Harvest Aids For Uneven Crops

Aug 05, 2011

Harvest Aids For Uneven Crops

Fields with variable stages need to be scouted carefully to determine which stage will contribute most to overall yield. If later stages are the minority and the greatest yield contribution is from earliest stages, then maybe there is no need to hasten maturity.

If growers decided they need to spray to even out or dry down the crop, the choices are glyphosate or Reglone. Reglone is a contact herbicide (only kills what it contacts) and is registered in canola to dry immature green material to facilitate harvest. Reglone does not hasten crop maturity. It shuts the plant down quickly and basically STOPS it from maturing, which can lock in high green seed levels if applied prematurely. The recommended timing for application on canola is when 60 to 75% of the seed has turned brown, which is past the stage when swathing would typically be recommended. Applying Reglone earlier may result in higher green seed. The label indicates that it should be only applied to napus canola to facilitate dry down of lodged canola crops. Efficacy will be maximized with higher water volumes (91 to 222 L per acre ground or 18 L per acre aerial). Growers using Reglone on canola to be straight combined take note: Reglone can significantly increase both pod shatter and pod drop if harvesting is delayed, so be prepared to combine as soon green seed and seed moisture have reached suitable levels.

Glyphosate is registered for pre-harvest perennial weed control in canola. If a field can be sprayed during the longer, warmer days in August, then glyphosate can accelerate crop dry down. However, applications in September (when days are shorter and tend to be cooler) should be made with perennial weed control as the main goal. Any benefit to crop dry down should be seen as a bonus because at this time of year it can take weeks to see green material dry down. If the canola is glyphosate tolerant, then obviously no crop dry down will occur. Glyphosate is to be applied when the majority of seeds within the pod are yellow to brown in colour which is at least 30% seed colour change (which corresponds to when seed moisture is less than 30%).

Source: Canola Council of Canada

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.