Swathing advanced in the south

Crop maturation and swathing progress vary widely. Southern regions of all three provinces are nearing completion of swathing, but parts of west central Alberta west of Hwy 2 are still up to a week away from starting swathing. Some of these regions will require two to three weeks of frost-free weather in order to have most of the crop ready for swathing.  Also, a severe wind storm and/or tornado hit the Shellbrook-Prince Albert region of Saskatchewan with many reports of damage from wind blown swaths.

For current maps of moisture conditions from the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), check the following links: 

Since Sept. 1, 2007 - http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113406&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=fdbee844ae154bbe1f5a5e8e326aab06

Since April 1, 2008 - http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113407&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=c2874582f99fd4f7fef490107d86b64c

The latest crop report from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) is available at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113408&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=3c11ced3c4d13134520b1989726bd161

The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture is available at:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=128168&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=d4ddc890880cf7d4e9c4421bd31a5b66

Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113410&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=e1ff0a6139cc5877ce889b4bcab7e086

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113411&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=3a7d562ab309328e3531e71b7bb79262

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Frost

Frost occurred this week in parts of Alberta including Athabasca, Two Hills, St. Paul and Glendon. Although the frost damage was light in many of these areas, there were likely lower temperatures in low lying areas. For more information on assessing fall frost damage and suggested courses of action, refer to the following Canol@Fact on early fall frosts: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=128169&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=3b8e540c414c40637d7de4e4fd51c463

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Lygus bug spraying winds down

The only areas reporting significant lygus bug populations this week were the Peace region and parts of central Alberta. For the most part crops are past the stage where control is recommended. For more information on lygus bugs and thresholds go to: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115753&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=067f39d3ddc003a30d845bf9b6f63f75

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Late season insects

Some spraying for bertha armyworm larvae occurred last week in the Prince Albert-Nipawin area of Saskatchewan. As well, lygus bugs continue to feed in a few fields in the Olds area of Alberta, where numbers are near or above thresholds.

Keep scouting fields, but if you are considering an insecticide application, keep in mind pre-harvest intervals for the registered products. Remember that pre-harvest interval refers to the time between application and when the crop is cut. With the recent hot weather seed colour change is advancing rapidly, so be realistic about the number of days to cutting the crop.

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Flea beetles keep hopping

Growers report high flea beetle populations in many fields throughout southern and eastern Manitoba, and in many parts of the Peace region. Swathing is a good time to assess the population of adult flea beetles, because these will make up the overwintering population that you may have to deal with next spring.

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Keep records of late season diseases

Sclerotinia and other diseases such as alternaria black spot, blackleg and clubroot are showing up in isolated areas. Swathing is also ideal to scout for these diseases, as access to the interior of the fields becomes much easier, and the symptoms are often readily visible. It is important to take time to accurately identify the disease, its severity on the plants, the percentage of plants infected, and to fully document this information. These records can be very useful for making future disease management decisions.

For more information on these diseases check the appropriate section of the Canola Growers’ Manual at the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=124029&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=e59071a4b3d01418d8379a6ed1298143

For pictures of symptoms of blackleg (and other canola diseases) check out our image library: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=124030&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=30b2280a575726880a588067b8999fb9

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Swathing: Check the seed and avoid the heat

Hot weather has caused much of the crop to yellow very quickly on the pods and stems. In this situation, remember that some varieties will show pod colour change prior to seed colour change. Growers must still ensure that seed colour change is occurring when assessing the proper time to swath. Do not use plant colour to gauge proper timing, because some pods will appear ripe on the outside before the seeds are mature. Open up pods on the main stem and look at the colour of the seeds to accurately assess swathing timing.

Research indicates that the optimum stage to swath for both yield and quality is up to an average of 60% seed colour change (SCC) on the main stem. However, for growers faced with uneven maturity within fields, or a large amount of crop which is now maturing at the same time as a result of the heat, it may not be possible to swath all of the crop in the 50-60% SCC window. In situations where uneven maturity is the problem, the best approach is to swath when the most mature plants are close to 60% SCC, provided that the least mature plants are showing some seed colour change at the base of the main stem and that seeds in the upper pods (and branches) are dark green and firm. This will minimize yield loss from seed shrinkage and improve the odds that the seed will cure, although it will likely take longer and may require some more moist conditions. For growers with large acreages to cover, waiting for at least 25-30% SCC will capture most of the yield potential because the bulk of the seed will be past physiological maturity and be entering the dry down phase.

While growers should always try to avoid swathing during the hottest part of the day to minimize shattering of mature pods and slow dry down of less mature ones, this is particularly important in the situations described above. Slower dry down aids the curing process, which is important for reducing the chance for green seed issues. Swathing in the late evening through early morning hours when moisture levels are higher also helps in situations where hail or insect damage is present, or diseases such as alternaria black spot have predisposed the plants to shattering. If damage from these factors is fairly severe and shattering risk is high, growers may need to consider swathing earlier, but try to wait for at least 20-25% average seed colour change.

In areas where crop development is delayed because of cooler weather or with late seeded or reseeded crops, and if the short-term weather forecast remains cool and/or cloudy with a high risk of frost, it may be better to begin swathing these fields as early as 10% seed colour change. The risk of yield loss from early swathing will be reduced if all the seed is firm, but the risk of grade loss from frost damage if the crop is left standing will continue to rise with September’s arrival. Growers considering early swathing to avoid or reduce green seed levels from frost need to remember that swathing prior to 15-20% seed colour change will likely reduce some yield potential. Also, canola has to dry down sufficiently to reduce freezing damage, and the canola may need to be swathed for several days before this stage is reached, especially if conditions are cool and damp.

As mentioned last week, some canola is re-flowering (due to hail damage, rainfall after a period of drought stress). Any pods forming from these new flowers are unlikely to produce mature seed prior to fall frost. In most cases, ignore these when assessing seed colour change for swathing, as they will likely contribute very little to the overall yield.

To learn more about proper harvest field assessment, refer to the revised Canola Council publication "Canola Time of Swathing Guide" or the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=124032&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=7f926d9317f765b30c2932231d39451d

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Reduce chances of wind blown swaths

There have been many reports of short crop heights and lodging resulting from the stresses of the season. This means crops will have to be cut close to the ground to capture all of the pods on the plants, leaving less stubble to anchor swaths. Taking other measures to reduce the odds of wind damage to swaths will be even more critical this year. Swathing parallel to the typical direction of prevailing winds in the area and utilizing a properly adjusted swath roller to anchor swaths will help reduce wind damage. Alternatively, leaving these crops for straight cutting may be an option, but in some cases the crop canopy may not be conducive for straight cutting.

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Thinking about straight cutting?

 To improve the odds of success, consider the following four factors:

• Crop canopy – The crop should be well knitted and slightly lodged to reduce potential seed loss through pod drop and shelling. Frost, drought and insect damage all affect pod integrity. A uniform crop with minimal green weed growth is also a huge advantage when straight cutting.
• Disease – The crop should be relatively free from blackleg, fusarium wilt, sclerotinia and alternaria. These diseases can cause premature ripening, which makes the crop prone to pod shatter.
• Hail - Crops affected by hail are poor candidates for straight cutting because they typically see greater disease infection due to tissue damage. The physical damage also reduces pod integrity. If late season hail is common in your area, keep in mind that hail will cause more damage to a standing crop than a swathed crop.
• Frost risk – Canola seed is at significant risk for fall frost damage until seed moisture drops below 20%. This moisture drop will take much longer in a standing crop, making late maturing crops poor candidates for straight cutting. Canola will be much more vulnerable to yield loss and downgrading from frost damage when standing.

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Understanding the chemical-aided dry down process

Growers who have decided to straight combine some of their canola may be considering pre-harvest weed control or desiccation, particularly in fields with uneven maturity. While these products can hasten dry down of mature plants, they will kill any immature ones. It is also important to understand that these products are not designed to seal the pods against pod shattering, and in some cases may make the crop more vulnerable to shattering if harvest is delayed. Be prepared to harvest as soon as the crop is ready, because the more rapid dry down will leave the crop vulnerable to shattering sooner than if it is left to mature on its own. If applying pre-harvest chemicals with ground rig sprayers, using crop dividers can reduce the amount of crop loss due to trampling and shattering. In addition, traveling back and forth in the direction of prevailing crop lean will help reduce losses.

On Roundup Ready canola varieties, a pre-harvest glyphosate application will assist in some dry down of green weeds and offer perennial weed control, but it will not dry down the crop. For other types of canola, it is critical not to apply the product too early. Apply when the crop has 30% or less seed moisture content. At this stage, which is past the typical swathing timing, pods are green to yellow, and most seeds have turned from green to yellow or brown. For a faster acting desiccant like Reglone, it is even more important to delay application to allow seeds to reach physiological maturity. The recommended stage is when an average of 65-75% of seed on the whole plant has turned brown. Keep in mind that this will be well past 75% seed colour change on the main stem.

Also remember to use only products that are registered for pre-harvest application. The use of unregistered products may leave unacceptable levels of residue in the seed.

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Applying a pod sealant?

Growers continue to question the use of some pod sealant products which are new to the Canadian marketplace. These products are designed to prevent the pods from splitting open during ripening. For more discussion on this topic, refer to the appropriate section in last week’s Canola Watch report at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=128170&q=85571803&lm=11426940&r=109590&qz=fc185214c4e14a68d7b203e75d25eeed

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Protect harvested canola in the bin

Once the crop is harvested, store it properly to protect your investment. Ensure that storage bins are clean and free from insecticides including malathion. Growers concerned about possible insect infestations from bin floors or walls that are in questionable shape could consider using diatomaceous earth products such as Protect-It or Insecto for insect control. These products should only be used to treat bin floors and walls prior to storing grain, as they are not registered for use on stored canola seed.

For those few growers who have started combining canola, remember that canola storage can still be a concern even at seed moisture levels considered dry. Remember that freshly harvested canola seed can respire for up to six weeks and can begin to develop moist and hot spots within the bin which then cause the seed to heat. 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, chaff or insects. Use aeration to bring down the temperature of the binned canola.

Canola should be stored in aeration bins whenever possible, and should be conditioned to below 15 degrees C and 8% moisture for longer term storage.

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Yes, it’s time to think about weed control for next year

With swathing and harvest under way, consider a valuable weed control tool to set up for next year's canola crop - pre-harvest glyphosate. Challenging conditions this spring resulted in less than ideal control of perennial and winter annual weeds in some fields. This fall may be an opportune time to control these weeds for next year.

Fall is the most consistent and effective timing for many perennial weeds, providing an effective and economical alternative to in-crop applications. In early fall, perennial weeds are moving nutrients down into roots and rhizomes to prepare for winter. This is when they are most vulnerable to herbicide translocation to the roots, and better control is possible. Wait three full days (72 hours) after application before cutting to allow thorough translocation of the herbicide to ensure extended long-term weed control. Keep in mind that in general, the use of pre-harvest glyphosate on crops grown for seed should be avoided.

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Questions & Contacts

Direct questions regarding this report to John Mayko, Senior Agronomy Specialist with the Canola Council of Canada at maykoj@canolacouncil.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, Agronomy Specialist, Manitoba, hammondd@canolacouncil.org,
204-729-9011
Ingrid Kristjanson, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Ingrid.Kristjanson@gov.mb.ca,
204-746-7504
David Vanthuyne, Agronomy Specialist, Eastern Saskatchewan, vanthuyned@canolacouncil.org,  
306-946-3588
Venkata Vakulabharanam, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Venkata.Vakulabharanam@gov.sk.ca  
306-787-2594
Doug Moisey, Agronomy Specialist, Parkland East (East Central AB & NW SK), moiseyd@canolacouncil.org,
780-645-3624
Matthew Stanford, Agronomy Specialist, Chinook (Southern AB & SW SK), stanfordm@canolacouncil.org,
403-327-4832
Erin Brock, Agronomy Specialist, Peace Region, brocke@canolacouncil.org,
780-568-3326
Murray Hartman, Alberta Agriculture and 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 and Rural Initiatives; Manitoba Canola Growers Association; United Farmers of Alberta; Viterra; Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture; Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association; Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission; Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development; Alberta Canola Producers Commission; BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Canola Council of Canada.