May 13, 2002

Canola Planting Date Becoming Critical

Growers facing delayed spring planting should consider seeding canola first when field activity resumes, according to North Dakota State University crop specialists.

Duane Berglund, NDSU extension agronomist, and Kent McKay, area crop specialist at the NDSU North Central Research Extension Center, say planting date studies at Williston, Minot and Carrington indicate a sharp decrease in yield when canola is planted later than mid May compared to April or early May. In most years yield losses reach 30 to 50 percent.

Planting date is especially important for central and western North Dakota, with intended canola acreage south of U.S. Highway 2 at greatest risk of reduced yields when planted beyond May 15.

When canola is planted May 15 or later, the beginning of flowering is delayed into mid July, increasing the risk of heat and moisture stress during this susceptible stage of development.

In areas north of Highway 2, from Renville to Walsh counties, canola can be planted until May 25 without a major decrease in yield due to cooler temperatures in July and August compared to regions farther south and west.

Berglund and McKay say that if canola planting delays extend past May 17 in central and western North Dakota growers should consider changing some of their intended canola acres to sunflower, flax or soybean (if adapted).

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Source: Duane Berglund,(701) 231-8165,dberglun@ndsuext.nodak.edu;
Kent McKay, (701) 857-7682, kmckay@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Gary Moran, (701) 231-7865, gmoran@ndsuext.nodak.edu