The panicle of annual canarygrass resists shattering and so allow the crop to fully mature before harvest. Straight combining is the preferred harvest method but swathing just prior to combining is also effective. Dehulling the seed is undesirable, and may result in dockage, and so a cylinder speed of 500 to 750 rpm is recommended. The dust from canarygrass is irritating, especially on hot days, and dust masks may be required. Yield potential of canarygrass at four locations in Minnesota is provided in Table 3.
Yields tend to decline at southern Minnesota locations and with hot weather conditions.
In Minnesota, several markets exist in the northwestern part of the state and in Minneapolis. Inc. Grand Forks, ND also contract or purchase annual canarygrass seed. Several area and local markets exist in other states, but should be identified before planting the crop. Chemical Composition and Potential Uses of Annual Canarygrass. 1978. Annual Canarygrass-A Potential Food Crop.