Advice For Harvesting Thin, Low-Yielding Canola

The Canola Council of Canada has some advice for harvesting thin, low-yielding canola.

Shawn Senko is an agronomy specialist.

"First is just deciding if you're going to straight-cut or swath the crop...We still want to make sure we're not swathing too early and getting the most yield we can which is waiting until at least 60 or 70 per cent seed colour change."

Senko commented on combine speed.

"They're meant to be fairly full just to get the proper threshing action and run properly. This year, it's going to be trying to do what you can to make sure you're getting enough into the combine to have it running properly. Making sure guards and knives are in good shape, if you're straight cutting. Pickup reel is set at the right speed, don't be too aggressive with it. Same thing if you're swathing, trying to lay a good swath and make sure your pickup is in good shape so you can keep some good ground speed up just to keep the combine operating properly."