PAGE 8
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022
Canola proving to be a worthy contender in crop rotation By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus The Past is your Lesson; the Present is your Gift; the Future is your Motivation. Those choice words mostly direct my life these days (plus occasional nudging by my wife). But that’s why my one-day visit (Jan. 20) to the MN Ag Expo in Mankato, Minn. was such a gift. The Expo drew lots of folks, so lots of interview opportunities … such as Ed Walsh of Roseau, Minn. (11 miles from Canadian border). “We grow canola and rye grass,” Ed Walsh Walsh told me. Both crops are now generating good income. “Yes, both creating more interest too,” Walsh added. It was dry in Walsh’s part of the country in 2021. ”Very dry — we only got half a crop. It didn’t rain until after we finished harvesting. But we got a pretty good recharge in September; so it looks like we’ll be good to go this spring,” he said. I asked Walsh about the renewed interest in rye.
“Rye flourished — despite our droughty season,” he explained. “Blue grass seed is maybe a better income crop; but seed is getting expensive. Rye grass seed is cheaper. Most rye seed is grown in state of Washington … with producers getting $1 per pound — which is phenomenal with 800 to 1,000-pound yields.” Walsh also informed me rye is usually underseeded with wheat — though sometimes bare-footed into wheat stubble. “It’s drill-planted in six-inch rows. It’s a quick-growing crop with harvest in late July to early August. Usually, a growth regulator is applied so the rye crop doesn’t get too tall. It’s a thick, hard grass to cut so you need a good swatter to get it ready for combining.”
“Yes, I’ve raised canola for years,” Walsh continued. “Mine is a vegetable oil producing variety which I market through Bunge. It has a very high flash point which makes it excellent for food items. We get good yields — with proper fertilization 2,000 to 2,500 pounds per acre. However, west to Langdon, N.D. area there’s a ‘honey spot’ where 4,000-pound yields are common. They’d rather raise canola than soybeans!” Walsh looks to continue with canola and rye again in 2022; but also some oats. “I got a $5 contract, so oats got added to our agenda this spring too. I couldn’t ignore that opportunity.” v
SFA conference moves date to March 18 With safety and being able to meaningfully connect in person as top priorities, the Sustainable Farming Association has made the decision to move the date of its annual conference to March 18. The conference venue will remain the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph. For those already registered, your registration
transfers to the new date. Contact Jason Walker at jason@sfa-mn.org if you need to cancel your registration. A refund will be issued. SFA’s current Conference COVID policy will remain in effect. This article was submitted by the Sustainable Farming Association. v
Calendar of Events Visit www.TheLandOnline.com to view our complete calendar & enter your own events, or send an e-mail with your event’s details to editor@thelandonline.com.
Feb. 8 — Dairy Day: Profitable Dairy Practices — Orange City, Iowa — Program will explore methods of euthanasia, composting mortalities, farm personalities, transition cow nutrition, milk marketing and industry updates. Contact Fred Hall at fredhall@ iastate.edu or (712) 737-4230 Feb. 9 — Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops — Online — Cover crops - Termination timing and planting green: U of M sustainable cropping systems specialist Axel Garcia y Garcia and state soil health specialist Anna Cates will provide information based on up-to-date research to help optimize crop management strategies for 2022. Register at z.umn.edu/ strategic-farming. Feb. 9 — Industrial Hemp Forum — Online — Topics include updates on MDA’s hemp licensing requirements, new inspection requirements, and opportunities in fiber production. Register at www. mda.state.mn.us/hempforum2022 Feb. 9 — I-90 Soil Health Tour — Albert Lea, Minn. — Focus of workshop are soil health practices that benefit the soil, environment and crop yield. Contact Lindsey Zeitler at lindsey.zeitler@mn.nacdnet.net or (507) 320-3728. Feb. 10 — Alternative Land Access for Specialty Crop Growers — Online — Webinar format will
include a video interview with an LSP member farmer followed by a live Q&A session. There will also be an opportunity for peer-to-peer dialogue. Contact Nick Olson at nicko@landstewardshipproject.org Feb. 10 — Livestock Webinar: Chickens — Online — Farmers will discuss the production model they utilize, the pros and cons of that, as well as the processing and marketing opportunities and challenges. Contact Katie Feterl at info@sfa-mn.org Feb. 11 & 12 — Farm Couple Retreat — Thief River Falls, Minn. — Learn about creative communication skills, personality differences, and resources to help each couple reach their goals and attain better management of the stresses of farming and family relationships. Contact Leah M Bischof at leahbischof@gmail. com or (320) 429-0611. Feb. 12 — Gardening Knowledge for Free — St. Cloud, Minn. — Sessions include native orchids, growing flowers for pollinators, favorite sun perennials, seed starting, and culinary herbs. Contact Stearns County Extension Master Gardeners at z.umn.edu/GKFF or (320) 255-6169. Feb. 12 & 19 — Produce Safety Rule grower training — Online — Must attend both days to satisfy FDA requirements. Learn about produce safety, good agricultural practices and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Register at www.mnd.state.mn.us/fsmatraining. Contact the MDA at (651) 539-3648.
Feb. 14 — Small Grain Workshop — New Prague, Minn., Rochester, Minn. — Workshop will focus on production agronomics, variety selection and economics. Also includes an open forum discussion on related topics and on-farm experiences. Contact Shane Bugeja at (515) 708-3486. Feb. 15 & 16 — 2022 Minnesota Pork Congress — Mankato, Minn. — The state’s largest swine-specific trade show features exhibits, seminars and networking. Contact Lauren at lauren@mnpork.com. Feb. 16 — Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops — Online — Tar spot of corn - status and options: Plant pathologists Dean Malvick and Nathan Kleczewski will provide information based on up-to-date research to help optimize crop management strategies for 2022. Register at z.umn.edu/strategic-farming. Feb. 16 — Nitrogen Smart Program — Dassel, Minn. — Learn sources of nitrogen for crops; how nitrogen is lost from soil; how to manage nitrogen in drainage systems; Minnesota’s nitrogen fertilizer management plan; and practices to refine nitrogen management. Contact Adam Austing at aausting@ umn.edu or (763) 682-7381. Feb. 17 — Small Grain Workshop — Slayton, Minn. — Workshop will focus on production agronomics, variety selection and economics. Also includes an open forum discussion on related topics and on-farm experiences. Contact Melissa Runck at (507) 8366927.
