Canola System Rotation Now More Important than Ever

Jan 10, 2013

Canola Growers Can Maximize Profits by Rotating Canola Systems

Canola is one of Canada’s most consistent and highest profit generating crops, so it’s probably no surprise given its high market value that some growers are using tight canola rotations in order to capitalize on the crop’s profitability.

Barry Chappell, a producer from Hamiota, Manitoba estimates that less than 50% of growers actually rotate their canola systems to maximize their yields.

Understanding the value of system rotation is important. Chappell provides some insight into some of those benefits. The first thing to know is that rotating canola systems can help boost yield, improve weed control and assist with better disease and weed resistance management. Another value for the grower is that by rotating systems it allows for herbicide groups with different modes of action – this can be a real benefit in volunteer control.

The Canola Council of Canada also encourages rotating canola systems. In Canola Watch it says, “Growers who choose to seed canola on canola should rotate herbicide-tolerance systems on that field. For example, if they seeded Roundup Ready canola two years ago, this year use a different system on that field. This provides an important opportunity for post-emergent volunteer control, especially if growers missed an opportunity to apply herbicide before seeding.”

It’s essential that growers adopt best practices in order to mitigate risk by rotating their canola systems. Rotating to another canola variety or growing canola on a three year rotation cycle are growers best options to help combat disease and to maximize yield.

More information on best practices can be found on the Canola Council of Canada’s website.

Video: How Can We Grow More Food With Less Impact?

For over two decades, Dr. Mitloehner has been at the forefront of research on how animal agriculture affects our air and our climate. With deep expertise in emissions and volatile organic compounds, his work initially focused on air quality in regions like California’s Central Valley—home to both the nation’s richest agricultural output and some of its poorest air quality.

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