In this issue:
(click the bookmarked links below to move to specific sections of this report)
Seeding virtually complete
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
Seeding of canola is virtually complete in most areas. Exceptions include central, eastern and the Interlake regions of Manitoba, which continue to be delayed by rain, wet fields and poor drying conditions. Some small pockets of seeding also remain in northern Saskatchewan near Choiceland and Rabbit Lake. Switching from longer season specialty crops such as corn, sunflower and soybeans to canola is reported in parts of Manitoba. Growers are also switching to earlier maturing canola varieties, or to herbicide tolerance packages better able to cope with varied and advanced weed pressure.
Soil moisture conditions across western Canada range from fair to excess. Most areas received at least some precipitation over the past week, but southwestern Manitoba and southwestern Alberta received heavy rains (up to 200 mm) which caused considerable flooding in some areas. Most of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and southwestern Alberta have good to excess moisture but moisture conditions remain only fair in east-central Alberta between Coronation and Camrose.
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 and soil moisture map from Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization is available at: http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/reports/crop_report/crprpt050605.pdf
Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/ws/data/precipmaps/precipmaps.html
Growers who still have canola left to seed are strongly encouraged to reassess the maturity suitability of their chosen varieties. The accumulation of temperature or Growing Degree Days (GDDs) has a major influence on days to maturity for canola. If the variety does not meet the requirements of the remainder of the growing season (available frost-free days), ask your local retailer to suggest other suitable varieties.
Manitoba growers can check the following link to determine their frost-free days: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/climate/waa50s00.html
Alberta growers can check the following link to determine their frost-free days: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex10
The continued delay in seeding progress due to wet weather in Manitoba has led some growers to use broadcast seeding. In general, broadcast seeding is not recommended, because broadcast seeding usually results in lower yields compared to drill seeding. However, producers faced with wet conditions that limit equipment flotation plus the risk of fall frost may wish to consider broadcast seeding in order to plant their seed in a more timely fashion. Following are some tips for enhancing the success of broadcast seeding.
Emergence of canola is general throughout most areas. Overall, emergence throughout western Canada is reported to be the best in years. However, recent heavy rains and flooding in some areas have caused concerns regarding compaction of later seeded crops. The degree of damage from the compaction will depend on a number of factors including soil texture, organic matter, residue cover, seeding depth and speed of soil drying after the rain. Frequent scouting (at least 2-3 times per week) is needed especially during emergence and early crop development to catch problems early.
The excess moisture received in many areas over the past week has lead to concerns regarding crop growth and development. Excess moisture often causes changes in plant colour and growth, caused by the lack of oxygen in the root zone. The degree of damage will depend on several factors including crop stage, soil type and texture and time spent under water. Growers concerned about the nutrient status of recently wet and flooded crops who are considering tissue testing need to remember to allow for the plant to recover and growth to stabilize before tissue testing. For further information regarding the effects of excess moisture on canola growth, refer to the following link: http://www.canola-council.org/excessmoisture.aspx
Weed growth continues in most areas, and is becoming heavy due to warmer temperatures, good moisture, and the lack of pre-emergent burn-off applications. Spraying delays due to rains and wet fields are compounding the problem in many areas. Frequent scouting remains important to assess the number and types of weeds present as well as their growth stage. Ensure the right rate and product(s) are used to control the required weed spectrum. Also, in areas affected by extreme weather (either very wet or dry conditions) ensure that the herbicide rate chosen is appropriate to allow good crop tolerance and adequate control of target weeds.
For more information on current product recommendations, check the following links from the provincial governments for their respective Crop Protection Guides:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/cropproduction/gaa01d01.html
http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/DOCS/crops/cropguide00.asp
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex32?opendocument
Cutworms continue to be a problem in parts of southern Alberta such as Fort MacLeod and isolated instances in the Manitoba Interlake and the north Peace near Lacrete. Refer to the May 5, 2004 Canola Watch report for more background information on cutworms: http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch-may5.shtml
Flea beetle pressure is lower this week, but some pressure continues in parts of northwestern Manitoba and the Peace region. The seed treatments on early seeded crops may be starting to lose their effectiveness by now (especially lighter rates) and many crops seeded with common seed did not receive an insecticide seed treatment. Frequent scouting is important to properly assess damage. Remember the damage threshold for action is 25% leaf defoliation in order to determine whether spraying is warranted.
Diamondback moth larvae continue to be found in southwestern and north-central Alberta near St. Albert, where some feeding damage has been noted. Spraying at this early stage is unlikely to be warranted unless the larval populations and feeding damage are noticeably heavy and the crop is under stress and is having difficulty outgrowing the damage. As well, diamondback moths continue to be found in southwestern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, north-eastern Alberta near Bonnyville, and the Peace near Falher. The diamondback monitoring program is being set up in all provinces and we will include links to the web updates of their results as soon as we receive them.
Grasshoppers have been reported in north-central Alberta near Stony Plain and Genesee, with damage mostly on forage grasses and cereals.
Send 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.