Baby your canola in the bin (August 29, 2005)

You can’t just dump canola in the bin and expect it to stay in great shape until you’re ready to sell. Canola Council of Canada agronomist David Vanthuyne says “you have to baby canola in the bin”!


Vanthuyne advises growers to condition canola to safe temperature and moisture levels and then regularly monitor the binned crop for signs of mould or heating.


Conditioning involves moving air through the seed to prevent spoilage that results from moisture migration and seed respiration. Vanthuyne says canola harvested much above 8% moisture must be conditioned, especially if grain temperatures are above 25º C.


He says the object is to cool the seed below 15º C and lower its moisture content to 8% moisture. “Aeration and/or turning the canola can be an effective way to avoid spoilage”, Vanthuyne says. But if moisture levels are above 10% to 12%, he recommends heated air drying.


Growers can’t drop their vigil once they’ve conditioned canola. Freshly harvested canola can maintain a high respiration rate for up to six weeks before becoming dormant. Vanthuyne explains that “this sweating stage is a very unstable condition for binned canola”.


The agronomist suggests growers monitor binned canola regularly because rapidly respiring seed produces heat and moisture, which favour storage mould growth. “Over time, the seed may become mouldy or heat damaged, and in severe cases it can ignite,” he adds.


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


http://www.canola-council.org/safestorage.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, 780-645-3624
Matthew Stanford, Southern Alberta, 403-758-6660


This media 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.