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Prairie Grains is the official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat, Inc., and the Minnesota Barley Growers Association.

"With the increase in acreage, we expect to see numerous new growers and growers with minimal experience in growing canola," says Greg Endres, a cropping specialist at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center. "Establishing a vigorous canola stand with an adequate and uniform density is a key to success. Everything that comes later depends on how well the stand is established."

Numerous canola planting date trials in Canada and the U.S. generally tell the same story—delayed planting reduces yield, Endres says. Three years of research at the Carrington center also indicate that early planting is best for canola production. Researchers there planted canola from about May 1 to mid-June to determine the effect planting date had on yield. The earliest planted canola yielded nearly 700 pounds per acre more than the latest planted crop. Canola planted the first week of May yielded from 100 to 150 pounds more than canola planted one to two weeks later.

Canola is very susceptible to heat and dry weather, Endres says. So early planting helps the crop avoid those summer stresses. The goal is for the crop to get through its first two weeks of flowering and initial seed production without significant heat or moisture stress. The result will be higher seed yields. Increased yield potential is due to uniform seed development, reduced potential for flea beetle injury, less competition from warm-season weeds, less lodging, fewer green seeds at harvest and a reduced risk of frost injury. Studies also indicate that oil content declines as planting is delayed.

"You can’t manage the weather," Endres says. "But you can increase your odds of success by planting early. We’re encouraging producers to put canola at the top of their planting list, ahead of their small grains."

And how you plant is as important as when you plant, says Duane Berglund, an agronomist with the NDSU Extension Service.

He says canola seed should be planted three-fourths- to one-inch deep in a firm, moist seedbed. The seedbed should be packed over the seed. Planting deeper than 1½ inches will result in a thin and uneven stand. Producers should avoid broadcast seeding canola and then harrowing the seed into the ground. "That just doesn’t work with this crop," Berglund says.

Producers also need to be aware of the unique pest and fertility concerns associated with canola, he adds. "If you’ve had any history of flea beetle problems where you’re planting canola, the purchased seed should be treated with Gaucho to ward off any early season infestations."

Producers also need to be aware that canola is heavily dependent on adequate sulfur fertility. "Sulfur is every bit as important for canola as nitrogen and phosphorus," Berglund says. "So you need to test for sulfur in your fertility program. Some added sulfur should always be a part of any canola fertility management program."

Berglund says producers should purchase seed that is well adapted to local growing conditions. Numerous canola cultivar choices are available, and canola cultivar performance information is available from county extension offices. He cautions producers to avoid using bin-run seed. "If you use bin-run seed, you run the risk of having poor seedling vigor, and the seed can carry a disease pathogen called blackleg."

The federal loan rate makes canola a promising option in planting plans this summer. The crop is also useful as producers modify rotations to deal with insect problems like the wheat midge and disease concerns like scab.

NDSU releases Reeder hard red spring wheat variety
The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station has released Reeder, a new semidwarf hard red spring wheat variety. Reeder will be available this spring to North Dakota county crop improvement associations and the North Dakota Agricultural Association for increase during the 1999 growing season.

Named after the town in Adams County, Reeder is best adapted to western North Dakota, where it is expected to replace 2395, McNeal and 2398, says Al Schneiter, chairman of the Department of Plant Sciences at North Dakota State University. If Reeder were to replace only one-half of the current acreage of those older varieties in the western third of the state, producers’ annual income in that area should grow by about $4.7 million, based on current wheat prices and Reeder’s yield advantage compared to 2395, McNeal and 2398.

Reeder resulted from a complex cross involving a relative of Stoa, an NDSU experimental line and germplasm from a breeding program in Brazil, says Richard Frohberg, NDSU’s hard red spring wheat breeder. The effort to produce Reeder began in 1989.

An awned variety, Reeder is similar to Grandin in maturity, plant height, lodging resistance and test weight. Reeder is slightly lower in protein content than either Grandin or Butte 86. Reeder’s milling and baking properties are acceptable.

Frohberg says Reeder has demonstrated resistance to the predominant Upper Midwest races of leaf and stem rust, but it is susceptible to Fusarium head blight (scab) and common root rot.