Seed as early as soil conditions permit. Canola will germinate and grow at soil temperatures of 2°C, but 10°C is ideal for rapid emergence. Sustained low soil temperatures have a detrimental effect on the seed embryo. Soil conditions and weather forecasts should guide your decision , however 5°C or higher is a reasonable target for […]
Row Width Ontario spring canola is commonly grown in 19 cm (7.5 in.) spacings. Row widths of 38 cm (15 in.) are also appropriate. Research conducted in Alberta indicates that row closure on 35.5 (14 in) cm row spacings may take a day or so longer than on narrow rows. Yield on 35.5 cm rows […]
Assessing Canola Stands The optimum plant stand is 202,000 to 344,000 plants/ac or 50 to 85 plants/m2 (5 to 8 plants/ft2). At the recommended seeding rate range of 80 to 120 seeds/m2 (320,000 to 485,000 seeds/ac), an emergence rate of approximately 60% will result in acceptable stands. Canola can yield strongly across a wide range […]
Variety Registration For seed to be legally sold in Canada, varieties of Brassica napus (canola and/or oilseed rape) must be registered with the Variety Registration Office under the authority of the Seeds Act. Candidate varieties are tested for certain merit criteria according to guidelines set by the various Canadian canola recommending committees. The Ontario Canola […]
Seed Quality Ensure the seed being planted is of high quality. Germination is the major seed quality consideration used in grading seed lots and certified seed must meet purity and germination standards. Germination standards test the ability of a seed lot to produce normal seedlings under favourable conditions of 95%–100% humidity and 25°C. Stress […]
Swede midge and imported cabbageworm observed in canola At this time, canola exists in Ontario at almost every growth stage. Late planted or re-seeded spring canola is at the seedling stage in Northeastern Ontario. There is also spring canola approaching first flower, and some already in full bloom in the far north and Grey, Bruce, […]
Winter canola has proven to be a profitable field crop that provides diversity to crop rotations in Ontario. If you are considering winter canola, this planning checklist will increase the probability of growing a successful crop. Location Growing location is critical for crop success. Winter survival will be poor in regions with harsh, long winters. […]
Co-written by Dr. Lori Phillips, AAFC Harrow Multicropping practices like double cropping and relay intercropping hold the promise of increased productivity and profitability through the harvest of two crops per year on the same acres of land. Double cropping in southern Ontario is not a new practice; farmers in Essex, Kent and Lambton have for […]
Warm weather and early planting are some of the factors that contributed to big winter canola plants heading into winter in December 2024. There was a lot of foliage and raised growing points. View the December 2024 video here. Did the canola survive the winter? Check this field with me in March 2025. […]
We have likely all heard the term “registered variety” but what does that mean? What kind of registration criteria exist for different field crops and how does that system work in Ontario? What is a registered variety? Registered varieties are unique cultivars, each with their own registration number and a name they must be marketed […]
Dr. Mary Ruth McDonald, pathologist at University of Guelph, and Keith Gabert, agronomist in Alberta with Canola Council of Canada, share their knowledge and experience working with clubroot disease of canola. Hosts Will Runnalls, chair of the Ontario Canola Growers Association, and Meghan Moran, canola specialist with OMAFA, ask these experts all the questions producers […]
Four Ontario producers share their knowledge and experience direct harvesting canola. Terry Phillips grows spring canola in Temiskaming District. Michael Doelman farms in Renfrew County, and typically grows spring canola but has one crop of winter canola under his belt. Jerry Drudge has switched from spring to winter canola on his farm in Huron County. […]
Warm weather and early planting are some of the factors contributing to big winter canola plants heading into winter in November 2024. What can we expect this winter and next spring in fields that have huge plants? (See the March 2025 follow-up HERE) […]
In 2024 there were approximately 50,500 acres of canola insured by Agricorp. This includes winter canola seeded in the fall of 2023 and spring canola seeded in 2024, both of which had a modest increase in acreage compared to last year. Spring Canola Acres of spring canola in Temiskaming District, where the greatest acreage of […]
By Tracey Baute and Meghan Moran Spring canola producers will have the option of Buteo (flupyradifurone) or Lumiderm (cyantraniliprole) insecticide seed treatment on some varieties this year, in addition to the Helix Vibrance seed treatment. Producers have reported they prefer Buteo for managing flea beetles, but that is the only insect on the Buteo label. […]