Canola agronomy topics for 2015 Question Title * 1. How would you rank the following topics from 1-12, with 1 being the most important. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 How to identify fertility shortcomings. What to look for? When to check, and how often? Tools to use in addition to soil test. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Choosing the right seeding rate. It may be worthwhile to use a higher rate for earlier seeded canola or higher risk fields, and lower rates for later seeded or low risk fields. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Sprayer tank clean out and crop damage that can result from unexpected herbicide residues. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Preventing and identifying herbicide resistant weeds. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Sclerotinia stem rot and the real cost and risk analysis of spraying versus not spraying. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Beneficial insects. What insects provide the most value, and what can be done to protect them while also protecting the crop? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Economic thresholds for insect management. This will include refinement, where necessary, of scouting techniques. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 How to assess data quality. Not all data is created equal, and it is important to separate good data from bad and to fairly interpret trial results. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 How to check for yield losses on combines. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Take time to get familiar with straight combining canola. What are the circumstance where it makes sense? How can growers lower the risk? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Residue management. What are the best ways to make sure crop residue is spread evenly and thinly in preparation for next year’s canola crop? And what is the ROI for that effort? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Variety rotation. Using different canola varieties within your overall crop rotation can improve weed control and reduce disease risk. Question Title * 2. Do you have further comments on any of the choices above, including key questions and comments you would have for the CCC agronomists? Question Title * 3. You've probably heard by now about the Canola Council of Canada strategic plan to reach an average yield of 52 bu./ac. by 2025 — which will allow us to meet global market demand for Canadian canola oil. What do you see as barriers preventing us from hitting this target?(These answers could become a future Canola Watch Top 10, and give us some direction when it comes to finding solutions.). Done