Sources of new canola variety information
How have you managed the fallout of the killing frosts? Some of you managed to dodge the bullet, thank goodness. Did you swath? Was it the right move? I'd like to hear what happened. Drop me a line - lyndsey at fbcpublishing dot com
But on to choosing a new canola variety. Is it my imagination or does booking canola seed happen earlier every year? Sort of like the Christmas decorations at Costco being put out over the September long weekend, right? Something like that.
I was speaking with a farmer and faithful Grainews reader just this week who had already booked seed for 2011. He's going with a tried and true specialty canola variety that's done well for him in the past. It's a logical choice, sure, but each year there are several new lines to choose from. This brings me to a few questions: how do you decide when to try a new one? What do you factor in to your decision? Where do you go for variety comparison data?
I ask this because, unlike the past several years, there were no Prairie Canola Variety Trials (PCVT) in 2010. This means there isn't a one-stop-shop for third-party data available on new 2011 varieties. Comparison data of older lines (I use the term loosely) is still available, but for this year at least, you're on your own.
In the late October issue of Grainews, I'll be listing all of the new canola varieties for 2011, but will have to list company data for these lines. And that's OK, but perhaps not ideal. But, some would argue, neither was the information gleaned from the PCVTs. It's true that the trials weren't perfect - plots were treated the same, even when the lines had different herbicide tolerance and maturities. I can't say I entirely blame some companies for withdrawing their support.
But farmers deserve some sort of third-party comparison. I've spoken with a few seed companies and they agree. Next up, I'll speak with the Canola Council of Canada, the group spearheading the replacement or revamping of the PCVTs. I'll let you know what I find out.
In the meantime, there are places you can go to find information. Here are a few:
- The current seed guide by province, or its website. Alberta, www.seed.ab.ca, Saskatchewan, www.saskseed.ca and Manitoba, www.seed.mb.ca
- The Canola Council of Canada has WCC/RRC data, however it should be noted these comparisons are made under different trial protocols. Contact Raymond Gadoua at gadouar at canola council dot org for the list.
- Check with your local research group
and
- Ask the seed company for its data
(Thanks to the Canola Council for compiling this list. The full version will appear in the October 18 issue of Grainews)
But on to choosing a new canola variety. Is it my imagination or does booking canola seed happen earlier every year? Sort of like the Christmas decorations at Costco being put out over the September long weekend, right? Something like that.
I was speaking with a farmer and faithful Grainews reader just this week who had already booked seed for 2011. He's going with a tried and true specialty canola variety that's done well for him in the past. It's a logical choice, sure, but each year there are several new lines to choose from. This brings me to a few questions: how do you decide when to try a new one? What do you factor in to your decision? Where do you go for variety comparison data?
I ask this because, unlike the past several years, there were no Prairie Canola Variety Trials (PCVT) in 2010. This means there isn't a one-stop-shop for third-party data available on new 2011 varieties. Comparison data of older lines (I use the term loosely) is still available, but for this year at least, you're on your own.
In the late October issue of Grainews, I'll be listing all of the new canola varieties for 2011, but will have to list company data for these lines. And that's OK, but perhaps not ideal. But, some would argue, neither was the information gleaned from the PCVTs. It's true that the trials weren't perfect - plots were treated the same, even when the lines had different herbicide tolerance and maturities. I can't say I entirely blame some companies for withdrawing their support.
But farmers deserve some sort of third-party comparison. I've spoken with a few seed companies and they agree. Next up, I'll speak with the Canola Council of Canada, the group spearheading the replacement or revamping of the PCVTs. I'll let you know what I find out.
In the meantime, there are places you can go to find information. Here are a few:
- The current seed guide by province, or its website. Alberta, www.seed.ab.ca, Saskatchewan, www.saskseed.ca and Manitoba, www.seed.mb.ca
- The Canola Council of Canada has WCC/RRC data, however it should be noted these comparisons are made under different trial protocols. Contact Raymond Gadoua at gadouar at canola council dot org for the list.
- Check with your local research group
and
- Ask the seed company for its data
(Thanks to the Canola Council for compiling this list. The full version will appear in the October 18 issue of Grainews)
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