How to Calculate Canola Seeding Rates

Why does seeding rate matter?

On average, about 50%-80% of canola plants survive through to harvest¹. The rest may suffer from drought, weed competition, fungus or other hazards you can expect in a normal growing season.

Does your current seeding rate account for that in-season loss? It’s important to aim for the ideal plant population. If there are too few plants, weed competition will increase and your crop may grow too many lateral branches. If you wind up with too many plants, yields may suffer from overcrowding and the risk of fungal infection will grow. In short, it pays to get it right. With the canola seeding rate calculator from DEKALB, your chances of achieving an ideal plant population increase significantly.

How DEKALB helps you achieve an ideal seeding rate

To compensate for that annual loss and achieve an ideal plant population, DEKALB® recommends a seeding rate of ten seeds per square foot.

DEKALB has long sold corn and soybean seed by seed count in the bag. Now we have adopted that system for canola³. By accurately measuring thousand seed weight (TSW), we can ensure that every bag of DEKALB canola contains no less than 4.25 million seeds. At an ideal seeding rate of ten seeds per square foot, one bag will cover ten acres.

How to calculate canola seeding rates for DEKALB seeds

Now that you’ve chosen DEKALB seed for your canola crop, it’s easy to judge the number of bags your planned acreage will require. Remember that every 45-pound bag of DEKALB canola seed is enough to cover ten acres, or a seeding rate of 4.5 pounds per acre.

Depending on seed size and weight – a function of the previous year’s seed production conditions – your bag of DEKALB seed will weigh between 29 and 50 pounds. The weight of that seed will be printed on the top of the seed bag.

Now that you know the TSW of that bag, you may need to recalibrate your seed drill to reflect the actual weight. If the TSW is consistent over many bags, you shouldn’t need to recalibrate using the simple canola seeding rate calculator from DEKALB. In any case, be sure to check your calibration and seeding accuracy throughout the season.

This guidance is based on an average canola survival rate of 60%. If your field has a track record of greater or lesser survivability, you can adjust your seeding rate accordingly.

Online seeding rate calculators and resources

Target Plant Population (TPP):

This page provides an overview of the Thousand Seed Weight model for canola and how it provides optimal Target Plant Populations.

Seeding Rate Charts (lbs/A):

Use this chart to look up seeding rates manually based on TSW and TPP, and a survivability range of 50-80%.

DEKALB Canola Recalibration Calculator:

Use this calculator to determine if you need to recalibrate your seed drill based on the TSW of the DEKALB hybrid you’ve chosen.

What’s in the bag, is on the bag

You can also calculate seeding rates based on the information printed right on the bag. The TSW and bag weight will be printed on the bag.

The formula is simple: regardless of TSW (Thousand Seed Weight), every bag of DEKALB canola will have no less than 4.25 million seeds per bag, enough to seed 10 acres. So, simply divide the total pounds of the bag by 10 to get your seeding rate.

Example:

• Bag weight of 45 lbs

• 45 lbs / 10 acres = 4.5 lbs/acre seeding rate

What about canola seeding depth?

That is a topic all to itself! Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with . In short: aim to seed at a consistent depth of one inch or check the specifications on the seeder you run a dedicated article on canola seeding depth. In short: aim to seed at a consistent depth of one inch or check the specifications on the seeder you run.

Take some of the stress out of seeding

Now that you understand the canola seeding rate calculator and the seed count in every bag of DEKALB canola seed, plus the ideal seeding depth, you’re set up to achieve an ideal seeding rate for maximum yield potential at minimal cost.

Choose the DEKALB hybrid that meets your needs, aim for an ideal plant population and you’re well on your way to a successful growing season.

References

1. https://www.canolacouncil.org/canola-encyclopedia/plant-establishment/seeding-rate/

2. https://www.canolacouncil.org/canola-encyclopedia/plant-establishment/time-of-seeding/

3. https://m.farms.com/ag-industry-news/bayer-introducing-new-packaging-for-dekalb-canola-328.aspx

4. https://www.canolacouncil.org/canola-encyclopedia/plant-establishment/equipment-management/