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Story Posted: October 19, 2010 Canola Watch: What is "distinctly green"? In This Issue: Rules for "distinctly green" and other grading factors, Low expectations for fall seeded canola, Questions and contacts. Rules for "distinctly green" and other grading factors
The Canadian Grain Commission's Official Grain Grading Guide, which you can read online, says damaged seed includes canola seeds that are: Distinctly shrunken or shriveled; badly discoloured from mould; completely and densely covered with rime; excessively weathered, sprouted, tan coloured, distinctly green, heated, insect damaged or otherwise damaged. Not all green is "distinctly" green Borderline light green or greenish yellow seeds are not distinctly green and are not included in the green total, says Murray Hanson, CGC operation supervisor for Manitoba. These pale green or immature seeds are taken into account in the evaluation of colour. (Read the colour section in the Grain Grading Guide.) Growers with concerns about the canola grade they have received can get a second opinion by sending a representative sample to the CGC for grading. The CGC will provide this service for free until December 1st. Click here for details. And for canola that is downgraded check out the discount schedules with a variety of buyers. Different delivery points may have different discounts for lower grades depending on the specific downgrading factors and their costs for additional handling, blending or processing to meet their customers' tolerances. Low expectations for fall seeded canola Fall seeded canola is risky. With wet soil conditions, any warm temperatures this fall may lead to premature germination of dormant seeded canola. Spring freeze and thaw cycles can also greatly reduce seed soundness and germination rates. Growers may want to increase the seeding rate - maybe even double the rate - to attempt to compensate for the high risk seed environment. What kind of seed to use? Using new seed or carryover treated seed may increase odds for success but will also increase costs. However, bin run seed is generally not recommended based on both legal and agronomic considerations. Growers have to be aware of production contract agreements that do not allow seed re-use for many varieties. Research has also indicated that certified hybrid seed outperforms bin run F2 seed. The Canola Council of Canada does not recommend the practice of using bin-run seed. Also, seed without seed treatment will be more vulnerable to seedling blights, root rots and flea beetle damage. Crop insurance for fall-seeded canola varies by jurisdiction. AFSC in Alberta and SCIC in Saskatchewan do not provide winterkill coverage but will provide crop insurance next spring if the crop passes an establishment assessment. Manitoba provides no coverage for fall-seeded canola. In short, fall seeding canola has worked occasionally, but in many cases the risks will be at least as great as the ones producers are trying to avoid, so keep expectations low. Click here for more from the Canola Growers' Manual.
Questions and contacts If you have questions on regional issues, contact one of the following Canola Council of Canada regional agronomists or provincial oilseed specialists:
This report is supported by each of the provincial canola grower associations. For more information on some of their activities, check out the following links:
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