Studies at Lacombe and other locations (AAFC) have shown that higher seeding rates and establishing a more competitive plant stand will enhance crop health. However, it is generally felt that farmers tend to seed at less than optimal rates and at times under less than optimal seeding management (speed, depth, fertilizer placement etc). 

Establishing optimal plant stands enhances the competitiveness of canola crops. This project is designed to show farmers that optimal stands can lead to agronomic and economic advantages. Enhanced crop competitiveness, improved weed control, more even maturity, less dockage and better net returns are some of the advantages. 

An extension spin-off of this project is helping farmers better understand how to scout their fields and assess the results of different seeding management practices. Through crop walks and tours, scouting techniques were demonstrated. 

Seven sites were selected to demonstrate the impact of seeding rates, seeding dates and plant populations on crop health and crop competitiveness. Farmer plots were field scale with the treatments being seeding rates and other seeding management such as speed or depth. Cooperating farmers seeded, maintained and harvested with their own equipment. The diagnostic school plots at Lethbridge and Olds College also included other agronomic factors such as ESN vs regular urea, seed bed utilization and fertilizer rates. 

Crop walks and tours addressed stand establishment principles, seeding rates and crop scouting. This is primarily a demonstration project with the aim of helping canola growers establish more competitive crops that will lead to enhanced herbicide efficacy, improved yields, better harvestability and increased net returns

open the attached PDF for the full report