Crop development in most areas has continued to advance rapidly due to continued hot and dry conditions. Swathing is virtually complete across Manitoba and most of Saskatchewan with just late seeded fields remaining to be swathed. Swathing progress in the western Prairies ranges from 20-80% complete with the southern and eastern areas of Alberta farthest advanced, but just beginning in western areas (west of Hwy. 2 corridor) of Alberta and the north BC Peace region. Combining is virtually complete in many areas of Manitoba, except the northwest, which ranges up to 40% complete. Combining progress across Saskatchewan ranges from almost complete in some southern areas to 25% complete in northern areas around Meadow Lake. In Alberta, combining is least advanced with up to 80% complete in dryland areas of the south, but the west central areas of Alberta and the BC Peace remain to be combined. Initial yield reports vary widely due to the range of moisture, weather and insect pressure experienced.
There were reports of wind blown swaths in areas of northwest Manitoba and eastern and northern areas of Saskatchewan. Many of the worst affected fields were swathed at right angles to prevailing winds. Growers with fields remaining to be swathed are highly encouraged to swath their fields parallel to the prevailing winds to reduce the risk of wind blown swaths and resulting crop loss from shelling.
There were many reports of elevated green seed levels (up to 10%) in many areas of Saskatchewan. Many of these elevated levels are the result of the hot, dry and windy weather when the crops were swathed, which resulted in the crops drying down too quickly and not curing properly. Under average weather conditions, canola can typically be ready to combine in 10 days to two weeks after swathing. This time period is normally required for the seed to properly cure and clear green seed. Under the hot, dry and windy conditions experienced in many areas, the crop may dry down much faster than normal. However, the chlorophyll in the seed may not have had a chance to clear adequately. Under these conditions, consider leaving the crop in the swaths for a longer period of time to allow the chlorophyll to clear properly.
As the season advances, temperatures begin to drop, which brings the potential risk of fall frost. If frost conditions are likely in the near term, consider swathing early (as early as 10% seed colour change ) to allow plants to dry down somewhat and reduce the risk of frost causing green seed problems. Otherwise, if weather conditions remain hot and dry, delay swathing to ensure that the bulk of the crop has reached at least 30% seed colour change (SCC). This may help reduce potential yield and quality losses in these situations. Swath during the cool evening hours, at night, or early in the morning to allow the seed to dry down at a slower rate and further reduce the risk of both green seed and shattering. The optimum time is when the average seed moisture content is 30-40% or the whole plant has reached about 35% SCC. To learn more about proper field assessment, refer to the Canola Council publication "Time of Swathing Guide" or visit the following link on our Web site.
Keep in mind that seed colour change is very different from pod colour change. During recent hot weather, many fields experienced sun scalding or pod bleaching that may cause the crop to appear mature. Insect damage and varietal differences will also contribute to the ripening appearance of canola fields. It is important not to be fooled by the colour of the straw and/or pods. Pods that appear ripe and ready to swath may still have green and translucent seeds. Conversely, pods that do not appear ripe may contain mature seeds that have changed colour. Walk fields and examine seeds within pods to properly assess crop maturity.
Insects continue to be a problem in many areas. Grasshoppers continue to damage crops as they move from ripe cereal crops into green canola fields, although the risk is lessened as the crop matures and is cut. High flea beetle numbers continue to be found throughout much of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and southern and eastern Alberta.
Blackleg has been noticed in some fields in central and eastern Manitoba and east central Alberta near Vermilion that were planted to varieties rated as resistant (R) or moderately resistant (MR) to blackleg. Growers finding these blackleg infected plants are asked to send samples of the infected plants to Dr. Dilantha Fernando at the University of Manitoba. To submit a sample, cut the stem 2" (5 cm) on either side of the lesion, put the cutting in a paper bag (not a plastic bag) and mail it to: Dilantha Fernando, Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2. For more information, call him at 204-474-6072 or e-mail fernando@ms.umanitoba.ca. University researchers are studying the blackleg races present to determine whether any have overcome the resistance in current varieties.
As well, fusarium wilt has been noticed in areas of east central Alberta, especially on varieties known to be susceptible to this disease.
For fields that are either currently being swathed or have been swathed very recently, post-swathing scouting can be very useful, particularly if plants have developed poorly or ripened prematurely. It’s an opportune time to add valuable information to the farm records that may influence some decision making in the upcoming season. Be on the lookout for weeds, insects and disease incidence. Current weed identification can help plan for weed control next spring. This is also a critical time for insect pressure and may give an indication of future pressures. For example, high flea beetle numbers this fall may indicate similar pressures next spring. As a result, consider seed treatments with extended flea beetle control. Scouting for disease is also very important during this time. Proper identification and assessment of disease incidence may be valuable information for next year’s crop when assessing potential risk. For more information on some of the diseases that may be observed following swathing, see the following links:
Sclerotinia
Blackleg
Graystem
Brown girdling root
rot
Clubroot
Fusarium wilt: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/prm2446?opendocument
For those growers combining canola during warm temperatures, canola storage can also be a concern. This can be compounded by the presence of insects such as grasshoppers and ladybugs in the grain. Be aware that canola binned at high temperatures may be susceptible to heating and spoilage even though it may test dry, particularly if it contains green material such as weed seeds or chaff or insects. Use aeration to bring down the temperature of the binned canola. For more information on safe storage conditions, check the following link.
This report brings to an end the series of weekly canola crop watch reports for the season. We hope you have found these reports informative, interesting and useful. We plan to distribute an evaluation survey via email later this fall to gain feedback on this year’s reports and to assist in plans for improvement for next year. We encourage you to watch for this survey. Please take a few moments to complete and return the survey. We value your input!
Direct overall questions regarding this report to John Mayko, Agronomic Research & Extension Manager, 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 Blais, Agronomist, Western Saskatchewan,
blaisd@canola-council.org,
306-895-2122
David Vanthuyne, Agronomist, Eastern Saskatchewan,
vanthuyd@canola-council.org,
306-782-7799
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.