#6 Western Canada – June 6, 2007
In this issue:
(click the bookmark links below to move to specific sections of this report)
Canola seeding nearing completion despite weather setbacks
Standing water creating local problems
Excess moisture stressing canola in some areas
Consider top-dressing fertilizer this year
Frost damage light so far
Let stressed plants recover before spraying for weeds
Remember to read and follow herbicide labels
Review spraying tips
Scout fields regularly
Watch for herbicide residue symptoms
Cutworms reported in Saskatchewan and Manitoba canola fields
Identify flea beetles for Council records
Gophers popping up
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
Canola seeding is nearing completion across many areas of the prairies. Favourable weather in Alberta and Saskatchewan allowed for rapid seeding progress over the past week. Seeding continued in many areas including northern Saskatchewan, central Alberta and the Peace region. Some switching to earlier maturing B. napus and B. rapa varieties was reported in west-central Alberta and the Peace region. Although seeding progress was rapid this past week, there are still likely to be a substantial number of unseeded acres in west-central Alberta and the Peace because of wet field conditions.
Soil moisture conditions continue to range from good to excessive across most of western Canada, although topsoil moisture conditions deteriorated in many parts of north-central Alberta. Variable precipitation was received across many parts of the west. Areas reporting standing water decreased from last week, but continue to be a problem in parts of eastern Manitoba including areas around Niverville, Landmark and Lac du Bonnet, parts of northern and eastern Saskatchewan, central Alberta between Olds and Lacombe, and parts of the Peace region including Rycroft, Eaglesham and Debolt.
For current maps of moisture conditions from PFRA for western Canada, check the following links for precipitation since September 1 and April 1 respectively:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpay07_e.htm
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpgs07_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/crprpt070604.asp
Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/WS/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf
Emergence is general throughout all regions on earlier seeded crop. Areas of north-central Alberta that were seeded later are reporting patchy emergence due to the rapid drying of the topsoil with recent hot weather and winds. However, stress from excess moisture continues in parts of eastern and northeast Saskatchewan and eastern Manitoba. Excess moisture results in a lack of oxygen in the root zone that causes changes in plant colour such as yellowing or purpling, stunted growth, or premature bolting (small and spindly canola plants that are starting to bolt). The degree of damage will depend on several factors including crop stage, soil type and texture and time spent under water. For further information regarding the effects of excess moisture on canola growth, refer to the following link: http://www.canola-council.org/excessmoisture.aspx.
Areas with excess moisture may also experience substantial nitrogen losses from saturated soils in low-lying areas. If the excess water recedes fairly quickly and the canola recovers, growers may need to consider top dressing additional nitrogen to compensate. As well, growers who were conservative with their initial fertilizer applications for this crop or were unable to access sufficient fertilizer at the time of seeding may also consider topping up their nitrogen and sulphur rates by top dressing, if crop establishment is good and growing conditions have improved. Growers concerned about the nutrient status of their crop should consider tissue testing, but for recently flooded canola it is important to remember to allow for the plant to recover and growth to stabilize before tissue testing takes place. Remember that topdressing N and S fertilizer can be successful up to the bolting stage--as long as rainfall occurs to move the fertilizer into the root zone. This helps alleviate any deficiencies and ensures optimum yields if sub-optimal fertilizer rates were applied or nutrient losses have occurred. Also, ensure rates and field conditions are appropriate to minimize any detrimental effects to the crop, such as leaf burn. If considering products like fines, ensure the application equipment available will allow consistent coverage.
Frost was reported in Saskatchewan near Tisdale and Lloydminster. Damage to emerging canola is mostly reported to be light so far, but some reseeding has occurred in parts of western Manitoba. Refer to the Canol@Fact “Tips for assessing spring frost damage in canola” for more information: http://www.canola-council.org/PDF/may5_Canola_AssessingSpring.pdf#zoom=100
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.
Prolific weed growth continues in many areas due to the favourable moisture conditions. Weed growth is especially heavy in direct seeded fields that have not received a pre or post-seeding burn-off application. In these cases it is especially important for growers to do an early in-crop herbicide application. Control of early germinating weeds is important in minimizing moisture and nutrient loss and reducing weed competition to allow establishment of a healthy and competitive crop stand. However, because many of these areas have also experienced frost and standing water, it is important that growers give the crop some time to recover from these stresses before applying another stress in terms of herbicide application. Poor growing conditions also often lead to poor weed control as well.
Growers are strongly encouraged to assess the number, growth stage and types of weeds present prior herbicide applications. Also, remember to read herbicide labels. With several herbicides available in various formulations (e.g. glyphosate), as well as various possible tank-mix combinations, it is important that the correct rate and timing of product(s) are applied to ensure good weed control and crop tolerance. For specific weed-herbicide recommendations in canola, refer to page 40, Table 10, of the following MAFRI link: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/cropproduction/pdf/gcp2007/weed.pdf
For specific recommendations regarding tank mix options, refer to the following MAFRI link: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/cropproduction/pdf/gcp2007/pesticidetankmixchart.pdf
Review the following weed control and spraying tips:
- Control weed flushes early to maintain crop yield potential. For more information on the value of early weed control, check the following Canol@Fact: http://www.canola-council.org/PDF/Jun13_Canola_Fact_Sheet.pdf.
- Calibrate your sprayer for the specific product to be applied. For more information on how to properly calibrate your sprayer, check the following OMAFRA link: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/88-129.htm
- Choose the proper nozzle to apply the product effectively and reduce the chances of damage to neighbouring crops from spray drift. Check the following SAFRR link: http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/production/faq_choosingnozzles.asp
- Use adequate protection during spraying to reduce exposure.
- Water quality is key to achieving proper performance of many herbicides, particularly with glyphosate and many grassy weed products. For more information, check the following SAFRR link: http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/production/waterquality.asp
- Custom applicators (and growers in general) need to ensure they are applying the right product to the right field. Ensure legal land descriptions and field directions are 100% accurate to eliminate misapplication of products.
- Follow label directions for proper product rates and application techniques. Although good weed control has been reported using reduced product and/or water volume rates, remember that unless the product is applied in accordance with label directions, the applicator will have little recourse in the event of poor product performance or crop damage.
- Place a 4’X6’ tarp on the ground prior to spraying to create a weed check. This will allow for performance comparisons.
Remember to keep scouting fields on a regular basis to detect crop development problems early. Consider establishing a scouting tramline by driving an ATV in an ‘X’ or ‘W’ pattern in the field to establish pathways for crop scouting. This will allow for easier scouting with minimal trampling at later crop stages, especially once the crop is blooming.
When scouting fields with any stand establishment problems, check for the presence of the blue seed coat, at or near the root of the seedling or the depth of seeding. This will indicate whether the affected plants are from the current year’s seed, or whether the plants may be volunteers from previous years.
Herbicide residue symptoms have been reported in Manitoba on susceptible crops affected by the drought last summer. To assist in identification of herbicide residues on canola, refer to the following Canola Council Herbicide Residue Injury Guide at: http://www.canola-council.org/PDF/toolbook.pdf#zoom=100
Cutworms continue to be reported in parts of southwestern and southeastern Saskatchewan and in Manitoba near Elgin, Starbuck and Letellier. Be especially vigilant in areas that had cutworm damage last year. For more information on cutworms, refer to last week’s Canola Watch report: http://www.canola-council.org/Canola_Watch_Report_2007_05.html.
Some of the reported incidences had cutworm sizes over 25 mm long, which are not good candidates for control, since these worms are close to pupating, so be sure of the size before considering control measures. Also refer to the Canol@Fact on controlling cutworms in canola: http://www.canola-council.org/PDF/May4_2FS_Controlling_Cutworms.pdf#zoom=100
Flea beetles continue to be reported in parts of southwestern Manitoba, in many areas of Saskatchewan and in Alberta near Craigmyle, Lacombe, St. Albert and in the Peace region. Although many of the reports are on volunteer canola and wild mustard, pay particular attention in fields with tight canola rotations, where no insecticide seed treatment was used, or when the seed has been in the ground for a long time before emerging. Agronomists are encouraged to note whether the flea beetles are two-striped or cruciferous. Check the following link for help in identifying the different species: http://www.canola-council.org/fleabeetleident.aspx
If noted, please pass this information on to your local Canola Council agronomist. For more tips on scouting for flea beetles, refer to a previous Canola Watch report at: http://www.canola-council.org/Canola_Watch_Report_2007_04.html
Gopher (Richardson’s ground squirrel) damage was reported in areas of southern and north-western Saskatchewan. Refer to the following AAF link for further information on management and control: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3471
Direct questions regarding this report to John Mayko, Senior Agronomist, Parkland West (West Central AB), 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 agronomists or provincial oilseed specialists:
Derwyn Hammond, Agronomist, Manitoba, hammondd@canola-council.org, 204-729-9011
Arvel Lawson, Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives, Arvel.Lawson@gov.mb.ca, 204-745-0340
David Vanthuyne, Agronomist, Eastern Saskatchewan, vanthuyd@canola-council.org, 306-782-7799
Jim Bessel, Senior Agronomist, North-central/eastern Saskatchewan, besselj@canola-council.org, 306-373-6771
Penny Pearse/Scott Hartley, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization, ppearse@agr.gov.sk.ca / shartley@agr.gov.sk.ca , 306-787-4671 / 306-787-4669
Doug Moisey, Agronomist, Parkland East (East Central AB & NW SK), moiseyd@canola-council.org, 780-645-3624
Matthew Stanford, Agronomist, Chinook (Southern AB & SW SK), stanfordm@canola-council.org, 403-758-6660
Anne Vos, Acting Agronomist, Peace Region, av@summit-ag.com, 780-835-4632
Murray Hartman, Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development, murray.hartman@gov.ab.ca, 403-782-8024
Kerry Clark, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Kerry.Clark@gov.bc.ca, 250-784-2559
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; 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.