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Every growing season is unique, and 2026 was no exception. After years of drought and dry conditions, this year was exceptionally wet. “Nonetheless, across the board, I think growers will be pleased with their yields,” says Tim Darragh, Canola Technical Strategy Lead for Bayer Crop Science.
The complications of a wet growing season
That doesn’t mean this past season was without its challenges. “Disease was a real issue in many parts of Western Canada,” he adds. “Sclerotinia and blackleg were widespread, and Eastern Saskatchewan and the Red River Valley also saw some verticillium stripe.” At harvest, canola growers who were able to apply a fungicide will really notice the difference versus untreated, he believes. For growers who had to postpone seeding because of wet weather, there may also be some concern about crop maturity, now that harvest is underway.
Of course, a wet growing season helped weeds thrive as well as the canola crop. Tim points out that wild oats and lamb’s quarters were exceptionally bad in Northern Saskatchewan. But all through the canola growing region, growers experienced herbicide timing challenges. “If those conditions affected your weed pressure at harvest, you may want to clean up those fields this fall,” he advises.
Looking ahead to 2027
With canola harvest in full swing, many growers will be thinking about next year’s crop from their combines. One solution to the challenge of weed pressure and crop maturity is the DEKALB® 400 series TruFlex® LibertyLink® canola hybrids. “These hybrids have the most flexibility to control your weed spectrum, regardless of how the season goes and what weeds keep you awake at night,” Tim says.
For example, DEKALB DK401TL has been gaining a lot of attention this year. It was selected as a new check in the WCC/RRC canola program for its performance, consistency, and trait package. Over the last three years, it beat InVigor® L340PC by 3.4% on average in Bayer Market Development trials*. That same hybrid is also featured in the Battle of the Bushels grower contest in Northern Saskatchewan.
The agronomic advantage of 400 series canola
Hybrids like DK401TL are building a reputation for exceptional yield, strong agronomic traits and the most flexible weed control system available with TruFlex® LibertyLink® canola.
Both DK401TL and (earlier-maturing) DK400TL provide advantages you’ll appreciate, no matter what the weather throws at you in 2027. Both hybrids feature Straight Cut Plus pod shatter protection along with clubroot and blackleg resistance. And like all DEKALB canola hybrids, they promote earlier maturation and quick natural plant drydown to help you harvest sooner without sacrificing yield.
“It’s all about providing flexibility for your canola crop,” Tim believes. “With an additional trait for pod shatter protection, you can choose the harvest management style that best suits your situation, come rain or shine.”
Weed management performance with TruFlex® LibertyLink®
Of course, you can’t expect top yields without top-notch weed control. With the TruFlex® LibertyLink® canola system, you can manage weeds from pre-seed to first flower, thanks to hybrids tolerant to both Roundup® and Liberty® herbicides – including exceptional control of kochia, wild oats, cleavers and waterhemp. With the TruFlex® LibertyLink® canola system, you can customize your weed management strategies depending on the weed spectrum, crop timing, and the weather. “Wet years like this are going to echo for three or four years in a typical rotation, so having good weed management solutions is going to be really important,” Tim believes.
Make your 2027 seed decision now and save
“With canola harvest underway, now’s the time to see how DEKALB hybrids are performing in your area,” he adds. “Check out our DEKALB trial results as they come in to help you find the best fit for next season.”
Now is also the best time to book your hybrids for next season. Book your DEKALB seed (canola, corn or soybeans) by October 30, 2026, and save up to $75 a bag on your canola with the DEKALB Harvest Rewards Offer.
*Source: 77 Bayer Market Development trials (2023-2025). Moisture adjusted, before dockage, non-replicated large-scale trials. Your results may vary according to agronomic, environmental and pest conditions.
Bayer is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Bayer's products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Bayer’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Commercialized products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from commercialized products can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all applicable regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for commercialized products. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. TruFlex® canola contains Roundup Ready® Technology. Roundup Ready® Technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate. LibertyLink® Technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glufosinate. Plants that are not tolerant to glyphosate may be damaged or killed if exposed to those herbicides. Plants that are not tolerant to glufosinate may be damaged or killed if exposed to those herbicides. Bayer, DEKALB®, Roundup Ready® and TruFlex® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. Used under license. LibertyLink® and LibertyLink logo® are registered trademarks of BASF. Used under license. InVigor® is a registered trademark of BASF, used under license by BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada Inc. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada. ©2026 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.