Still Battling Mother Nature

Excess moisture continues to impede seeding in parts of the northern Interlake Region of Manitoba where it is estimated that only about 25% of the crop is planted. Some seeding and re-seeding also continues in parts of the northwest, central and eastern regions. In the Red River Valley, it is now estimated that as little as approximately 1 to 2% of acres may remain too wet to seed, but crop development is generally quite delayed with late seeding and frost setbacks.

In eastern Saskatchewan, soil moisture is adequate and canola development was accelerated recently with the arrival of seasonal temperatures (high 20’s to low 30’s). Canola is in the 2- to 4-leaf stage. Much needed rainfall (about 25 mm) fell in the extreme southwest (south of Highway 1 between Maple Creek and Swift Current) but apart from this area, western Saskatchewan continues to be dry. Soil moisture is rated as inadequate in approximately 60 to 80% of west Central and northwestern Saskatchewan. Emergence in these areas is patchy and the dry conditions are starting to dictate how producers are managing their crops.

In Alberta, the rain stayed west of Highway 2 between Lethbridge and Olds and so central and northeastern regions continue to be extremely dry. Some areas have had very little rainfall (less than 25 mm) since May 1. Some producers comment that the last significant rainfall came in June 2008. Many seeded fields continue to have seeds stranded in dry soil. Across the rest of the province, where moisture was adequate for germination, canola ranges from cotyledon to 6-leaf stage (with 2- to 4-leaf stage being the average). Very little precipitation has been received in the southern Peace and BC Peace Region recently and soil moisture is quickly becoming inadequate. Rainfall was received in the northern Peace and canola is at the 4-leaf stage.

The latest crop report from Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives is available at: http://web2.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/mwcr/index.php

The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is available at:
http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/crprpt090608

The latest crop report from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is available at:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd4191#2009

Maps of current moisture conditions in western Canada from PFRA are available at:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpay09_e.htm
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpgs09_e.htm

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Crop Still Playing Catch-Up

Environmental stresses continue to be the dominant and common threat to canola production in western Canada this week. Canola seeding is not yet finished in parts of Manitoba and some re-seeding due to frost has occurred in all provinces. Multiple frosts have affected crop staging with a range of plant growth from cotyledon to 4-leaf in the same field. It is estimated in all Regions that canola growth and development is delayed by 10 days to 2 weeks.

In Manitoba, Growing Degree Days (GDD) to date range between 50 to 60% of normal (http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/climate/wad00s00/cropwxrep.pdf).

The following maps show growing degree days (majority 60 to 85% of normal) thus far across western Canada: http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prtgdd_e.htm

The following link has more information on how temperature effects canola growth: http://www.canolacouncil.org/chapter5.aspx.

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Reports of Polish Canola

There are reports of producers seeding Polish (Brassica rapa) canola varieties in Manitoba and Alberta. Keep in mind that herbicide options are limited and full spectrum weed control can be fairly costly with these varieties. Select fields carefully (e.g. not too weedy or not with a broad spectrum of hard-to-control weeds). Recognize too that yield potential of late-seeded Polish canola is lower, and therefore, inputs should be managed accordingly.

Remember that only registered Polish varieties should be grown to ensure we remain Canola Export Ready. The following links have more information to help with variety selection:
http://www.canola-council.org/export_ready.aspx
http://www.canola-council.org/variety_link1.aspx

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Assessing the Level of Frost Damage

Frost was reported last Wednesday (June 10) in Alberta (Ponoka) and over the weekend (June 13) in Manitoba (The Pas). Many variables will affect a crop’s ability to withstand frost (duration of the frost, crop staging, crop residue, low lying areas, crop vigor, etc) so the only way to assess the extent of frost damage is to get out and scout. Symptoms of frost will often be noticed within hours, but plant survival cannot be confirmed for several days. Plant material will be wilted and discolored (whitening, yellowing). More severe damage will cause necrosis (browning or blackening) of cotyledons and leaves. Light frosts are often not lethal to the growing point (top, centre of the stem). This is where all new growth is initiated so if it is still green then the plant can re-grow from this point.

To evaluate a field, walk an X or W path across the field and note all plants that will survive in a 1/4 m² (3 ft²) area every 20 paces. This should be 50 to 100 samples. Record an observation from each sample. Calculate the percentage of the field that has adequate plant recovery. The frost may thin the stand only, especially in low lying areas. As a guide, a reasonable plant population early in the season is three to four plants/ft². However, one to two plants/ft² across the majority of a field can be adequate if managed carefully with today’s herbicide tolerant systems. Thin stands such as these can yield up to 90% of a normal stand seeded at an early date but will be later in maturity. Crops re-seeded late in the season typically yield less than earlier seeded that had thin stands. For example, one case study by the Canola Council of Canada showed a 7.4 bushel/acre advantage when a crop was not re-seeded after a frost. It likely will be better to leave a thinner stand (provided it is reasonably uniform) than take the risk of late re-seeding because maturity/early fall frost becomes a concern.

The following link has some great photos for helping to assess frost damage in canola:

https://canola-council.merchantsecure.com/canola_resources/product37.aspx

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Before Writing off the Crop

Before making re-seed decisions consider the following:

• Take a close look. Get down, way down, at ground level and look for signs of recovery. A plant with a green, intact growing point can still continue to grow. A magnifying glass will help zero-in on the tiny plant parts.
• Scratch around and scrape back crop residue or the top layers of soil to check for canola yet to emerge. In the drier areas, there may still be seeds that have not germinated or emerged waiting for rain to fill in the gaps.
• Scout fields thoroughly to determine the portion of a field that is affected.  Perhaps only low-lying areas have been damaged. Or maybe the small percentage of the field affected enough to benefit significantly from re-seeding, does not warrant re-planting the entire field.
• If possible, take a second look. Unless it is obvious that a crop is blackened and will not recover, wait three or four days and check again to see if plants have begun to show signs of recovery. Marking plants (with a wire flag or wire ring) will help follow the recovery of the same plants more closely.
• Consult your local crop insurance agency for their policies to understand the implications of leaving a stand or deciding to re-seed.

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Crop Recovering From Frost

Crop recovery from the frost 10 days ago was reasonably good across western Canada, especially with the warm temperatures late last week and over the weekend. Some re-seeding was reported in Saskatchewan and Alberta but locations and acres were variable. Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation reports 500 re-seed claims were processed on canola due to frost. Where fields were not re-seeded, plant stands have been thinned significantly (down to two to four plants per ft² in some areas) in all regions of the prairies. These thin stands are going to require intense management to maximize yield potential of the remaining plants.

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Thin Stands Need to Be Watched Closely

No doubt that this spring has been especially challenging for canola establishment. Cool and dry conditions in many areas resulted in less than ideal emergence. Late-frosts have now thinned stands in many areas where emergence was adequate. Canola fields with low plant densities are more vulnerable to losses from insects, weed competition and environmental stresses such as fall frosts. Crops with low plant densities need to be managed more intensely. More frequent and intensive scouting for pests (insects and weeds) is critical because any losses are more likely to reduce yield. Action thresholds for pest control may need to be adjusted downward because the crop’s tolerance for damage is lower and for any insect populations the feeding will be focused on fewer plants. Consider establishing a tramline by driving an ATV in an X or W pattern in the field to establish pathways for crop scouting.

More information on managing poor stands is available at:
https://canola-council.merchantsecure.com/canola_resources/product32.aspx

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Flea Beetles – Stem Feeding Noticed

Flea beetle spraying was reported in many locations across the Prairies. Stem feeding was also noticed in a number of areas. Stem feeding is not a concern if small pitting is occurring. However, if significant stem feeding is occurring (impeding flow of water and nutrients in the stem or stems being clipped off), then a foliar insecticide may be required. Canola is most susceptible to flea beetle damage during the cotyledon to 2-leaf stage. Flea beetle pressure is a significant threat this year for a number of reasons. 1) Seed treatment protection may be tapering off in some of the earliest seeded fields. 2) Thin stands are resulting in a higher concentration of beetles relative to the plant stand. 3) Frost and poor growing conditions have resulted in slightly damaged, slow growing plants that are more susceptible to flea beetle feeding.

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Flea Beetles – Be Vigilant with Thin Stands

It is crucial that fields are scouted thoroughly and often. A heavy infestation on a stressed or thin stand can do significant damage in 24 to 72 hours. Be prepared in case additional control measures are required. The economic threshold for flea beetle control is when 25% or more of the cotyledons are damaged. However, if frost has already damaged some of the leaf material or thinned the stand, the action threshold may need to be adjusted. Evidence of feeding does not automatically mean spraying is warranted. Unwarranted spraying can cause harm to beneficial insects and can also contribute to the development of insecticide resistance. With current seed treatments, flea beetles must feed on leaf material and ingest the insecticide for control so some leaf pitting is normal. Flea beetles make their way into canola crops from the edges of fields. By catching a problem with flea beetles early, producers can often spray the perimeter of their fields and stop the infestation before it becomes widespread.

The following link provides more information on flea beetles:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/insects/fad09s00.html

The following links provide information on foliar insecticide flea beetle control in canola:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/insects/fad52s00.html
http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=3eb86279-cec4-4718-b3a6-9b7e71736bf2
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/faq8031

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Tank Mixes – Herbicides and Insecticides

There are questions about the ability to tank mix insecticides with herbicides when spraying canola.  The following link to the pesticide tank mix chart of the Guide to Crop Protection may help:

http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/cropproduction/pdf/gcp2009/pesticidetankmixchart.pdf. For more information on tank mix compatibility, contact local retailers or product manufacturers. Always read and follow product labels prior to application.

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Still More Cutworms Appearing

Reports of cutworms (in high populations  (up to 15 larvae per m2 ) and with significant crop damage) continued this week, particularly around Edmonton, in southwest and central Manitoba, and east of Saskatoon near Warman (lighter soil ridge along South Saskatchewan River). Cutworm damage often appears as bare patches showing up across the field. Plants in these areas will be wilted or dead and have been chewed off below the soil surface. Cutworm species reported so far this year have been Bronzed and Dingy species. Cutworms reported this week were identified as the red-backed species. Generally red-backed and pale western cutworms are of economic importance in canola. These two types over-winter in the egg stage. It appears that egg hatching and larvae development were delayed with the cool spring conditions since they are appearing later in the season.

Use a garden trowel and soil sifter to collect cutworm larvae. Cutworms may be found in dry surface soil down to about two inches. If scouting in moist soil, you are likely looking too deep. The small, worm-like larvae curl up or attempt to hide in debris. Cutworm control may only be necessary in a limited area of the field. An insecticide is warranted when cutworms exceed three to four larvae per m2 and are actively feeding. Surface treatments should be applied in the evening, with as high a water volume as feasible preferably under warm, moist conditions, because cutworms are active at night and these treatments will only control surface-feeding larvae.  Numerous beneficial insects, including both predatory ground beetles and parasitic wasps and flies are often effective in suppressing cutworm populations below damaging levels. Therefore, unnecessary use of insecticides should be avoided.

More information on cutworms is available at:
https://canola-council.merchantsecure.com/canola_resources/product22.aspx

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Weeds – When is the Best Time to Spray?

Uneven, thin canola stands are common across the prairies this year. Generally canola is emerging to 4-leaf and many producers are wondering when is the best time to spray? And how many times will the fields need to be sprayed?
These questions are difficult to answer and each field should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Keep in mind a few important points:

• The first step is to scout. Scout the crop for signs of recovery from frost and the weeds to determine what weed species are present and at what stage.
• Weeds that emerge ahead of or at the same time as the canola crop will cause the most yield loss.
  The following link provides information on time of weed removal: https://canola-council.merchantsecure.com/canola_resources/product36.asp
• Generally it is best to wait for recovery before spraying crops under stress. However, crop tolerance is less of a concern if weed pressure is high (and impacting yield).  Evaluate the field to determine what is causing the greater stress.
• Stressed canola plants will begin reproductive growth earlier than normal (less vegetative biomass produced before initiating buds). Waiting to spray may result in missing the application window if pre-mature bud initiation and bolting occurs. Spraying at these stages can significantly reduce yield and delay crop maturity which is a definite concern this year.
• Some growers are noticing that the grassy weeds are present and need to be controlled, whereas broadleaf weeds are slower to emerge. While research has shown that sequential applications are rarely economical, in this situation, it may be practical to split apply herbicides (apply graminicide earlier and wait to apply a broadleaf until more weeds have emerged). This is especially true in drier areas where those early weeds are competing for precious moisture.
• If herbicide dollars are limited, spray early with the first application and re-assess the need for a second application later. Remember that some weeds (e.g. wild buckwheat) get more expensive and much tougher to control as they get bigger.

The following link has more information on weed control in canola: http://www.canola-council.org/contents10a.aspx.

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Spraying Tips

Water quality is the key to achieving proper performance of many herbicides, particularly with glyphosate and many grassy weed products. The following links provide more information on spray water quality:
http://www.monsanto.ca/_pdfs/eblast/gk_19nov08.pdf
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex7573
Custom applicators (and growers in general) should double check to ensure the right product is being applied to the right field. Ensure legal land descriptions and field directions are 100% accurate to eliminate misapplication errors. Follow label directions for proper product rates and application techniques. Although good weed control has occasionally been reported in the past using reduced product and/or water volume rates, remember that the performance will be affected by factors such as growth stage and environmental conditions. Unless the product is applied according to label directions, the applicator will have little recourse in the event of poor weed control or crop damage.
Place a 4 ft X 6 ft tarp on the ground prior to spraying or simply shut off booms for a few yards to create a weed check. This will allow for performance comparisons. This is especially important since GPS technology has all but eliminated unintentional checkstrips!

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Be a Good Neighbor

Spray drift can be costly (liability-wise) but also gives agriculture a negative image. Pay attention to boom height, nozzle selection, water volume, pressure, wind speed and direction, etc. Calibrate your sprayer before spray season begins. Information on sprayer calibration is available at the following link: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/88-129.htm. Be a good neighbor and make certain the product applied hits the target and the target only. The following link has more information on managing spray drift: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/weeds/a657w.htm

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Recruiting Disease Survey Participants

Faye Dokken, Provincial Specialist – Plant Diseases with Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is looking for cooperators to participate in a canola disease survey this summer. Representatives from the Ministry would like permission to enter canola fields and collect a soil sample (for clubroot screening). While at the field, representatives will also take note of other canola diseases that may be present. Interested producers can contact Faye at (306) 787-4671 or Faye.Dokken@gov.sk.ca.

In Manitoba a similar disease survey is also planned, so interested co-operators in that province can contact Anastasia Kubinec (Oilseed Business Development Specialist, MAFRI) at 204-745-5645 or Anastasia.Kubinec@gov.mb.ca or Dr. Debra McLaren (Scientist, Crop Production Pathology, AAFC) at 204-578-3561 or dmclaren@agr.gc.ca.

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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, 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, Senior Agronomy Specialist Manitoba, hammondd@canolacouncil.org, 204-729-9011
Anastasia Kubinec, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, anastasia.kubinec@gov.mb.ca, 204-745-5645

Jim Bessel, Senior Agronomy Specialist, Central Saskatchewan, besselj@canolacouncil.org, 306-373-6771

Tiffany Gutzke, Agronomy Specialist, Eastern Saskatchewan, gutzket@canolacouncil.org, 306-231-3663
Venkata Vakulabharanam, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Venkata.Vakulabharanam@gov.sk.ca, (306)787-4668
Doug Moisey, Senior Agronomy Specialist, East Central Alberta and Northwestern Saskatchewan, moiseyd@canolacouncil.org, 780-645-9205
Matthew Stanford, Agronomy Specialist, Southern Alberta and Southwestern Saskatchewan, stanfordm@canolacouncil.org, 403-345-4852
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:

Alberta Canola Producers Commission; Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Manitoba Canola Growers Association, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Peace River Agriculture Development Fund, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture & Lands, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Canola Council of Canada.

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