Canola Council

Canola Watch

2004 Canola Watch Reports

Canola Watch Report No. 8
Western Canada – June 16, 2004

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

In what appears to play like a broken record, canola seeding continues to be delayed by rain across most areas of Manitoba and southeastern and southcentral Saskatchewan. This week provides the last window of seeding prior to crop insurance deadlines in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Some of the remaining fields may be seeded to cereals for green feed depending on the demand for forage.
Seeding is finished across the rest of the Prairies.

Reassess the maturity suitability of chosen canola varieties if still planning to seed canola. Further discussion of this subject was covered in the May 26 report (http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-may26.shtml). If the variety does not meet maturity requirements, ask the local retailer to suggest other suitable varieties Check the following link to determine frost-free days in Manitoba: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/climate/waa50s00.html

Soil moisture conditions continued to improve across most parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan this past week. Many areas received between 0.3 to 3.5" of rain. Most areas have decent surface moisture for germination and early crop development. However, timely rains will still be needed across many areas of central and northern Alberta, including the B.C. Peace, due to limited subsurface moisture. More rain in central and eastern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan prolonged already wet conditions. Many of the very wet fields are being broadcast seeded by plane or floater and may not have any incorporation by harrows or cultivators. A discussion about the effects of excess soil moisture on canola growth was covered in the June 2 report:
http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-jun2.shtml

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/crprpt040614.asp
Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/WS/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf

Early crop development continues to be delayed across most of the Prairies with the exception of southern Alberta due to cooler than normal temperatures this past week. In southern Alberta, some early seeded crops are beginning to flower. Crop development varies from the cotyledon stage for late seeded fields up to five- to six-leaf and bolting stages for early seeded fields. The delayed crop development continues to fuel concerns regarding the window of protection that can be expected from seed treatments following canola emergence. As adverse weather delays crop development, it puts greater stress on plants, especially when faced with multiple pressures such as insects, disease and frost. Scout fields frequently following emergence for any signs of damage so that rescue treatments can be applied where required.

Hail was reported in areas of southern and central Alberta near Wrentham, Beiseker and Trochu. Several fields in northcentral Alberta near Derwent, as well as some in southern Alberta, had the cotyledons burnt off completely by frost two to three weeks ago. Most of these fields recovered to the two-leaf stage in seven to ten days following the frost. Growers need to allow enough time to see if the crop will recover after major stresses, which include frost, flooding and hail. Refer to the May 26 report for more information on how to make reseeding decisions:
http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-may26.shtml

Weed growth has become strong and vigorous in many areas this past week due to the improved soil moisture. Spraying has been delayed across much of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and central Alberta due to last week’s rainfall. Spraying progress has ranged from just getting started in the eastern Prairies to complete in many areas of southern Alberta. Wild oats, volunteer cereals, other grassy weeds and cleavers were reported in most areas. Growers are reminded to do a proper assessment of emerging weeds and ensure that spraying is timely to avoid yield losses due to weed pressure.

A list of weed control and spraying tips were discussed in last week’s report:
http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-jun9.shtml

The rainfall across much of Saskatchewan and Alberta this past week reduced flea beetle feeding pressure. However, beetle-feeding pressure increased across most areas of Manitoba where some foliar spraying is occurring (even with high rate insecticide seed treatments). Slow crop development due to cool temperatures, wet soils and heavy flea beetle numbers, have contributed to the heavy beetle feeding pressure. Frequently scout fields for flea beetles, especially if temperatures increase.

Refer to the May 5 report for further information on flea beetles:
http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-may5.shtml

Refer to the following link for more information on stem feeding by flea beetles: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/news/insect/miu03_05_27.html

Cutworms continue to be noticed in Alberta near Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Bon Accord and Eckville; in isolated areas of western Saskatchewan; and in Manitoba near Swan River. Refer to the May 12 report for more background information on monitoring and controlling cutworms:
http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-may12.shtml

The grasshopper hatch continues and populations are building in many areas. However, recent rainfall has slowed the hatch and the growth of the grasshoppers. Dan Johnson from the University of Lethbridge has recently revised the grasshopper forecast maps based on recent surveys and the information is posted on the following website:
http://people.uleth.ca/~dan.johnson/htm/update04.htm

Cabbage seedpod weevils have been reported at levels of four per sweep in an early flowering field near Barnwell in southern Alberta. 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 weevil is three to four per sweep at early flowering. 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

While conducting crop scouting, be on the lookout for possible crop nutrient deficiencies. Many areas had lower fertilizer application rates due to carryover from last year's drought and the high cost of fertilizers this spring. As well, the heavy rainfall in Manitoba and eastern and southern Saskatchewan may have led to denitrification or leaching of soil nitrogen (N) or sulphur (S). Be prepared to conduct crop tissue testing at the appropriate stage and remember that topdressing N and S fertilizer is possible up to the bolting stage--as long as rainfall occurs to move the fertilizer into the root zone. This helps alleviate any deficiencies and/or ensures optimum yields if sub-optimal fertilizer rates were applied prior to and/or at seeding, or if losses occurred due to wet and saturated soils.

Due to slow crop development in many areas (caused by multiple factors including cold, wet and dry soils; frost; flea beetles; cutworms; wireworms and seedling diseases), be vigilant in the frequency and intensity of field scouting. Many of these fields have lower than average plant populations and these factors all combine to make the need for timely agronomic decisions more important than ever. Remember that the application of many herbicides also can cause a delay in crop progress as the crop metabolizes the herbicide. 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 both enhance the activity of the products in most cases and reduce the stress on the crop from the pest. As a result, the yield potential of the crop may be maximized.

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,
m ardellc@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.

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Canola Council

Canola Watch

2004 Canola Watch Reports

Canola Watch Report No. 8Western Canada – June 16, 2004

Canola Watch Report No. 8
Western Canada – June 16, 2004