Before determining the best time to swath, it’s important to understand how seed colour change (SCC) develops across the plant and why timing affects yield, harvest flexibility, and crop quality. Swathing is a common management strategy, but the optimal window depends on careful field checks and knowing what to look for in your pods and plants.
That Optimal Swathing Window
Optimal canola swath timing is at 60% seed colour change (SCC) or later. While this sounds straightforward, the most accurate way to assess SCC is by walking fields and cracking open pods. On the main stem, seeds should typically show:
- Bottom third: brown-black
- Middle third: brown
- Top third: green but firm
“When determining swath timing, it’s best to look where the bulk of the yield is coming from,” said Justine Cornelsen. “If the majority of the yield is in the side branches, then they need to be looked at to help determine overall SCC of the field.”
Monitoring SCC Progress
About 10 days after flowering ends, growers should begin checking their fields. Extreme heat and sunscald may make canola appear more mature than it truly is, so Cornelsen recommends monitoring SCC every couple of days. As a guideline, SCC increases roughly 10% every two to three days, with faster increases under hot, dry conditions.
Once canola is swathed, seeds no longer continue to fill. This is why cutting near full maturity helps minimize yield losses. Seeds complete filling around 40% moisture, and drying time after swathing can vary from several days to a few weeks depending on environmental conditions.
Why Swath Canola?
While swathed canola requires time to dry down, swathing can enable an earlier harvest and offers flexibility during a short fall window. It is particularly useful in uneven fields, where maturity and biomass vary across the crop.
“If you haven’t sold your swather yet, BY 6216TF is the hybrid for you,” said Cornelsen.
BY 6216TF is a mid-maturity hybrid with full-season yield performance and DefendR®-rated clubroot and blackleg resistance. Its height and strong standability make it well suited for swathing. Although swathed acres may be decreasing, Cornelsen notes the practice remains a strong option for growers seeking added harvest flexibility.
Meanwhile, BY 6217TF comes equipped with Pod DefendR®, BrettYoung’s shatter reduction trait suitable for straight cutting. It also carries clubroot and blackleg DefendR protection and the versatility of the TruFlex® system.
Key Benefits of Swathing Canola
- Can enable earlier harvest
- Adds flexibility during tight fall windows
- Helps manage uneven maturity or green biomass
- Works well with hybrids like BY 6216TF
- Supports disease- and shatter-resistance strategies
Explore the full range of BrettYoung canola hybrids to find the right fit for your farm.
FAQ
What is the optimal seed colour change percentage for swathing canola?
The optimal time to swath canola is at 60 percent seed colour change or later.
How can you accurately assess when your canola crop is ready to swath?
Go into the field and check pods on the main stem. Bottom third pods should have brown-black seeds, middle pods brown seeds and top pods green but firm seeds.
Why is swathing still a valuable harvest strategy for canola growers?
Swathing allows for an earlier harvest, offers flexibility during a short fall harvest period and can handle uneven fields more effectively.
What is special about the BY 6216TF canola hybrid mentioned in the article?
BY 6216TF is a mid-maturity hybrid with full-season yield performance, DefendR-rated clubroot and blackleg resistance and good standability for swathing.
