In this issue (click the bookmark
links below to move to specific sections of this
report):
Soil moisture conditions
| Crop Development
| Frost | Weed
growth | Flea
beetles | Cutworms
| Grasshoppers
| Cabbage seedpod weevil
| Red turnip beetles
| Blackleg & wirestem
| Nutrient deficiencies
| 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
Soil moisture conditions remain favourable for early season crop growth across the majority of western Canada. However, many parts of Manitoba and southern and southeastern Saskatchewan remain excessively wet, whereas areas of Alberta near Endiang, Camrose and west of Grande Prairie to Dawson Creek are dry and need more moisture soon. As well, timely rains will still be needed across many areas of Saskatchewan and central and northern Alberta, including the B.C. Peace, to maintain crop yield potential.
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/crprpt040621.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 by one to two weeks compared to normal across most of the Prairies with the exception of southern Alberta. Cooler than normal temperatures were a problem across much of Manitoba and Saskatchewan this past week. In southern Alberta, some early seeded crops are approaching the 20-30% bloom stage. Crop development varies from the two-leaf stage for late seeded fields up to the six-leaf and bolting stages for early seeded fields. The wet field conditions in parts of Manitoba are causing small and spindly plants that are starting to bolt. It is unlikely that these plants will be able to completely recover.
Frost continues to be reported in scattered locations across northwestern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and southern and central Alberta. Growers need to allow enough time for crop recovery before applying any herbicides, which may compromise herbicide efficacy and/or crop safety.
Weed growth remains vigorous in many areas this past week due to the improved soil moisture. Spraying progress has advanced in most areas, but continues to be delayed by winds, showers and potential frosts. The wet conditions in many areas are favouring weeds like cleavers, chickweed and wild millet. Control of these weeds is often better at early growth stages. 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 the June 9 report:
http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-jun9.shtml
Flea beetle pressure increased across most areas of Manitoba where some foliar spraying has occurred (even with high-rate insecticide seed treatments). This has been compounded by slow crop development due to cool temperatures and excessively wet soils. 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
Cutworms
continue to be noticed in areas of westcentral
Saskatchewan including areas near North Battleford,
and in the Peace region near Lacrete and Dinsdale.
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. Some spraying for
grasshoppers on canola has occurred in southern
Alberta near Claresholm. Recent rainfall has slowed
the hatch and the growth of the grasshoppers.
Based on recent surveys, Dan Johnson from the
University of Lethbridge revised the grasshopper
forecast maps on the following Website:
http://people.uleth.ca/~dan.johnson/htm/update04.htm
Cabbage
seedpod weevils continue to be reported near
Barnwell and Coaldale 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
Red turnip beetles were reported in central Alberta near Eckville and Wetaskiwin. Damage occurs when beetles move into a canola field from a neighbouring field sown to canola the previous year.
Early
blackleg and wirestem have been
reported in fields near Carman in eastcentral
Manitoba. The wet conditions in many areas have
weakened the plants and predisposed them to disease
infection. Early blackleg infections will have
a greater impact on potential crop yields than
later infections. Refer to the following link
from MAFRI for more information on these reports:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/news/insect/miu.html
Continue to be on the lookout for possible crop nutrient deficiencies while conducting crop scouting. 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 plant 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 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 enhance the activity of the products
in most cases, reduce the stress on the crop from
the pest, and maximize the yield potential of
the crop.
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.