The latest research and production information on winter canola will be featured at a series of K-State Research and Extension field days on May 24 and 25.

The field days will give producers several opportunities to see winter canola research plots and producer fields, said Mike Stamm, Kansas State University canola breeder. Current research being conducted at the university’s South Central Experiment Field near Hutchinson, as well as canola production fields near Concordia, Haven and Andale are on the schedule. Harvest management is one of the main topics.

LEARNING CANOLA: Field days on May 24 and 25 will help introduce grrowers to the crop.

“With harvest season fast approaching, harvest management is critical for any crop, especially canola,” said Stamm. “We will talk about how to appropriately stage canola for swathing, desiccating and direct cutting at each location.”

The schedule for the field days includes:

 May 24 - First up is K-State’s South Central Kansas Experiment Field Spring Field Day on Tuesday, May 24. The program begins at 5 p.m. at the field headquarters, 10620 S. Dean Road, Hutchinson. Canola topics include harvest management, a seeding-rate-by-variety-by-row-spacing study and a variety demonstration plot. Ten commercial canola varieties from five seed suppliers will be on display.

May 25. On Wednesday, May 25, K-State Research and Extension will partner with Rubisco Seeds to highlight three canola producers in Kansas. “The producers we will visit are growing hybrid canola,” Stamm said. “We will be discussing advanced production practices and how those practices have helpedmake these canola growers successful.” Refreshments will be provided by Rubisco Seeds.

 The first stop will be at 10 a.m. south of Concordia. From the US-81 and Oat Road junction, drive 4.5 miles east to 200^th Road. This field was drilled on 7.5-inch row spacings following double-cropped wheat.

The second stop will be at 2 p.m. east of Hutchinson. From the intersection of US-50 and K61 highways, go 5 miles east on US-50. The field is located at the intersection of US-50 and Kent Road. A second canola field planted after corn and under irrigation will also be included on this stop.

The third stop will be at 5 p.m. in Sedgwick County. From Andale, drive 3 miles west on W. 61^st St. N. and 1 ¼ miles south on N. 295^th St. W. In this field, the previous crop residue was burned, then canola was seeded using a no-till planter on 30-inch rows.

For more information, contact Mike Stamm at 785-532-3871 or [email protected].

Source: Kansas State University News Service