26/02/2026
🌾 Top tips for effective canola establishment 🌾
Early season rainfall means canola planting may be on the cards soon. Check out these top tips from CSIRO Senior Research Scientist Dr Andrew Fletcher, who's leading a nationwide team to confirm the best tactics to improve establishment:
1️⃣ Plant shallow
Sow canola 1–2 cm deep. Deep sowing reduces emergence.
2️⃣ Soil temperature
Aim to sow when the top 2 cm of soil is cooler than 40°C to improve germination
3️⃣ Consider soil moisture
Dry sowing can work, but overly variable soil moisture increases risk.
4️⃣ Adjust press wheel pressure
Reduce pressure or remove press wheels in sandy soils to prevent compaction.
5️⃣ Use larger seeds
Use seeds larger than 1.8 mm
6️⃣ Apply fertiliser away from seeds
Keep seed and fertiliser granule away from each other. Fertilise deeper.
7️⃣ Retain stubble
Check out the decision matrix below for more 👇 or visit https://grdc.com.au/grdc-investments/investments/investment?code=CSP2212-005RTX
