In this issue:
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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
Harvesting over-wintered crop is underway throughout parts of western Canada where last year’s crop remained in the field. Quality ranges widely with some crop grading as high as #2 with others not worth harvesting because of rodent/deer damage or severe shelling. Growers are strongly encouraged to send samples of their spring threshed crop in for analysis to determine the quality for either commercial or feed purposes. Check out Canola Advantage 2005 media release#1 Spring threshed canola may still find a market:
http://www.canola-council.org/about-us/media-news/media-releases/media-apr1405.shtml
In fields with over-wintered crop that is deemed not to be worth harvesting, growers are left with the challenge of handling the remaining residue. Although the temptation to deal with the residues by burning is appealing, growers need to carefully consider the risk of fire spreading to unwanted areas, as well as the value of the residue in terms of the organic matter and the inherent nutrient content. Burning will drive off most of the nitrogen and sulphur. With current high prices for fertilizer, growers need to consider the cost of losing nutrients.
Canola seeding has begun in only a few areas of western Canada - in southeastern and southwestern Saskatchewan and in southern Alberta (south of Hwy. 1) with reports of most of the canola seeded in the Foremost-Medicine Hat region. The majority of fieldwork to date has been in field preparation such as rock picking and harrowing, soil sampling and fertilizer application. Many areas report some seeding of peas and wheat, but in general, widespread canola seeding is not expected until next week.
Soil moisture conditions across western Canada range from fair to excellent. Some small pockets of dryness remain in parts of southeastern and east–central Saskatchewan and the Manning area of the Peace region, but in general, soil moisture conditions across western Canada are reported to be the best in many years.
For current maps of moisture conditions from PFRA for western Canada, check the following link:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpay05_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/CrpRprt050424.pdf
Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/WS/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf
Soil temperatures are generally very good for this time of year in most areas of the prairies due to the warm temperatures in most regions over the past couple of weeks. However, weather forecasts for the end of the week in most areas indicate colder than normal weather, with forecast lows of up to -10°C. Some emergence of earlier seeded canola has been noticed in parts of southern Alberta. These early emerging areas are vulnerable to possible damage from spring frosts. If frost does occur:
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.
Many areas, such as eastern Manitoba and the Peace region, have areas of wet soils due to the moisture received last fall, as well as good over-winter precipitation. This has left many areas with badly rutted fields. Growers need to be vigilant in timing their spring tillage to reduce potential damage from lumps, clodding and compaction of soils that are worked too early.
As well, wet conditions in many areas over the fall, winter and spring may have led to nitrogen losses from de-nitrification. Growers who soil tested last fall should do a follow-up soil test for nitrogen this spring to determine whether there are changes in their soil nitrogen status from their earlier soil test.
Weed growth and emergence of winter annual weeds and volunteer canola have been prolific in many areas due to the combination of favorable moisture conditions and warm soil temperatures. Growers are strongly encouraged to assess the number and types of weeds present as well as their growth stage. This will assist in determining the proper product or tank-mix as well as the rate that may be required. Control of early germinating weeds is important in minimizing moisture and nutrient loss and reducing crop competition to establish a healthy and competitive crop stand. For more information on early season weed control, refer to the following Canola Council of Canada press release http://www.canola-council.org/about-us/media-news/media-releases/media-apr1805.shtml
Flea beetles (mostly striped) have been noticed in Manitoba in sticky traps as well as in the southern Peace. The warmer than normal soil conditions will speed up flea beetle emergence. Be especially vigilant for emerging flea beetles this spring in areas with flea beetle pressure last year. If conditions warrant, be prepared to use a high rate of insecticide seed treatment and/or follow up with a foliar insecticide application.
Cutworms have also been noticed in southern Alberta near Lethbridge. Growers who are experiencing emergence of early seeded fields should be especially vigilant about monitoring for their presence.
Although soil moisture conditions are favorable in most areas, growers need to ensure they seed shallow to facilitate rapid emergence, ideally at a depth of 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Keep any pre-seeding tillage shallow to help maintain the seedbed firmness and moisture. Make sure that seeding rates are high enough to establish the target of 7-14 plants/ft2.
http://www.canola-council.org/pdf/early_seed_tips.pdf#zoom=100
Refer to Canol@Fact http://www.canola-council.org/pdf/plant_pop_profit.pdf for further information on establishing proper plant populations. As well, 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.
Direct 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.
Direct specific questions regarding regional issues to 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 & Rural Initiatives,
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
Matthew Stanford, Agronomist, Southern Alberta,
stanfordm@canola-council.org, 403-758-6660
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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