While I do not have a specific crop rotation planned eight years in advance, in general we follow a cereal with a broadleaf crop, such as, wheat-canola-wheat-peas. This has been a profitable rotation for us. I avoid seeding the same crop two years in a row. In 1997 we had a field of wheat on wheat which yielded 15 bu/acre below our average due to fusarium, tan spot and wheat midge. Every year is different, however, and some years there may be minimal yield loss.

We have had good results planting canola on pea stubble. The canola takes advantage of the residual nitrogen. The main disease concern is sclerotina, which can be controlled with fungicides. In my experience that has not been necessary on our farm. Following

this canola crop I would likely grow two cereal crops in a row, such as oats, then wheat. We prefer to grow canola and peas one year out of four, unless economics really encourage a shorter rotation.

Rotation of course is essential to successful 0-till production. Disease can be controlled or at least reduced to manageable levels. Mixing high and low residue crops improved residue management and seedbed conditions. Herbicide rotation is maximized to delay resistance problems. Some weeds may be slightly confused by varying seeding dates, year to year on the same field, rotating herbicides, and growing healthy, competitive crops. Crop diversity lowers economic risk. Rotation helps us maintain purity in our pedigreed seed crops.

In the past we have grown a wide range of cereal and broadleaf crops, including winter crops and alfalfa for forage. In recent years we have grown peas instead of alfalfa for the legume benefit. In 1998 we plan to try a few acres of grasseed production. We are interested in the possibility of seeding winter wheat into the stubble of the upright pea variety Majoret. This is an early variety. We feel by swathing we can lock in the green color, harvest earlier and still spray Roundup before planting winter wheat. In the past we have had very few years when our canola was harvested in time to even consider winter wheat. Elimination of subsidies has led to increased livestock numbers so I believe forages will also return to our rotation.

While the future is hard to predict, I believe rotations will be with us for a long time to come.