Crops and moisture conditions run the gamut

Crop development ranges from the 30-50% bloom stage for late seeded and reseeded crops to the pod stage for earlier seeded fields. Crops are most advanced through parts of central and eastern Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. However, many parts of west central Alberta and northeastern Saskatchewan are still a week to 10 days behind average and need heat to continue advancing.

Scattered and highly variable showers dropped a trace to over 100 mm of rain on canola crops. Moisture conditions range from excessive in Manitoba near Ste. Rose and parts of the Interlake to critically dry in the central and western areas of the Peace region. As well, areas of southwestern and central Manitoba, southern Saskatchewan between Regina and Weyburn, and east central Alberta near Brownfield and Alliance are also quite dry. Overall moisture conditions have deteriorated over the past week with more areas reporting a drop in soil moisture.

For current maps of moisture conditions from the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), check the following links: 

Since Sept. 1, 2007 - http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113406&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=cc6d51a3f6a57495c180bea0e2935960

Since April 1, 2008 - http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113407&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=63d9a4511b0db9f89d48290197848d7d

The latest crop report from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) is available at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113408&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=4ea4cd82e101262207f07b658eb0176c

The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture is available at:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=122473&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=af76ba5f19e1d51d80df4514fa97fac4

Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113410&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=295c4093055bd655a2272bb84564bb0d

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113411&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=32337bc9614435df51914f82854061c5

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Some areas seeing lots of lygus

Growers at a number of locations including parts of eastern Manitoba, south central Alberta near Torrington, Olds and Didsbury, east central Alberta near Vermilion and St. Paul, and the Peace region near McLennan are either contemplating spraying or are spraying for lygus bugs.

Adult lygus are pale green to reddish brown/black, with a "V" mark one third of the way down their backs.  Young nymphs are pale green and resemble aphids, but with five small black dots on their backs and no cornicles.  Lygus cause damage by feeding on leaves, stems, flowers and pods resulting in flower blasting and shrivelled seeds. The revised economic thresholds (using current crop and treatment costs) are about 4-15 lygus per 10 sweeps (or 0.4-1.5 per sweep) depending on crop stage, crop price and the cost of control. For each grower this threshold will be different. To effectively evaluate your lygus bug threshold, go to: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115753&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=bd1697c4ca55d1923275b122e945f329

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Diamondback moth larvae are back

Diamondback moth larvae are showing up in parts of central Manitoba, in Saskatchewan near Kerrobert, Neudorf, Glentworth and Ceylon, and in Alberta near Lacombe. Be on the lookout for diamondback as podding stage approaches because diamondback traps are not foolproof as an early warning tool. Thresholds for spraying are 20-30 per square foot at pod ripening. Given higher crop values this year using numbers at the lower end of the range is likely more appropriate, especially in areas where early leaf drop forces the larvae up to feed on pods, or if hot and dry conditions increase both insect activity and stress on the crop. For more information on diamondback moths refer to the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114557&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=7031a9c8e1ab9bd75fdb194c42060070

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Bertha numbers stabilizing

Bertha armyworm numbers have likely peaked. Trap counts at many locations across the west are lower than last week. There are a number of locations in Saskatchewan, including an area around Nipawin and several spots north and east of Regina, where the numbers are concerning. Control for bertha armyworm occurs at the larval stage, usually when the larvae begin feeding on pods. Spraying for moths will not provide effective control and will likely do more harm by destroying beneficial insects in the crop. For further information regarding bertha armyworm, go to the bertha armyworm section at the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114556&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=6dc922a6bc855c30e7bae1b69ba95529

Prairie-wide bertha armyworm moth maps are in development, and web links for the Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta are: 

MAFRI:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121112&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=774429bd10ac2d37e864b34074e7fd2b

SAFRR:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=122474&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=230def6567c436feb85d4d2db4c01e6b

AAFRD:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121114&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=8c23af2ce0141b540f117d4bef764792

Moth numbers represented in the above maps are cumulative. Trap counts are still being collected and added to the maps, so in areas still showing low risk, keep checking for updates because those numbers may still increase.

Remember these maps are an indication of risk in a region. Field scouting is still required to ensure economic damage does not occur in individual fields.

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Revised insect thresholds

Due to higher commodity prices, a committee of provincial entomologists has revised economic thresholds for several insects. A link outlining those revisions is available at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=117988&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=9d18f765536192338ded195fb1534ab6

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Blackleg

Blackleg symptoms have been noted in a number of fields in Manitoba near Carman, including varieties rated "R" for blackleg resistance, and in fields near Provost, AB that were previously hit by hail. Most of these fields are in short rotations. Newer strains of blackleg have infected canola crops in the past few years, and agronomists and growers should note which fields are exhibiting increased symptoms in order to lengthen rotations. Noting which varieties are most affected will also help determine if patterns are developing so that growers can work with seed suppliers in the future to choose the best sources of blackleg resistance possible.

For pictures of symptoms of blackleg (and other canola diseases) check out our image library: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121116&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=7866cbad55a99f5fdfa0c9c10a3bf5c5

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Hail damage provides opening for disease

Many areas of western Canada continue to see hail damage, usually associated with localized thunderstorms. In addition to physical injury, hail damage allows a point of entry for diseases such as sclerotinia stem rot, alternaria black spot and blackleg to infect canola plants. Monitor these fields closely, especially if you are considering straight combining those fields. Diseased plants do not make good candidates for straight combining so consider swathing.

For further discussion of mid-season hail damage, refer to the July 16 Canola Watch report at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121111&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=af37acd793fce90172de1b0f87afd177

More information on hail damage is available at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114554&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=d3c78c1a8a1c62aff05ea7a587e0f98e

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Persist with scouting

Scout fields on a regular basis to detect crop development problems early. Consider establishing a tramline by driving an ATV in an X or W pattern in the field to establish pathways for crop scouting. This will allow for easier scouting with minimal trampling at later crop stages.

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Malathion-free bins

At this time of the year, as growers prepare bins for storage of the upcoming harvest, keep in mind that oilseed crops like canola can absorb malathion from bin surfaces, and the resulting residues have been found in crop delivered to elevators. Therefore, DO NOT use malathion to treat bins destined to store canola from the upcoming harvest. Refer to the following link for further information: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=119452&q=81812156&lm=11426940&r=105068&qz=379f001ad0180f8be402356e3b9464b8

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Questions & Contacts

Direct questions regarding this report to John Mayko, Senior Agronomy Specialist with the Canola Council of Canada at maykoj@canolacouncil.org ph/fax: 780-764-2593.

Direct specific questions regarding regional issues to one of the following Canola Council of Canada regional agronomists or provincial oilseed specialists:

Derwyn Hammond, Agronomy Specialist, Manitoba, hammondd@canolacouncil.org,
204-729-9011
Ingrid Kristjanson, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Ingrid.Kristjanson@gov.mb.ca,
204-746-7504
David Vanthuyne, Agronomy Specialist, Eastern Saskatchewan, vanthuyned@canolacouncil.org,  
306-946-3588
Venkata Vakulabharanam, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Venkata.Vakulabharanam@gov.sk.ca  
306-787-2594
Doug Moisey, Agronomy Specialist, Parkland East (East Central AB & NW SK), moiseyd@canolacouncil.org,
780-645-3624
Matthew Stanford, Agronomy Specialist, Chinook (Southern AB & SW SK), stanfordm@canolacouncil.org,
403-327-4832
Erin Brock, Agronomy Specialist, Peace Region, brocke@canolacouncil.org,
780-568-3326
Murray Hartman, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, murray.hartman@gov.ab.ca,
403-782-8024
Kerry Clark, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Kerry.Clark@gov.bc.ca,
250-784-2559

The Canola Watch Report provides just-in-time information on canola production to growers and industry. Contributors to the Canola Agronomy Network are:

Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives; Manitoba Canola Growers Association; United Farmers of Alberta; Viterra; Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture; Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association; Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission; Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development; Alberta Canola Producers Commission; BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Canola Council of Canada