Rain – Some Still Needed, Some Not

Rainfall in Manitoba late last week and over the weekend brought much needed moisture to parts of the central and southwest regions. Rainfall amounts in these areas were ½ inch to 2 inches. Heaviest rainfall amounts were reported in the eastern part of the province with as much as 5 ½ inches reported near St. Joseph. Standing water is reported on fields in this area. Rainfall in Saskatchewan was variable (minimal to 4 inches at Medstead) but soil moisture is reported as adequate due to the rains received 10 days ago. However, in many areas rapid crop growth is using up the moisture quickly and more rainfall will be needed shortly. Storm systems in Alberta were showery and did not result in significant precipitation. Much of the province continues to be dry and needs rainfall soon. Very little rainfall in May or June has left parts of southern Alberta (Oyen, Hanna, Coronation, Consort) extremely dry. Some fields of canola have been removed and re-seeded to greenfeed in these areas. The southern Peace region of Alberta did not receive any precipitation and conditions are very dry. The BC Peace region received about ½ inch of rainfall but also continues to be dry. The Northern Peace region received 1 to 1 ½ inches and soil moisture is good.

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
Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at:
http://www.environment.alberta.ca/forecasting/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf

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Thin Stands Result in Variable Crop Staging

Canola staging continues to be quite variable within an area and even within a single field in some areas. Re-seeded and late seeded fields range from just emerging to the 2- to 3- leaf stage. Rainfall in areas that were extremely dry is resulting in a ‘second flush’ of germinating canola, resulting in staging from cotyledon to budding and bolting in the same field. Where soil moisture is limiting, pre-mature bud formation and bolting is occurring from small, unthrifty plants. Where soil moisture is not limiting, the return to more seasonable temperatures has helped advance canola development. Earliest seeded fields are at the bolting stage with some fields in early flower. Most areas still report overall crop development as later (about 1 to 3 weeks) than normal. Continued warm weather and a return to more average moisture are certainly needed to bring crop development up to normal.

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/crprpt090624
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
The following maps show growing degree days accumulating across western Canada this growing season: http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prtgdd_e.htm

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Hail and Frost

Mother Nature continued to challenge canola production last week. There were reports of hail in southwest Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan. Frost (-1 ⁰C) was reported in Alberta near Beaverlodge, Leduc and Ryley on Sunday night/Monday morning. Canola fields that are vegetative can recover better after a frost or light hail damage but maturity may be delayed. Canola plants that are reproductive may suffer some yield loss if the frost or hail was severe enough to damage buds and cause flower blast resulting in aborted pods. The missing pods will become evident later in the season but the canola may be able to respond with additional flower and pod production if weather conditions improve.

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Foliar Feeding has Merit?

There are reports of macronutrients and micronutrients being foliar applied to give struggling canola plants a boost and potentially hasten or even crop maturity. Canola Council of Canada agronomists are not aware of any scientific research to date here in western Canada that supports the economics of this practice. If growers do choose to try a foliar application, leave a checkstrip or two so an evaluation of the final yields can be made. Council agronomists would like to follow fields with this treatment to harvest and use yield measurements to determine if the application was economical. If you are interested in having a Council agronomist help in evaluation, please contact your local regional agronomy specialist listed at the end of this report.

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Canola Buds Present – Still Spray for Weeds?

Crop growth and development is variable within many fields in western Canada. Plus, thin plant stands are taking longer to cover the ground and weeds continue to compete in some fields. A common question being asked is can a field be sprayed after canola begins to bud? Each field should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• The first step is to scout. Scout the crop for signs of stress (e.g. moisture) and growth stage. Scout 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.aspx
• Stressed canola plants will begin reproductive growth earlier than normal (less vegetative biomass produced before initiating buds). Crop damage (flower blast) and yield loss can sometimes occur when herbicides are applied to a crop in bud or bolting stages. The potential for crop injury will vary depending on several factors including the product used, how it is applied (e.g. water volume, time of day) and the level of crop stress. However, weed pressure also causes yield loss. Scout the field thoroughly to determine average crop stage and to determine which stress is most limiting (weeds vs. compromised crop tolerance). Keep in mind that herbicide injury can also delay crop maturity, which is a definite concern this year.

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

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Cutworms Winding Down?

Reports of cutworms continue in parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta. Reports of cutworms are most common in fields that were cultivated last summer (summer fallow or pasture and hay land that was renovated) and had loose soil (usually with some green growth present, including weeds, that attracted the moths to lay their eggs near a food source for the larvae when they hatched, either in the fall for some species (e.g. dingy cutworm) or in the spring for other species (e.g. red-backed cutworm). Cutworms should be nearing the end of their larval stages. Scott Hartley, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, advises that foliar feeding cutworms (e.g. dingy cutworms) should be beginning to pupate and no longer be feeding. Foliar feeding cutworms are usually a threat until about the third week of June so even with the cool spring should be pupating by now. Pale western and red-backed cutworms feed beneath the soil surface (clip plant stems) and are usually a threat until the end of June but with the cool spring conditions may remain a threat for another week to 10 days. In some areas though, the larvae may be at an advanced stage of development and close to pupation. Younger larvae pose the greatest potential for damage as they still need to feed and grow, with the greatest consumption in the late instars when they are larger with greater appetites. However, larvae are near pupating when they are 30 - 35 mm long and when cut open their gullet lacks green material. If no food is found, chemical control will be less effective as this is another indication that feeding is slowing and they are nearing pupation. Although some control may be achieved when treated plant material is ingested, control of the cutworms is usually a result of their movement to the surface to feed where they come in contract with the insecticide applied to the soil surface.

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

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Cutworm Spraying – The End is Near?

In addition to the information on cutworms from the previous paragraph, the decision to spray cutworms should include the following:

• Applications need to be made using water volumes recommended by the manufacturer to ensure effective control is achieved. Higher water volumes are beneficial. This is especially important at this time of year when plant foliage will intercept insecticides being applied.
• 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.
• Cutworms appear in patches and often spraying can be limited to problem areas of the field rather than general spraying. 
• The list of products registered for control of cutworms in canola is limited compared to those for flea beetle control. Only apply products registered for cutworm control in canola (active ingredients chlorpyrifos and permethrin).
• Always read and follow product labels prior to application. For more information contact product manufacturers or local retailers.

The following link (starting at page 11) provides information on foliar insecticides registered for insect pests in canola:
http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=3eb86279-cec4-4718-b3a6-9b7e71736bf2

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Other Insect Pests Appearing

Cabbage seedpod weevil has been seen in canola fields throughout southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan as crops have started to bolt, with some fields in early flower. Reports are that populations are lower than last year with many fields below threshold at this time. The economic threshold for the weevil is 20 to 30 weevils in 10 sweeps, depending on crop price. For more information on the cabbage seedpod weevil, refer to the cabbage seedpod weevil section at the following link: http://www.canola-council.org/contents10b.aspx

All three provinces report increasing grasshopper populations although it appears as if few, if any, canola fields have been sprayed to date. Spraying in cereals has occurred in areas of the Peace region in Alberta and high populations warranting spraying were found in a canola field near St. Michael, AB. Grasshoppers may become a concern in canola adjacent to a field cut for hay as the insects migrate to continue feeding. Continue scouting for grasshoppers because if caught early perimeter spraying may be all that is needed.  A specific economic threshold for grasshoppers in canola has not been established as it is not a preferred host crop, but it is currently considered to be in the range of 7 to 14 per m2, depending on the crop value and cost for control. More information on grasshoppers is available at the following link: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex6463

Very few diamondback moth adults have been caught in monitoring traps throughout western Canada this year. However, there are reports of larvae in canola fields in Saskatchewan near Raymore, Swift Current and Val Marie. Populations observed so far are below the economic threshold of 100 to 150 larvae per m2 in immature and flowering fields or 200 to 300 larvae per m2 in flowering and podded fields. More information on diamondback moth is available at the following link: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=688b2f99-ad99-423d-900c-c01a1c45d8a1

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Sclerotinia – Assessing the Risk

Canola is approaching the flowering stage in many areas and now is the time to begin assessing risk for sclerotinia stem rot infection, especially in areas that have received ample moisture. Start by scouting for apothecia (small golf tee shaped mushrooms that produce the spores) in fields where susceptible crops, such as canola, pulses and sunflowers, were grown last year. Remember many factors affect the risk of infection including: heaviness of the crop canopy, amount of moisture received in the two weeks prior to flowering and potential for further rainfall, years since last host crop, disease incidence in the past, and presence of apothecia in neighboring fields. Thin stands which result in a light, open canopy may help lower risk in a number of locations this year. However, regular precipitation and high humidity at early flowering can still lead to significant disease development. The following link is a "Canola Disease Scouting and Risk Assessment Card" which can help with risk assessment: https://canola-council.merchantsecure.com/canola_resources/product11.aspx

This card will help determine if fungicide applications are warranted, particularly where yield potential is reduced by late maturity or low plant numbers. Next week’s Canola Watch will include more information to help with the decision to spray (e.g. staging flowering in a variable field, risk of infection with low plant population, option for split application, etc.).

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Crop School Season is Here

Up for a great learning experience? There are a number of crop training events organized across western Canada to challenge even the most seasoned agronomist. For more information or to register refer to the list at the following link: http://www.canola-council.org/grow_canola_whats_new.aspx

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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
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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