Issues of the week

Swathing of canola is well underway in Manitoba and just beginning in the earliest fields in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Avoid swathing during the heat of the day as chlorophyll can be locked in and green seed counts can remain high.

Late-season insects such as Lygus bug and Bertha armyworm continue to be found above threshold in parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Always read and follow pre-harvest interval (PHI) instructions on product labels.

Several issues are making swath timing decisions a bit challenging in all regions. These include diseases, hail damage, uneven maturity and high temperatures. Consider where the bulk of the yield is located (which plants or areas of the field) and time your swathing to optimize yield of those plants.