Seeding progressed significantly in most areas during the past week. In the central and eastern regions of Manitoba, canola seeding is virtually complete. Seeding in the southwest is 50-75% complete, and the northwest is 60-80% complete.
In northwest Saskatchewan, 80-100% of canola acres are seeded. A few areas in the east-central region, such Foam Lake and Rhein, are reporting only up to 20% of the canola seeded. Most other areas are reporting 40-70% complete.
Canola seeding in Alberta is up to 45-70% complete. Many areas in central Alberta, west of Highway 2, and the east Peace region around High Prairie, were just getting started this past weekend. Some areas, such as the Marwayne-Lloydminster and the north Peace, were nearing completion.
Canola seeding in the B.C. Peace also progressed well last week with 80% of the intended acres seeded to B. napus varieties. The remaining area may be seeded to either B. rapa varieties or barley.
Soil moisture conditions across western Canada remained at good to excellent for germination and early crop development over the past week. Some rainfall was received in central and eastern areas of Manitoba and eastern and southwestern Saskatchewan. Most other areas had limited precipitation with good seeding progress. Drier pockets remain in northwest Saskatchewan near Meadow Lake and Shellbrook and in the north Peace near High Level.
For current maps of moisture
conditions from PFRA 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/crprpt030519.pdf
Hard frost (-4
to –8&Mac251;C) was
noticed in many areas
of western Canada this
past week. Most damage
has been confined to early
seeded fields that were
already emerging. Damage
is particularly evident
in many areas of Manitoba
and northwest Saskatchewan.
Refer to last week’s
crop report for tips on
scouting and assessing
frost damage
http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-may14.shtml.
Remember, that a
proper assessment of frost
damage cannot be made
for several days--until
it can be determined whether
new growth is appearing
from damaged plants.
Weed growth has
been heavy for this time
of year due to favourable
moisture conditions, especially
winter annuals, narrow-leaved
hawksbeard, dandelion,
wild oats and volunteer
canola. A couple of relatively
uncommon weeds have been
noted in direct seeded
fields, wood whitlow grass
in areas of eastern and
southern Saskatchewan,
and pygmyflower in parts
of Alberta. For additional
information on these weeds,
visit the following links
from Syngenta and Westco:
http://www.syngenta.ca/en/guides/weed/index.asp?Nav=whitlow_grass
http://www.westcoag.com/Weed/pygmyflower.htm
The later seeding season in many areas of Alberta and Saskatchewan, coupled with frosts and wind, are pressuring growers with their pre-seed burn-off applications. In the event that a pre-seed burn-off is not feasible, then a post-seeding, pre-emergent burn-off may be considered. Growers need to ensure that they complete a post-seeding burn-off soon after seeding, before crop emergence occurs (except for Roundup Ready canola which can be sprayed with glyphosate any time before the six-leaf stage). If a burn-off was missed, growers need to ensure that they are able to spray these fields early with their in-crop herbicide applications to ensure that they minimize losses in crop yield potential to weed competition.
More flea beetles have been noticed in many areas of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. Tips for monitoring and assessing flea beetle damage of emerging crops was discussed in the May 7 crop report (http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-may7.shtml). Growers need to remember the difference in the mode of action of the new seed treatment insecticides compared to lindane. Lindane had activity both through ingestion and repellency. The new insecticides mode of action is primarily through ingestion, so the flea beetles need to take a bite of the plant before they die. Therefore, expect to see some flea beetle damage on the leaves.
Cutworms have again been noticed in areas of Manitoba. Crop emergence is general in many areas that had previous seeding progress. Therefore, be on the lookout for damage. Be especially vigilant in areas that had cutworm damage last year. Scout canola fields from mid-May to mid-June to determine whether bare areas with no seedlings have resulted from poor germination or cutworm damage. Check the edges of bare areas for cut-off plants. Wilted, dead or cut-off plants (weed or crop seedlings) will be seen. Dig around the roots of these plants for cutworms. To collect cutworm larvae, a garden trowel and a soil sifter are useful tools. Cutworms may be found down to about 5 cm (2") below the soil surface. The small, worm-like larvae curl up or attempt to hide in the debris. Pale western cutworm larvae are greenish or slate-grey with a brown head, and vary in length from 30 to 36 mm (1.2 to 1.4"). Mature red-backed cutworm larvae are dark grey with two broad, dull, brick red stripes along the back. They are about 38 mm (1.5") long. Cutworm control may only be necessary in small areas of the field, when bare patches appear and large numbers of cutworms are still actively feeding. Canola is much more susceptible to cutworm damage than cereals because no regeneration and tillering occurs to compensate for loss of plants. Use an insecticide when cutworms exceed three to four per m2 (yd2).
Growers who have experienced seeding delays need to reassess the maturity suitability of their chosen varieties. This issue was discussed in last week’s report. Alberta growers can check the following link to determine their frost-free days: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex10 Manitoba growers can check the following link to determine their frost-free days: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/climate/waa50s00.html#Maps
Growers need to ensure that seeding is shallow to facilitate rapid emergence. Shallow pre-seeding tillage will help maintain the seedbed firmness and moisture. As well, growers should apply recommended rates of phosphorus fertilizer for the faster pop-up effect in cooler areas and to assist in hastening crop maturity in the fall.
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 & 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.