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straight cutting
canola.
A guide for
best practices.
An introduction
to straight cutting.
As more canola growers in Western Canada
look to increase efficiency on their farm, straight
cutting, also known as direct combining, is
becoming an increasingly popular subject.
Straight cutting canola has many benefits at
harvest. These include faster field operations
that can result in reduced time and labour
costs, the potential for higher quality seed and
a reduced risk of yield loss. This guide presents
information on current trends in straight cutting
and its advantages over swathing, and gives
helpful tips to get you started.
65% of growers surveyed are interested
in straight cutting canola.
Very
interested
Not at all
interested
25%
Not very
interested
24%
10%
41%
Source: FarmShift Study, 2014 (n=400 respondents)
Somewhat
interested
Trends in canola harvesting.
Swathing has traditionally been seen as a low-risk harvest management practice that increases
the harvestability of canola and provides combining flexibility of windrowed canola. However, time
constraints often lead to swathing too early which can result in smaller seed sizes and reduced yield
potential. In contrast, straight cutting canola can provide better time management and control of
resources at harvest. It also allows canola more time to mature, which has been shown to produce
larger seeds with higher oil content.
Growers in Canada are also starting to recognize that straight cutting helps reduce
time-consuming field operations, cuts extra capital expenditures and can save in terms of
time, labour and equipment. A recent FarmShift study conducted on behalf of BASF Canada
showed that 82% of growers who currently straight cut canola expressed interest in straight cutting
more acres in the future.1 Of the growers who straight cut, many find they are able to reduce field
operations, reduce machinery costs and even report gaining higher yields from the lengthened
pod-filling period. This is consistent with findings in England and Scotland where 85% of surveyed
growers have moved towards straight cutting their canola crop for similar reasons.2
With the appropriate management of your canola fields, you too can take advantage of everything
straight cutting offers for increased harvest efficiency and higher returns. Read on to learn how.
Reasons for straight cutting canola
Fewer field operations
63.8
Higher yield due to longer pod fill
51.7
Lower machinery costs
44.8
Lower risk of yield loss i.e. swaths blowing
32.8
Forced to straight-combine
i.e. shattering, poor crop, etc
15.5
8.6
Improved weed control
Testing system out
Lower green seed counts
3.5
1.7
0 204060 80
% of respondents
Source: Stratus Ag Research, 2014 (n=58 respondents)
Comparing straight cutting to swathing.
Canola harvest management is especially important because canola fields can mature unevenly.
Immature canola pods will shrivel and not contribute to yield, while pods that are too dry may shatter
and cause yield loss.
Swathing
Swathing canola at the optimum stage is very difficult to time, especially during the busy harvest season.
Swathing too early can lead to smaller seeds with locked-in chlorophyll causing dockage. On the other
hand, swathing too late can result in an increased risk of pod shatter during the windrowing process.
During hot, dry autumns, swathing can be a slow process requiring machinery operations in the
early morning, evening, or even throughout the night to help prevent excessive yield loss. In wetter
autumns, canola left in swaths can result in moulding and be difficult to dry, causing problems with
harvest and grain storage.
Straight cutting
Many growers are hesitant to try straight cutting because the canola is left standing in the field for
longer than swathing, leading them to believe that there is potential for increased risk of pod shatter
and yield losses. However, research from the University of Saskatchewan3 has shown that total seed
loss from straight cutting is typically equal to seed loss from swathing. Surprisingly, both methods lose
approximately 10% of canola yields from a total combination of environmental conditions, header loss
and threshing.
Straight cutting canola gives growers more flexibility at harvest time by helping them reduce labour
hours spent on field operations and allowing more control over their resources. Growers are also
reporting that straight cutting canola at a date later than swathing gives canola seeds more time
to mature, producing larger seeds with higher oil content. In addition, pre-harvest applications can
facilitate straight cutting by providing a faster crop and weed dry down, leading to improved field
uniformity, a cleaner sample and reduced seed moisture content.
“We straight cut canola. This year was our first year; did 700 acres. The dockage
was good; the yield was good; the seed size finished out nice, went through the
combines beautiful. Real happy with it.”
– Kelsey Solick, Halkirk, AB
Swathing
Straight cutting
Tips for success in straight cutting.
Because optimal crop management practices for both swathing and straight cutting are almost
identical, agronomists recommend straight cutting a smaller number of acres to start and to gain
familiarity with the process.
% of growers that
straight cut
Average % of canola acres straight cut
40
30
20
10
0
Up to 10%
11 - 20%
21 - 30%
31 - 50%
51 - 99%
All - 100%
% of canola acres straight cut
Most growers who straight cut canola are experimenting with
this practice. However, 15% of growers are straight cutting all
of their canola acres.
Source: FarmShift Study, 2014 (n=254 respondents)
Here are some factors to consider for getting the most out of your straight-cutting harvest:
Field selection
It’s important to choose a field that has uniform stand with a well-knit crop to help reduce pod
shattering. Look for good pod integrity with little disease.
Variety selection
While all varieties can be straight cut, some are more likely to drop or shatter pods due to the
harvesting process or reduced plant moisture levels. Experiment with different varieties in the market
and look out for new shatter-resistant varieties.
Seeding
Plan to seed early and at adequate rates. This can lead to higher populations of smaller canola
plants with less branching resulting in a quicker dry down that is more conducive to straight cutting.
Equipment setup
Having the proper equipment for straight cutting canola can help minimize yield losses at harvest
and improve efficiency. Internal BASF research has shown that most growers who are straight
cutting canola prefer to use a draper header (67%) while the other 28% use an auger header.
There are several header modifications that are being utilized to help facilitate straight cutting as
indicated below. Please review and discuss your options with your equipment dealer.
Type of header
Draper
67%
Auger
28%
Other
5%
Options / modifications
Cross auger / cross auger kit
45%
Pickup reel
38%
Pea auger
9%
Crop dividers
8%
Flex / flex draper / flex header
4%
Crop lifters
1%
Header extension
1%
Seed loss kit
1%
Other misc.
6%
None
23%
Source: FarmShift Study, 2014 (n=254 respondents)
For best results, use a pre-harvest
herbicide application.
There are many benefits when using a pre-harvest application prior to straight cutting canola.
Pre-harvest applications can facilitate straight cutting by providing faster crop and weed
dry down, leading to improved field uniformity, a cleaner sample and reduced seed moisture
content. Reducing green plant material in the grain, due to either undried crop or weed tissue,
can also improve the storability of harvested canola. Undried plant material in stored grain provides
areas that may be prone to heating, which can result in mould development or insect infestations.
Know your pre-harvest herbicide options.
Desiccants (contact herbicides)
Desiccants such as diquat (e.g. Reglone®) have contact properties that provide a rapid dry down
as they burn the green tissue of crops and weeds. There are a number of disadvantages however.
Desiccants are not systemic and do not provide long-term weed control. Applying them too early
could lower seed quality and increase the number of green seeds. They are only effective on the
aboveground biomass that they come into contact with. Often they do not penetrate the canopy and
do not dry down stems. Crops and weeds treated with desiccants can also be subject to regrowth.
Harvest aids (systemic herbicides)
Harvest aids such as glyphosate have systemic properties for a slower but more complete crop dry
down, as they penetrate and translocate throughout the plant, including stems. They can also control
a broad spectrum of perennial and winter annual weeds late in the season – benefits which extend to
the following crop. Their systemic action allows them to move into the roots along with other nutrients
and sugars being transported as the weed shuts down in the fall. This results in a more complete dry
down of both crops and weeds, but the process can take up to 3 weeks.
Contact herbicides
Systemic herbicides
Disrupt cellular processes where droplets land
Translocated to growing points of the plant
Loss of cellular membrane integrity causing cell death
(quick)
Plant dries down in typical senescence period
(slow)
May not penetrate canopy, leaving green stems
Move throughout the plant, including stems and roots
Incomplete plant death, risk of plant regrowth
Complete plant death, reduced risk of plant regrowth
Do not prevent perennial weeds from returning
next year
Help reduce perennial weed population
next year
(diquat, glufosinate)
(glyphosate)
“Traditionally, the product of choice for growers who
are straight combining has been glyphosate, but that’s
only been available to LibertyLink® or Clearfield®
canola growers. The nice thing about having Heat® LQ
registered for pre-harvest applications in canola is
that it is a good option for Roundup Ready® canola
growers to also use.”
– Chris Holzapfel, MSc. PAg., Research Manager,
Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation (IHARF)
Heat LQ – for the ultimate crop
and weed dry down.
By providing both contact and systemic activity, Heat LQ herbicide offers the benefits
of both a harvest aid and a desiccant for a faster, more complete dry down of your canola
crop and weeds.
Heat LQ delivers:
• A faster, more complete crop dry down for a quicker and easier harvest
•Fast broadleaf weed dry down (including volunteer, glyphosate-tolerant canola)
for improved storability and cleaner fields the following season
•The benefits of Kixor®, an innovative Group 14 active that helps dry down
all types of canola
Tank mixing Heat LQ with glyphosate for pre-harvest applications quickens the rate of crop
and weed dry down compared to glyphosate alone. When tank mixed with glyphosate,
it provides excellent broadleaf-weed control that includes control of fall perennials for cleaner
fields next season. With well-defined pre-harvest application timing, Heat LQ is a great option
for canola growers planning to straight cut any type of canola, including Roundup Ready,
LibertyLink and Clearfield varieties.
Comparison of days to harvest
Diquat (i.e. Reglone)
Heat LQ + glyphosate
Glyphosate
Pre-harvest
treatment
applied
Untreated
Relative days to harvest
Heat LQ for pre-harvest results.
“...Heat [LQ] did a marvelous job of desiccating and making the harvestability easier.
I’m sold on straight cutting canola. I’m sold on Heat LQ in the future.”
– Jeremy Pluim, Wetaskiwin, AB
Canola, 7 days after application.
Glyphosate only
Glyphosate + Heat LQ
Source: AgSolutions® Performance Trials, Plenty, SK, 2014
Canola, 8 days after application.
Glyphosate only
Glyphosate + Heat LQ
Source: AgSolutions Performance Trials, Plenty, SK, 2014
Heat LQ application and harvest timing.
Optimal timing
Apply when 60% to 75% of seeds have changed colour. Canola timing for application cannot
be determined by pod colour. Pods must be opened to determine the amount of seed colour.
Canola flowers upwards, so the lowermost pods will contain the first mature seeds, while the
upper pods will contain the last maturing seeds. Seeds on the bottom 2/3 to 3/4 of the plant
will have changed from green to dark brown or black in canola. The pre-harvest interval is
3 days after application.
Too early for application – Applications may result in yield loss.
Pods have started changing colour, but upon opening the pods to examine seeds, the seeds have
not changed colour or just started to change colour. Application prior to correct physiological timing
can potentially reduce yield and/or impact quality.
For more information,
visit agsolutions.ca/HeatLQPreHarvest
or call AgSolutions Customer Care
at 1-877-371-BASF (2273).
FarmShift proprietary study, 2014.
As reported by Stackyard and Farmers Weekly in 2006.
3 Haile et al., 2014. Can. J. Plant Sci.
1
2
Always read and follow label directions.
AgSolutions is a registered trade-mark of BASF Corporation; Clearfield is a registered trade-mark of BASF Agrochemical Products B.V.; HEAT,
and KIXOR are registered trade-marks of BASF SE; all used with permission by BASF Canada Inc. LibertyLink is a registered trade-mark of Bayer
Intellectual Property GmbH. Reglone is a registered trade-mark of Syngenta Ltd. Roundup Ready is a registered trade-mark of Monsanto Technology
LLC, Monsanto Canada licensee. © 2015 BASF Canada Inc.
202029-15