http://www.canola.ab.ca and click the Alberta Canola Watch button.
Canola seeding progress varies
Canola seeding continued this week in parts of southern Manitoba, southeastern and south central Saskatchewan, and most of southern Alberta. Limited canola seeding has occurred in most other areas due to cool and/or wet weather. Some areas report seeding of peas and wheat, but generally canola seeding is not expected until the end of this week. Central and northern areas of the Peace region are still quite wet and general field work is not expected for at least another week.
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Soil remains cool
Soil temperatures have slowly improved in some areas over the past week but remain cool in others. Although weather forecasts for many areas indicate seasonable daily highs, nightly frosts are still forecast.
Many areas, such as northeastern Saskatchewan and the eastern Peace region are experiencing wet soils. Growers must be vigilant in timing spring tillage to reduce potential damage from lumps, clodding and compaction of soils that are worked too early.
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Keep soil tests on the agenda
Reports indicate a wide range in residual nutrient levels based on soil test results. Many areas that experienced good to excellent crop yields last year or heavy weed growth late in the fall are showing reduced levels of available nutrients. Other areas had good soil moisture and temperatures last year which promoted nutrient mineralization. Do a proper soil test to determine levels of available nutrients, especially in light of record fertilizer prices.
It is important to consider yield targets and to understand the recommendation philosophy of a chosen soil test lab as it relates to specific nutrient recommendations. For further background information on the importance of soil testing and on recommendation philosophies, refer to the following links:
http://www.canola-council.org/canola_resources/product38.aspx
http://www.ipni.net/ppiweb/ppibase.nsf/$webindex/article=46031E8B852569E00074B3408B503939
For further information on crop nutrition and tailoring soil test results into fertilizer recommendations, refer to the following link from MAFRI: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/soilwater/soilfert/fbd02s00.html
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Pre-seeding burnoff sets up a good start
Assess the number, growth stage and types of weeds present prior to pre-seeding burnoff applications. This will help determine the proper product or tank-mix as well as the correct rate. Weed growth has been slow in many areas due to cool weather, leading some growers to consider postponing burnoff until after seeding and before crop emergence. If growers decide to follow this route, remember that delays because of weather or other field operations increase the risk of missing out on the burnoff, which could be costly if the first flush of weed growth gets ahead of the crop. Control of early germinating weeds is important to minimize moisture and nutrient loss and reduce competition to allow establishment of a healthy and competitive crop stand. For more information on pre-seeding weed control, refer to the following link from Reduced Tillage Linkages: http://reducedtillage.ca/docs/PreseedWeed%20BurndownApril2008.pdf
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Focus on seeding depth, seeding rate
Although soil moisture conditions are favourable in many areas, growers must make sure to seed shallow to facilitate rapid emergence. The ideal depth is ½ to ¾ inch. Seeding too fast often results in variable seeding depth, which causes uneven or reduced emergence. Make sure soil temperature is at least 5 °C when averaged over the coolest and warmest parts of the day. Cool soil temperatures will slow emergence, putting seedlings at more risk from seedling diseases and flea beetles. Keep any pre-seeding tillage shallow to help maintain seedbed firmness and moisture.
Make sure the seeding rate is high enough to establish the target of 7-14 plants/ft2. The following formula can be used to help calculate the required seeding rate:
Seeding Rate (lb/ac) = 9.6 x Desired Plants per ft2 x TSW
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Estimated Seed Survival
TSW – Thousand seed weight in grams (must be calculated from individual’s bag of seed
Estimated Seed Survival – Your own estimate based on environmental and seedbed conditions (expressed as a whole number).
For example: If the desired number of plants/ft2 is 9, TSW is 4.0 grams, and estimated seed survival is 60%, seeding rate should be 5.76 lb/ac.
Seeding rate (lb/ac) = 9.6 x 9 plants/ ft2 x 4.0 grams = 5.76 lb/ac
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Refer to the following Canol@Fact sheets for further information on establishing proper plant populations:
Early Seeding Tips - http://www.canola-council.org/canola_resources/product24.aspx
Plant Populations for Profitability – http://www.canola-council.org/canola_resources/product34.aspx
As well, apply recommended rates of seed-placed phosphorus fertilizer for the faster pop-up effect in cooler areas and to assist in hastening crop maturity in the fall.
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Check for uniform seeding depth
Purchase a new seeding tool? Spend some extra time to ensure the equipment is set up properly. Major issues with uneven emergence, which can be traced back to equipment, usually involve side-to-side or front-to-back leveling. After making the first couple of passes, check seed depth across the ranks and at least 50 yards back from where the machine is stopped to get a true indication of depth at traveling speed.
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Flea beetles beginning to appear
High flea beetle counts have been reported in sticky traps near Saskatoon despite relatively cool weather. Therefore growers need to continually watch for flea beetle activity on the newly emerging crop. Don’t assume that flea beetle activity is low because of cool weather. Striped flea beetles are known to be more active than crucifer flea beetles under cooler conditions. For more information on identifying flea beetles, refer to the following link: http://www.canolacouncil.org/chapter10b.aspx#ch10b_sec12
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Check germination after 10 days
Some areas of southeastern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan have had canola in the ground for over three weeks. Some question the viability of the seed, especially under cold conditions. Even if surface emergence is not apparent, scrape back the soil and find the seeds. The condition of the seeds can help determine the cause of poor germination. Hard seeds are probably an indication that conditions have been too dry and/or cold to facilitate germination. Unless most of the seeds are soft and seed decay is taking place, additional moisture and/or warmer temperatures may correct the problem.
If the seed coat is cracked, note the structure of the developing seedling. Seedling turgidity is a function of the emerging hypocotyl remaining rigid and having enough moisture to push through the soil surface. The healthy, emerging hypocotyl will be firm and white. If moisture in the seeding zone runs out during emergence, the hypocotyl will dry out and discolour, often turning brown and wilted. This phenomenon is common in areas where soil surface moisture has dried out due to wind or lack of rainfall. The result is patchy emergence. It is often misdiagnosed as a seedling disease complex like damping off. Cool, dry soil is often the main culprit for poor emergence due to lack of seedling turgidity.
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Are you Canola Export Ready?
With a few last-minute seeding decisions still to be made, it is imperative that growers do not seed any de-registered varieties that may impact export markets. Also, older seed treatments that contain lindane must not be used. Refer to the Canola Council of Canada website for more information on the Canola Export Ready program and which varieties and pesticides are not approved for use in Canada: http://www.canola-council.org/export_ready.html
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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@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, Agronomy Specialist, Manitoba, hammondd@canola-council.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, vanthuyd@canola-council.org,
306-946-3588
Jim Bessel, Senior Agronomy Specialist, North central/Eastern Saskatchewan,
besselj@canola-council.org, 306-373-677
Faye Dokken/Scott Hartley, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Faye.Dokken@gov.sk.ca / shartley@gov.sk.ca , 306-787-4671 / 306-787-4669
Doug Moisey, Agronomy Specialist, Parkland East (East Central AB & NW SK),
moiseyd@canola-council.org, 780-645-3624
Matthew Stanford, Agronomy Specialist, Chinook (Southern AB & SW SK),
stanfordm@canola-council.org, 403-327-4832
Erin Brock, Agronomy Specialist, Peace Region, brocke@canola-council.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.
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