Soil moisture conditions
across much of western
Canada remain good to
excellent for germination
and early crop development.
However, dry surface soil
conditions are occurring
in parts of northwestern
Manitoba; northern and
northwest Saskatchewan
near North Battleford
and Cutknife; and parts
of Alberta near Beiseker-Three
Hills, east of Wainwright;
and the north Peace near
High Level. As well, most
of Saskatchewan has had
below normal precipitation
for May. Rain will be
needed soon in these areas
to maintain crop yield
potential. For current
PFRA maps of moisture
conditions, check the
following links:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/drprec4_e.htm
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/drprecw_e.htm
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prgrowing_e.htm
Additional moisture information
for Alberta is available
from Alberta Environment
at:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/WS/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf
The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization is available at: http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/reports/crop_report/crprpt030609.pdf
Poor canola emergence continues to be reported at scattered locations. Most incidents appear to be caused by one or a combination of several factors including deep seeding, uneven seeding depth caused by broadcast seeding or seeding at too high a ground speed, seedling disease, cool soils, soil crusting and cutworms. Many growers are disappointed with the performance of their early seeded fields due to the cool weather experienced since seeding.
Weed spraying has been quite general over most regions this past week especially early applications of glyphosate and Liberty. Spraying delays due to high winds have been reported in parts of Manitoba and southern Alberta.
Some reports of nutrient deficiencies, especially sulphur, have been reported in areas of northern and northeastern Saskatchewan. Further comments regarding plant tissue testing and post emergent fertilizer application were discussed in last week’s report.
Flea beetles have continued to be a problem this past week, although the bulk of their damage appears to be over throughout most areas. Most crops are beginning to outgrow the flea beetle damage. A general comment throughout most areas is that many growers are disappointed with the level of flea beetle control delivered by the new generation seed treatments. Much of these comments stem from the fact that the mode of action of the new seed treatments are different than with the older lindane based treatments, as well as the fact that flea beetle pressure is much higher across western Canada than usual. Here are some comments from two seed treatment company representatives on the performance of their products:
Syngenta- Helix
"The main issue
we are facing is that
the new canola seed treatments
are not "repellents"
like the lindane based
products. Hence, the beetle
has to take a bite of
the plant to ingest the
insecticide and then die.
Under cases of heavy flea
beetle pressure, in some
instances, the beetles
are overwhelming the plant
and defoliating it while
they themselves are dying.
Every year provides new challenges for products and 2003 is no exception. Helix and Helix Xtra are performing very well in many areas of western Canada. All products, including Helix and Helix Xtra have limitations. Performance challenges, presented as extreme flea beetle pressure, frost, other insects, seeding issues and more have all contributed to some of the performance inquiries we are currently encountering. Examples we have seen to date:
"The first 10 to 21 days after emergence are critical and once the crop is established, under good growing conditions, canola will have the energy and reserves to grow through the stresses. Here are a few situations you may encounter and some guidelines to help you out:
Flea beetle pressure is low to moderate, damage is minimal and the crop is expected to quickly grow out of the situation. Grower education is the action required. Bear in mind 25% damage to the leaf is considered economic threshold for a foliar insecticide application.
Flea beetle pressures are high to extreme, a foliar insecticide spray of the headlands will quickly remedy the situation till the crop grows beyond early cotyledon and emergence stage.
In extreme cases of flea beetle pressure a, corner to corner, foliar insecticide treatment may be the best remedy for the crop to get ahead of the pressures. This will likely be a judgment call from a Syngenta person or a trusted retailer agronomist, as these situations will vary from field to field and crop to crop."
Randy Retzlaff (Technical Field Manager- Syngenta)
Gustafson- Gaucho
"We have experienced
heavy flea beetle pressure
this season with the worst
appearing to be in the
Peace region. Much of
the early seeded canola
was exposed to 7 to 10
days of cold and in some
cases snowy weather that
delayed canola growth,
caused soil crusting and
uneven emergence. I have
received many calls regarding
seed treated with the
new generation seed treatments,
where heavy feeding has
occurred. Many of these
growers planted the canola
and didn't look at the
field until they caught
wind that pressures were
heavy, at which time the
damage to the canola was
already done. The new
generation seed treatments
need to be taken in by
the pest in order to be
effective and may need
to be sprayed when under
heavy pressure. These
treatments do not act
as a repellent like lindane.
From what I have observed
this season, in most cases
the seed treatment is
doing what can be expected
for flea beetle control.
The message we need to
get out is that feeding
will appear and if pressure
is extreme, be ready to
spray. Some hot spots
are Fairview, LaGlace,
Manning and the Vegreville
area."
Ian Strom (Sales
Representative Northern
Alberta, Gustafson)
Grasshoppers continue
to be a problem in Manitoba
near Gilbert Plains and
Melita, throughout many
areas of Saskatchewan
and parts of eastern and
southern Alberta. The
latest grasshopper forecast
map for western Canada
from Dan Johnson is located
at:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/prm10642
Growers must continue to be vigilant in monitoring in areas of moderate and high risk.
Cutworms continue to be a problem throughout the areas reported in previous crop reports. Damage is more severe in areas that experienced cutworms last year. As well, in parts of Manitoba near Portage, cutworm damage appears to be heavier on edible bean stubble. More information on cutworms is available on the following MAF page: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/insects/fad06s00.html
First generation beet webworm moths have been observed in many areas of western Saskatchewan and Alberta, with high numbers reported in central Alberta near Olds. When the eggs from the moths hatch, the larvae will be a problem if observed in large numbers. Beet webworms overwinter either as pupae or larvae within cocoons. The moths are about 25 mm (1") long and pale brown and are often seen flying during the day in swarms. They lay tiny white eggs in rows on the undersides of leaves of preferred plants such as lamb's-quarters.
Scout for the first generation larvae in late June and July, and the second-generation larvae at the late podding stage. The 25 to 32 mm (1 to 1.3") larvae or caterpillars are slender and active, and dark green in the early instar stages, becoming black as they mature. They have two white or cream-collared stripes on either side of the centre line of the back, plus two rows of paired circular figures down either side of the back. The larvae spin silk which appears as webbing at the tops of plants.
The larvae start feeding on the leaves of canola and then move to the stems and pods, stripping surface tissue and giving the crop a whitish appearance--usually in localized areas within the field. Damage often results from invasion by a migrating army of beet webworms that has developed elsewhere. Such an invasion can almost completely destroy the crop. Light infestations may cause reduced yields from pod peeling, which leads to incomplete formation and filling of pods. An economic threshold for beet webworm has not been firmly established, but it is thought to be similar to that of the bertha armyworm. Beet webworms are readily controlled with registered foliar insecticide sprays.
High numbers of diamondback moths are being reported in areas of western Saskatchewan and south/central Alberta. It is currently speculated that many of these moths have overwintered since the trajectories of winds (that blow them here) from southern U.S. and Mexico have been unfavourable. Damage from this insect occurs primarily when the larvae feed on developing pods. Results from the diamondback moth trapping program will be reported in future Canola Crop Watch Reports.
Insect pressure
in canola is a concern
in many areas of western
Canada this year. The
dry conditions and relatively
mild winter throughout
much of the prairies has
been ideal for many types
of insects. When considering
foliar insecticide applications
for specific pests it
is important that growers
utilize economic thresholds
whenever they are available
and not give in to ‘revenge’
spraying. This not only
helps ensure that the
application will provide
an economic benefit, but
also helps reduce any
negative impacts on beneficial
insects that may also
be present in the crop.
Check the following provincial
crop protection guides
for registered products
or contact company representatives
in your area:
Manitoba and Saskatchewan
- Guide to Crop Protection
Alberta - Crop Protection
"Blue Book"
Direct overall questions
regarding this report
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 & Southern
Alberta, moiseyd@canola-council.org,
403-553-2829
Christine Mardell, Agronomist,
Peace River Region, mardellc@canola-council.org,
780-518-1513
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 Crop 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, James Richardson International, 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.