"If growers want to avoid bins full of spoiled canola this fall, they need to condition the canola to safe temperature and moisture levels and then regularly monitor the binned crop for signs of moulding and/or heating," says David Vanthuyne, Canola Council of Canada agronomist for Eastern Saskatchewan.

If harvested much above 8% moisture, canola must be conditioned. Conditioning is the movement of air through the seed to prevent spoilage that results from moisture migration and seed respiration.

Various conditioning systems can be used including aeration and heated air drying. The object is to cool the seed and/or lower its moisture content. For safe storage, canola seed should be cooled to below 15º C and be at 8%. Aeration and/or "turning" the canola can be an effective way to avoid spoilage. "But if moisture levels are about 10% to 12%, consider heated air drying," advises Vanthuyne. Freshly harvested canola can maintain a high respiration rate for up to six weeks before becoming dormant. "This process is often referred to as "sweating" and is a very unstable condition for binned canola. Monitor binned canola regularly because rapidly respiring seed produces heat and moisture, which favour storage mould growth. Eventually the seed may become mouldy or heat damaged, and in severe cases it can ignite," he adds. "Growers spend the entire year nurturing their canola. Why take the risk of not getting the crop to market in the best shape possible? Conditioning and monitoring binned canola temperature and moisture levels, and taking swift action to keep the grain cool and dry if heating is detected is vital to maximizing your canola profits," says Vanthuyne

For more information on safe storage of canola, visit these Web pages:

http://www.canola-council.org/production/icp/cropproduction/store/store.aspx
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/crop1301
http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/crops/oilseeds/graindrying1.asp
 
For more information in your area, contact:

John Mayko, Agronomic Research & Extension Manager, 780-764-2593 Derwyn Hammond, Manitoba, 204-729-9011 Jim Bessel, North Central & North Eastern Saskatchewan, 306-373-6771 David Vanthuyne, Eastern Saskatchewan, 306-782-7799 David Blais - Western Saskatchewan, 306-895-2122 Christine Mardell, Peace, 780-518-1513 Doug Moisey, Central Alberta, 403-553-2829 Nancy Muchka-Dahl, Southern Alberta, 403-625-0510

This press release is part of the Canola Council's Canola Advantage program. The program is supported regionally by: Alberta Canola Producers Commission; Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission; Manitoba Canola Growers Association; Canola Council of Canada; Peace River Agriculture Development Fund; and B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.