Consider top dressing
Areas with excess moisture may also experience substantial nitrogen losses from saturated soils in low-lying areas. If excess water recedes fairly quickly and the canola recovers, growers may need to consider top dressing additional nitrogen to compensate for the loss.
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 nitrogen and sulphur rates by top dressing, if crop establishment and growing conditions are good.
Growers concerned about the nutrient status of their crop should consider tissue testing, but for recently flooded canola it is important to allow for the plant to recover and growth to stabilize before tissue testing takes place. Remember that top dressing N and S fertilizer can be successful up to the bolting stage – as long as rainfall occurs moves 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, such as leaf burn, on the crop. When considering products like fines, ensure the application equipment available will allow consistent coverage.
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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.
Canola Watch Report No. 8
Western Canada June 19, 2008
In This Issue
Cool weather hampers development
Moisture conditions range from poor to excessive
Excess moisture
Soil compaction
Consider top dressing
Crop enhancement products
Flea beetles still hopping
Weed control delays
Clean sprayers properly
Cutworms
Watch for cabbage seedpod weevils
Continue regular scouting
Questions & Contacts
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 and click the Alberta Canola Watch button.
Cool weather hampers development
Cool weather over the past week has delayed crop development. Crop development ranges from early emergence for late seeded and reseeded crops to complete ground cover for some earlier seeded fields. Warm weather is needed.
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Excess moisture
Stress from excess moisture is occurring in parts of central, eastern and Interlake regions of Manitoba, parts of southern Saskatchewan, south-central Alberta between Calgary and Red Deer and the eastern Peace region between Guy and High Prairie. 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 waterlogged conditions. For further information regarding the effects of excess moisture on canola growth, refer to the following link from the Canola Growers Manual: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113412&q=77273987&lm=11426940&r=98251&qz=c72c710f79da1f39eafa24898dc9935d .
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Soil compaction
Parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan are seeing soil compaction, primarily from heavy rains on finer textured (clay) soils. Compaction will often lead to problems with plant emergence or cause symptoms similar to excess moisture because of poor root development and reduced oxygen intake. If crops have not yet emerged, consider a light harrowing to help break the crusted soil. However, first check the germination status. If a number of seeds have already germinated and sprouted, these seeds may be damaged by harrowing. A light rain shower might be all that is needed to soften the surface and allow the seedlings to emerge.
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Consider top dressing
Areas with excess moisture may also experience substantial nitrogen losses from saturated soils in low-lying areas. If excess water recedes fairly quickly and the canola recovers, growers may need to consider top dressing additional nitrogen to compensate for the loss.
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 nitrogen and sulphur rates by top dressing, if crop establishment and growing conditions are good.
Growers concerned about the nutrient status of their crop should consider tissue testing, but for recently flooded canola it is important to allow for the plant to recover and growth to stabilize before tissue testing takes place. Remember that top dressing N and S fertilizer can be successful up to the bolting stage – as long as rainfall occurs moves 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, such as leaf burn, on the crop. When considering products like fines, ensure the application equipment available will allow consistent coverage.
to the top
Crop enhancement products
With this year’s favourable crop prices, there has been a lot of interest in various crop enhancement products on the market, such as foliar fertilizer and micronutrient products. Although these products can play a role in correcting deficiencies if they arise, growers should be sure they are required before applying over the whole farm. Consider application to a smaller controlled area, on perhaps one or two fields, and leave an appropriate check area in each field so that accurate yield comparisons on your own farm can be made at harvest. Investigate beyond the testimonials! Ask for credible research data to support the yield claims from product promoters.
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Flea beetles still hopping
Flea beetles continue to appear in some parts of Manitoba and in southcentral Alberta near Trochu, largely on earlier seeded fields where it is assumed that the effectiveness of the seed treatment insecticide has dissipated. Ensure insect pressures are at or close to threshold levels and consider the crop growth stage before applying recommended insecticides at the proper dose. Once canola reaches the four- or five-leaf stage it rarely requires further flea beetle protection unless the crop is under considerable stress. With a return of favourable temperatures, crop growth should be faster, which will allow the crop to outgrow flea beetle pressure in many cases.
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Weed control delays
Recent rains have delayed crop spraying in many areas. As well, the ample moisture has encouraged the emergence of some not-so-common weeds in certain areas (eg. barnyard grass and curled dock in Manitoba). Weed growth has been rapid in many areas due to favourable moisture conditions, and there are many reports of weeds at different stages or flushes (eg. wild oats). Therefore, before spraying, it is important to properly scout fields to accurately determine the specific weeds that are present and the weed and crop stage. With advanced weed stages, consider increasing herbicide rates within recommended guidelines. Also, proper coverage of weeds will be more difficult with more advanced and varying weed and crop stages. Use adequate spray volumes and pressures to get good coverage and canopy penetration.
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Cutworms
Cutworms continue to show up in parts of western Canada. At this time, many of the cutworms are at an advanced stage of development and may be close to pupating and not actively feeding. To determine if most of the larvae are actively feeding, check the translucent abdomen for green. The green colour is an indication that the gut is full of plant material, and the larvae have been feeding. Use an insecticide when cutworms exceed 3-4 per m2, and are actively feeding.
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Watch for cabbage seedpod weevils
Cabbage seedpod weevils have been reported in southern Alberta. Growers should carefully watch for weevils throughout southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan (south of Hwy. 1) and be prepared to spray if populations remain high at early flower. Begin scouting fields at the bud stage with a sweep net to check for levels of both cabbage seedpod weevil and lygus bugs.
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Continue regular scouting
Scout fields on a regular basis to detect crop development problems early. Consider establishing a 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.
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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.