhile to frequently scout your fields as the crop moves into maturity.”
Senko also points out the impact of environmental stress throughout the season, stating, “We’ve had a lot of conditions this year that have put stress on the pods, so we want to make sure that pod integrity is holding together before we make swathing decisions.”
Swath or Straight Cut?
One of the biggest decisions growers face this year is whether to swath or straight cut. According to Senko, neither approach is universally better; it depends on how each field has handled environmental stress. Thinner stands tend to move more in the wind, making swathing riskier, while straight cutting can help preserve pod integrity if harvest timing is carefully managed.
A pre-harvest desiccant may help even out fields where maturity varies significantly. Senko emphasizes that monitoring seed colour change and adjusting harvest timing accordingly will be critical. In some cases, using a combination of swathing and straight cutting across different fields — or even within the same field — may help mitigate losses.
The Right Time to Harvest
One thing you’ll want to be careful of this year is harvesting too soon. Although canopies may appear to be browning up, it could be a result of a condition referred to as sun scald, which occurs when plants ripen during periods of heat or other stresses.
Senko recommends going into your field and checking a sampling of pods to make sure there’s a minimum of 60% seed colour change before beginning to swath or cut your crop.
Adjust the Settings on Your Combine
A common topic of conversation for canola producers by this time is harvest loss. It’s likely even more top of mind this year due to the extreme weather conditions.
Senko’s advice is to make sure that you set your combine to measure any losses they incur. In addition, the CCC has a new harvest app available that allows you to plug in your numbers and calculate your losses.
Something else to keep in mind is to make sure that you adjust the settings on your combine to reflect the fact that this year’s crop is likely to be smaller than usual.
“It’s going to be different combine settings than you would normally expect,” Senko explains. “If you use the same settings you use in normal conditions there’s a chance you might be throwing some over.”
FAQ
What challenges are canola growers facing during the 2023 harvest?
Canola growers are dealing with crops that are maturing ahead of schedule and have thinner, less uniform canopies due to drought and extreme heat.
Should I choose swathing or straight cutting for my canola harvest?
The best method depends on your specific situation. Swathing is common but riskier with thin crops while straight cutting requires you to harvest sooner to reduce wind damage. Sometimes a combination of both methods works best.
How can I determine if my canola crop is ready to harvest?
You should check a sampling of pods in your field and ensure there is at least 60% seed colour change before beginning to swath or cut your crop.
What adjustments should be made to combine settings for this year’s canola harvest?
Settings should be adapted to accommodate this year’s smaller crop. Using the same settings as in normal conditions could result in increased harvest loss so be sure to measure losses and adjust accordingly.
