Building a better MB Crop Rotation - University of Manitoba

Building a better MB Crop Rotation

Peter J Entz

Outline

• What is a better rotation?

• What is the reality?

• Factors that influence cropping decisions

• Role of agronomists

What is a better crop rotation?

Being less predictable– Grow a wider range of

crops– Include perennial crops– Use differing crop

residue loads– Use a wider range of

herbicide groups

Seeded AreaCereals

02468

1012141618

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010(F)

OatsBarleyWheatTotal Cereal

Stats Can

Oilseeds/Pulses

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 (F)

CanolaPeasLentilFlaxTotal

Stats Can

Seeded AreaCereals vs Oilseed/Pulses

02468

1012141618

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010(F)

Total O/PTotal Cereal

Stats Can

% acres by crop – 2009MB vs SK

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

sp wheatw wheatdurumoatsbarleycanolapeas flax

soybeanLentils

ManitobaSaskatchewan

Stat Can – October 2009

Highlights

• MB – 81% Wht/Can• SK – 63% Wht/Can• AB – 68% Wht/Can

Acres by MASC, 2008

CanolaWheatOatBarley

Risk Area 8

Acres by MASC, 2008

CanolaWheatOatBarleySoybeanFlaxCornSunflowerDry BeanPea

Risk Area 12

Crop Rotation redefined

Factors Influencing crop rotation

• Economics• Operational

– Crop Prices– Input Prices– Grain movement expectations – Available markets (Fababeans, Hemp, Flax)– Cash flow management

• Capital– New/Modified equipment– Drying ability– Additional storage– Livestock


• Pests• Weeds

– Weed resistance– Hard to control weeds– Herbicide rotation– Herbicide residues

Gr 2 resistant kockia in CL canola – Lethbridge, AB 2008


• Pests• Diseases are the #1 “fear”

– New strains of blackleg (PG3, PG4, PGT)– Fusarium Wilt– Clubroot– Sclerotinia– Fusarium Head Blight– Tanspot/Septoria– Ascochyta

Clubroot


• Land– What is the land best suited to grow?– Are there physical limitations such as:

– Rocks– Imperfect drainage– Lack of water holding capacity

– Regulations– What “shape” is your land in basis last years crop?– Trash management– Moisture management


• Human– How far can I stretch my expertise?– Can I dedicate enough time for 6 crops, 4

crops?– Do I need to keep things a bit more “basic”?– What is my risk profile?– Longer term sustainability plans for my land?– Peer pressure, what is everyone else doing?

Role of Agronomists

• Support growers production• Anticipate production constraints they may expect

» Chickpeas experience in S SK• Variety selection/certified seed• Use of seed treatment• Field scouting• Lining up the best product and ensure you can get it• Leave untreated check strips if possible• Follow through and review – what were the

mistakes

Role of Agronomists

• Educate growers• Determine “what the real reasons are” for selecting a crop to

grow on a field. 35 factors were identified for influencing crop rotations – which one is it?

• Be prepared to challenge a customer/clients thinking• Arm yourself with the facts – but be realistic• Can you balance short term versus long term decisions• What small changes can be made that wouldn’t fundamentally

change the operation» Livestock» Purchase planter


• Economics• Operational

– Crop Prices– Input Prices– Grain movement expectations – Available markets (Fababeans, Hemp, Flax)– Cash flow management

• Capital– New/Modified equipment– Drying ability– Additional storage– Livestock

Economics

• Run through a cost of production calculator• Ensures you capture all the costs• Allows you to talk about, what if’s

– 2nd or 3rd fungicide application• Allows you to critically compare on crop decision

with the next• Can expand the discussion

– Future market values– Production contracts– Storage requirements

Role of Agronomists

• Educate growers• Determine “what the real reasons are” for selecting a crop to

grow on a field. 35 factors were identified for influencing crop rotations – which one is it?

• Be prepared to challenge a customer/clients thinking• Arm yourself with the facts – but be realistic• Can you balance short term versus long term decisions• What small changes can be made that wouldn’t fundamentally

change the operation» Livestock» Purchase planter

Being in the market

• Having a number of different products in the bin, enable you to capture market rallies

The “Silver Bullet”

• I may get in trouble, but someone will come up with a “Silver Bullet” solution

Remember who’s going to build a better crop rotation?

Building a better MB Crop Rotation - University of Manitoba

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