Determining Best Practices for Summer Storage of Canola

Priorities
Agronomic Practices 
Start Date
2016
End Date
2017
Principal Investigator
Joy Agnew - Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute
Co-Investigators
Jay Mak - Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute
MCGA Funding
$25,000
Total Project Funding
$60,000
External Funding Partners
SaskCanola, Alberta Canola
Report

Research Objective

  • Determine best storage practice for canola with higher moisture content (9%) with three different approaches
    • turning canola seed in bin 1
    • aerating canola seed in bin 2
    • not handling canola seed in bin 3
  • Regularly monitor temperature in different parts of the bin and temperature stability

Project Description

The storage of canola seeds after harvest is extremely crucial because without temperature stability and an optimal temperature in the bin, moisture content can rise and yield loss occur. The purpose of this study was to determine if a higher moisture content in the canola (9% as compared to 6% in a similar study) would make a difference in the method to keep seeds dry. The three different storage treatments were conducted in separate bins and were to 1)  turn the seed, 2) aerate the seed, and 3) leave the seed completely alone. Temperature was recorded in all parts of the bin and monitored regularly to see any patterns. Overall, leaving the canola seed alone in the bin and not handling it resulted in the most stable conditions as discovered with canola that was 6% moisture in a previous study. The reason is that when the seed is being turned or aerated, condensation can be introduced that will increase moisture content. It is important to regularly  check your seed while it is being stored in the summer.

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