Last spring-----As I watch our spring canola grow, the question that keeps nagging at me is 'is the standing stubble interfering with the growth of the canola (and other crops). Most of the winter wheat stubble is laid flat, but there are areas where our drill leaves some stubble standing. I have observed that spring wheat growing up through winter wheat stubble appears to grow taller in the early stages and tillers less. When I mentioned this to Dwayne Beck his comment was "yes, and that's fine. I don't want tillering of spring cereals". Crop maturity is extended 7-10 days for each tiller. One or two tillers may add to the yield, but, more will likely degrade your crop. They take moisture and nutrients from the main stem if there is a shortage of either or the summer heat forces maturity.
This fall-----It appears that tall tangled residue does hinder canola branch development. Canola plants in very tall stubble with some of the stems lodged was observed with less branching and fewer and mispositioned leaves. Normal harvest height using a sickle bar appears to have little impact.
