Canola

Pod Ceal DC is a product applied by air or ground to canola once the majority of the pods have lost their intense green color. At this time, although yellow, the pod is still pliable and may be bent without splitting open to release the seed. Pod Ceal DC creates an elastic membrane which keeps rain and dew from the pod, and lets internal moisture out. This results in controlling shatter before combining.


Value of Pod Ceal™ DC

  • Maximum development of the crop and seed with minimal shatter
  • Improves harvest management; using Pod Ceal DC to avoid cutting too early or too late
  • Better management of time and fuel during harvest
  • Maximizes yield by getting larger, blacker seed
  • Improved quality of seed with less green seed
  • Higher oil content; oil is the last thing to develop in the seed

Average yield comparisons across Western Canada with growers who used Pod Ceal DC for direct combining in comparison to conventional swathing Pod Ceal DC direct cut out-yielded conventional swath by a minimum of 2 bu/ac on average.


Steps to Success with Pod Ceal™ DC and Direct Cutting or Delayed Swathing:

  • Understand it is part of a harvest management system for direct cutting or delayed swathing.
  • Understand how to determine the best application timing. Use the flex test.
  • Ensure you get good coverage and use the right water volume for success.
  • Distribute 5 US gal/ac by air or 20 US gal/ac by ground.
  • Understand how to use a desiccant with Pod Ceal DC. A desiccant helps with dry down of the canola and controls weeds.
  • Monitor your fields very closely and test samples for moisture when field is approaching harvest time.
  • If swathing late, do it when moisture conditions are favorable to minimize shattering potential.
  • Make the decision of late swathing versus straight cutting as the crop ripens.
  • Once the direct cutting decision is made, make harvesting the field the top priority when it’s ready to go. Start at 10% moisture.
  • Know how to determine and have a method to test the right harvest timing of 8%-10% moisture.
  • Be prepared with the right harvest equipment for efficient harvesting.
  • Select varieties that are suited to straight cutting.

Producer Survey Summary

Direct cut with Pod Ceal DC out yielded conventional swath by 3 bu/ac on average.

Oil Content at six independently managed trial sites showed a 2.5% advantage in oil for
Pod Ceal DC and direct cut over swathing.