Last month Nuseed Product Development Manager, North America, Alison Pokrzywinski lead Nuseed Carinata growers through a 101 session to prepare for the 2022-23 contract production season between main crop harvest and planting. 

“It’s exciting to be introducing a new contract opportunity to local growers that both helps protect and regenerate their soil and generates additional farm income between main crops,” said Pokrzywinski. “We are connecting local growers with a new global contract market for low carbon oil feedstock and incentivizing the adoption of sustainable farming practices. Together we can make a positive impact on farm income and the environment.” 

Below are the Nuseed Carinata planting basics for this new harvested non-food cover crop grown for certified sustainable, low carbon renewable oil feedstock. The first U.S. planting of commercial Nuseed Carinata hybrid contract production is now underway. 

Planting date​ 

• Ideally 6 weeks before first frost​ 

• Will vary based on location​ 
• Nov 1st – Nov 15th is common​ 

Target 6-10 plants per square foot​ 

• Depending on row spacing, equipment, field conditions, etc seeding rate may range from 4-6 lbs/a​ 

• 4 lbs for precision planters ​ 
• 5 lbs is average standard for grain drills​ 
• 6 lbs for broadcast​ 

Good seed to soil contact is key to establishing a good even stand​ 

• 0.25-0.5” is optimal​ 
• Some seed laying on top of the ground is normal  ​ 
• Fields may be prepared with a drag attached to a cultivator frame or rolled to establish a level firm seedbed ​ 
• If broadcasted, light harrowing or cultivating is suggested​ 

Can be planted in all soil types, but does best in well-drained soils​ 

• Preferred pH is 5.5-6.8 ​ 
• 3-year rotation recommended ​ 

Avoid fields with high wild radish populations (>10%)​ 

• Very difficult to control in a carinata field and is competitive ​ 

Know your herbicide history ​ 

• Highly sensitive to Group 2 (ALS-inhibitors): Cadre, Pursuit, Strongarm, Staple, Classic, Permit, Accent, Harmony, Firstrate ​ 
• Moderately sensitive to Group 5,6,7 (photosystem II herbicide): Atrazine Simazine, Metributzin, Bentazon, Bromoxynil, Diuron, Cotoran ​ 

• Moderately sensitive to Group 14 (PPO Inhibitor): Valor, Ultra Blazer, Flexstar, Sharpen ​ 

Nuseed Carinata crop rotations​ 

• Corn-peanuts-cotton-soybeans​-sesame  
• Take into consideration harvest date and planned planting dates for following crop ​ 

• Fields available for a Nov 1st planting date ​ 

• Example: previous crop corn ​ 

• Fields planned for a later planting​ 

• Example: peanuts, cotton, soybeans​ 
• Most common watch-outs:​ Cadre carryover, sclerotinia