In
this issue (click the bookmark links below to
move to specific sections of this report):
Crop development |
Premature bolting |
Weed spraying
| Nitrogen and/or sulphur
deficiences | Flea
beetles | Grasshoppers
| Cabbage seedpod weevil
| Red turnip beetles
| Sclerotinia
| Frequent field scouting
The Alberta Canola Producers Commission (ACPC) has developed an Alberta focused version of this report. Visit the ACPC website at: http://www.canola.ab.ca
Crop
development continues to be delayed by one
to two weeks compared to normal across most of
the Prairies with the exception of southern Alberta.
Cooler than normal temperatures continue to be
a problem across much of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Warmer temperatures across much of Alberta in
the early part of last week improved crop development.
Crop development ranges from the rosette stage
for late seeded fields in Manitoba and southern
Saskatchewan up to full flower for early seeded
fields in southern Alberta and western Saskatchewan.
In general, soil moisture conditions improved
overall in western Canada compared to last week.
Much needed rainfall was received this past weekend
over most of the Peace, most of Alberta and western
Saskatchewan. However, areas of Alberta in the
north Peace between Manning and Fort Vermilion
remain dry, as well as a pocket in the extreme
south near Aden and Milk River.
For current maps of moisture conditions across
western Canada, check the following PFRA link:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/drprec7_e.htm
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 Agriculture,
Food & Rural Revitalization is available at:
http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/reports/crop_report/crprpt040705.asp
Additional moisture information for Alberta is
available from Alberta Environment at:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/WS/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf
Instances of premature bolting (small and spindly plants that are starting to bolt) continue to be reported from Manitoba and southern, eastern and northern Saskatchewan. The Manitoba instances are largely a result of both cool and overly wet conditions, but the northern Saskatchewan cases are likely caused primarily by cool conditions. There are many questions about how yield potential of these plants will be affected. For a detailed discussion on the impact of leaf area index on crop yield potential, refer to the following Word document link.
Weed spraying is nearing completion for most areas, except for some late seeded fields. Weed control has generally been rated as good to excellent, and there appears to be fewer reports of problems with herbicide activity this year compared to the past few seasons.
Reports
of nitrogen and/or sulphur deficiency symptoms
have been noted in parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
In some instances, the crop has appeared to have
outgrown the symptoms, indicating that the plant
root systems in the early growth stages may not
have been sufficient to extract the nitrogen and
sulphur that were moved into the deeper soil profiles
by the spring precipitation. However, if the crop
is at the rosette stage or beginning to bolt,
and still shows deficiency symptoms, consider
a post emergent broadcast nitrogen and/or sulphur
application. For further information on in-season
broadcast fertilizer application, refer to the
following paper from PPI-PPIC:
http://www.ppi-ppic.org/ppiweb/pcanadaw.nsf/926048f0196c9d4285256983005c64de/
53ec3deffd7a83c706256dfd007f756f/$FILE/MAC%202003%20-%20
Nutrient%20uptake%20of%20wht%20and%20canola.doc
Flea
beetle pressure has rapidly declined this
week with the advancing crop stages, but foliar
spraying continues to be reported in Saskatchewan
in later seeded fields. Keep scouting for flea
beetle activity in these later fields and use
a foliar insecticide only if damage exceeds threshold
levels. Refer to the May 5 report for further
information on flea beetles:
http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-may5.shtml
The grasshopper
hatch continues and populations are building in
parts of the BC Peace, in numerous areas of Saskatchewan
and in Manitoba near Treherne, Morris, Portage
la Prairie and the Interlake. Recent rainfall
has slowed the hatch and the growth of the grasshoppers.
Based on recent surveys, Dan Johnson from the
University of Lethbridge states that the grasshopper
risk is greatly reduced in many areas from earlier
forecasts and that only isolated areas remain
at high risk. Refer to Dan Johnson’s website
for further information:
http://people.uleth.ca/~dan.johnson/htm/update04.htm
Cabbage
seedpod weevils continue to be found in many
parts of southern and southcentral Alberta such
as Medicine Hat, Bow Island, Lethbridge, Balzac,
Beiseker, Acme, Drumheller and Three Hills. Weevil
populations in all areas are higher than last
year, and growers especially in areas north and
east of Calgary should be more diligent in scouting
for weevils this year. In previous years, weevils
were also found in southwestern Saskatchewan and
growers in this area should also be on the lookout
for weevils again this year. Begin scouting fields
at the bud stage with a sweep net to check for
levels of both cabbage seedpod weevil and lygus
bugs. The current threshold for cabbage seedpod
weevils is three to four per sweep at early flowering.
If insecticide spraying is warranted, make sure
that application occurs in the late evening to
reduce damage to bees and other beneficial insects.
Check the following links from AAFRD for more
background information on cabbage seedpod weevil:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex2538?opendocument
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/faq7100?opendocument
Red turnip beetles continued to be reported near Spalding in eastcentral Saskatchewan. Damage occurs when beetles move into a canola field from a neighbouring field sown to canola the previous year.
With the recent rainfall across much of Alberta and western Saskatchewan, the reported presence of
apothecia across much of Manitoba from the recent MAFRI Insect and Disease survey
(http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/diseases/fac07s00.html),
and much of the crop bolting and into flowering, consider the risk for sclerotinia infection. Sclerotinia infection in early seeded canola has
been reported in Alberta near Lethbridge. Many areas of Alberta and western Saskatchewan have the best moisture conditions in several years for
this part of the growing season. In areas of the prairies that have good to excessive soil moisture conditions and good crop growth, assess crops for
potential sclerotinia infection and possible fungicide application. Refer to the sclerotinia
checklist Word document from the new Canola Growers Manual.
If the risk of sclerotinia infection remains questionable after going through the checklist, consider splitting the fungicide applications to reduce the associated cost risk.
For the current list of recommended fungicides for sclerotinia control, refer to the 2006 Crop Protection Guide:
http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/Docs/crops/CropProtGuideAddendum2006.pdf
Due to slow crop development in many areas (caused by multiple factors including cold, wet and dry soils; frost; insects; diseases), be vigilant in the frequency and intensity of field scouting. Many of these fields have lower than average plant populations and these factors combine to make the need for timely agronomic decisions more important than ever. Ensure that the application of crop protection products is at the earlier threshold stages rather than the later threshold stages before applying the products. This helps to enhance product activity in most cases, reduce the stress on the crop from the pest, and maximize the crop yield potential.
Any questions regarding this overall report should
be directed to John Mayko, Agronomic Research
& Extension Manager with the Canola Council
of Canada at maykoj@canola-council.org
ph/fax: 780-764-2593.
For specific questions regarding regional issues associated with this report, please consult one of the following Canola Council of Canada regional agronomists or provincial oilseed specialists;
Derwyn Hammond, Agronomist,
Manitoba,
hammondd@canola-council.org,
204-729-9011
Rob Park, Manitoba Agriculture
& Food,
rpark@gov.mb.ca,
204-745-5665
David Vanthuyne, Agronomist,
Eastern Saskatchewan,
vanthuyd@canola-council.org,
306-782-7799
David Blais, Agronomist, Western
Saskatchewan,
blaisd@canola-council.org,
306-895-2122
Jim Bessel, Senior Agronomist,
Northeastern Saskatchewan,
besselj@canola-council.org,
306-373-6771
Bill Greuel, Saskatchewan Agriculture,
Food & Rural Revitalization,
wgreuel@agr.gov.sk.ca,
306-787-2756
Doug Moisey, Agronomist, Central
Alberta,
moiseyd@canola-council.org,
780-645-3624
Christine Mardell, Agronomist,
Peace River Region,
mardellc@canola-council.org,
780-518-1513
Nancy Muchka-Dahl, Agronomist,
Southern Alberta,
muchkan@canola-council.org,,
403-625-3406
Murray Hartman, Alberta Agriculture,
Food & Rural Development,
murray.hartman@gov.ab.ca,
403-782-8024
Kerry Clark, BC Ministry of
Agriculture, Food & Fisheries,
Kerry.Clark@gems9.gov.bc.ca,
250-787-3213
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; Manitoba Canola Growers Association; Agricore United; Cargill; Saskatchewan Wheat Pool; United Farmers of Alberta; Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization; Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association; Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission; Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development; Alberta Canola Producers Commission; BC Ministry of Agriculture; Food & Fisheries; and the Canola Council of Canada.