Canola Report: Week of April 23rd, 2012

Planting is 70 % complete in West – Central Ontario. Early April planted fields are in cotyledon to 1st leaf stage with good emergence. Timely rainfall received in most areas will help even emergence of later planted stands. Emergence is occurring in 10 to 14 days under cold soil temperature conditions. Pay attention to 1000 kernel seed weight (grams per 1000 seeds) and adjust seeding rate accordingly. Don’t plant by pounds per acre. Optimum plant population target is 7 to 10 plants/ft 2. Significant differences in seed size exist between varieties and seed lots. If needed, bulk seed with pelletized sulphur, Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) or corn cob grits to calibrate seeding rates. Using MAP has advantage of providing starter phosphorous (P). Starter P response is highest on low testing P fields, early seeding or seeding into cold soil conditions.