MANHATTAN, KANSAS, U.S. — Kansas farmers will have several opportunities to get a first-hand look at canola fields and research plots in Kansas during the Canola Field Tours scheduled for May.

“The winter canola crop has survived the winter in good condition and we want to give producers an opportunity to see the crop growing in the field,” said Mike Stamm, Kansas State University (KSU) Research and Extension canola breeder.

“These field tours allow canola producers and those interested in growing canola to view the crop at a time when yield potential is being determined,” Stamm said.

Times, locations and speakers for the tour, which is sponsored by KSU Research and Extension, include:

  • 10 a.m., May 2: Jimmy Vardy Farm, Anthony — View canola/wheat rotation blocks including four winter canola varieties tolerant to sulfonylurea herbicide soil residual.
  • 9 a.m., May 4: Dean Elvin Farm, Marquette — View 20 commercial winter canola cultivars and canola/wheat rotation blocks.
  • 2 p.m., May 23: KSU Southwest Research-Extension Center, Garden City — View the National Winter Canola Variety Trial and learn about today’s newest and top-performing varieties. Also learn about wheat varieties and diseases, cover crops and vertical tillage.
  • 1 p.m., May 24: Ed Schultz Farm, Arlington — Canola/wheat rotation blocks, including four winter canola varieties tolerant to sulfonylurea herbicide soil residual.
  • 2:30 p.m., May 24: KSU Redd Foundation Field, Partridge — View the National Winter Canola Variety Trial, KSU intermediate variety trials, and experimental KSU Roundup Ready winter canola cultivars.
  • 10 a.m., May 25: Sedgwick County wheat and canola plots, Clearwater — View 20 commercial canola cultivars, along with the Sedgwick County wheat tour. Wheat varieties and diseases will be discussed.
  • 10 a.m., May 26: Tim Tureck Farm, Wellington — Canola/wheat rotation blocks, including nine winter canola cultivars, along with the Sumner County wheat tour. Wheat varieties and diseases will also be discussed. Lunch will follow this tour.

Producers, county extension agents, agronomists, and those involved in agribusiness are welcome to attend and learn more about new canola cultivars, variety testing programs, and production practices, Stamm said.

“The KSU canola breeding program coordinates the testing of commercial and experimental cultivars across the state of Kansas. We are also very interested in better understanding wheat's performance following winter canola compared to continuous wheat,” he said.

More information and directions to the sites are available by contacting any local county extension office or Troy Lynn Eckart at 1.785.532.5776 or [email protected].