In this issue:
(click the bookmarked links below to move to specific sections of this report)
Seeding progress varies widely
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 continues to progress over the past week in many areas. Seeding of canola ranges from 20% done in some areas of eastern Manitoba and the Interlake to complete in southern Alberta south of Hwy. 1. Seeding continues to be delayed by rains of up to 75 mm throughout southwestern, central and eastern Manitoba, southeastern and northwestern Saskatchewan, northeastern Alberta and the northern Peace.
Soil moisture conditions across western Canada range from poor to excess. Areas of surface dryness have decreased in Saskatchewan with rains this past week, but much of southern and east central Alberta are in need of rain soon to promote decent germination and early crop growth.
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/crprpt050522.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 should be reassessing 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. In the short and mid season zones of western Canada, maturity for B. napus varieties will range from 95 to 125 days, depending on the growing season heat accumulation. B. rapa varieties usually range from 80 to 115 days to maturity.
First, find out how many days to maturity are required for the variety that is to be seeded. Usually the variety will be rated as; number of days earlier (minus) or later (plus) or equal to the check. Using a typical first fall frost date, count back the days to maturity to get to the safe seeding date. For example, if the first frost is August 25 on average and maturity of the check in the area is 103 days, counting back gives a safe seeding date of May 17. If the variety to be seeded is five days earlier in maturity than the check, this means that in a typical year, seeding up to May 22 would be acceptable for that variety. If the variety does not meet the requirements, 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 delay in seeding progress due to wet weather in Manitoba has led to many questions regarding the feasibility of broadcast seeding. In general, broadcast seeding is not recommended. Usually, broadcast seeding 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. Here are some tips for enhancing the success of broadcast seeding.
Although seeding dates are getting late in many areas, it’s really important that growers follow proper seeding practices. Seed shallow to facilitate rapid emergence, ideally at a depth of 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Seed slow for proper seed-soil contact and to ensure that most of the seed is placed in the required zone. Apply recommended rates of phosphorus fertilizer for the faster pop-up effect and to assist in hastening crop maturity, especially if conditions remain cool and wet.
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.
Emergence of early seeded canola has begun in most areas. Frequent scouting (at least 2-3 times per week) is needed especially during this time period to catch problems early. Refer to the following Canol@Fact for more information: http://www.canola-council.org/pdf/seed_to_21days.pdf#zoom=100
Weed growth continues in most areas. Many fields have been seeded without a pre-seeding burn-off with the intention of a post-seeding burn-off or early in-crop application. Rain delays in many areas have caused problems in applying the burn-off treatment. In-crop spraying of early seeded fields is expected to become general by next week. Frequent scouting remains important in these fields 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.
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 noticed in parts of southern Alberta and eastern Alberta near Paradise Valley. 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 beetles are still being found in most areas on volunteer canola, and are becoming a problem in parts of southwestern Manitoba near Killarney, in western Saskatchewan (especially in fields with no insecticide seed treatment) and the Peace region near Rycroft and St. Isadore. They continue to be quite a problem in north-central Alberta near Redwater, Fort Saskatchewan, and Morinville where some spraying has occurred even on insecticide seed treated fields. The delayed emergence and early season growth due to cooler weather, combined with high flea beetle populations are likely factors contributing to damage in these areas. As well, the seed treatments on early seeded crops may be starting to lose their effectiveness by now (especially lighter rates). 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.
A few small diamondback moth larvae have been found in southern Alberta near Medicine Hat. Most diamondback moths fly in from the southern US or Mexico from strong, southerly winds. However, the very good physical condition of some of these moths leads some entomologists to speculate that some may have over-wintered. 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.
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.
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