General crop reports and moisture information

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=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=2d2cf7f2ba387f1a85a8ee3469df74d4

Since April 1, 2008 - http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113407&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=39754f4119d49fc51c798622cc8b29ac

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=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=94af08571591fdfe52af901dff5281c7

Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113410&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=f5460cae45dd40d1c75af6e54996907f

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113411&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=6c93d987a6ea02269a28f6f10d844451

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Hail

Hail was reported in many areas, usually in conjunction with thunderstorms. Hail damage at this stage of the crop usually delays development as the plant channels its resources into rebuilding the damaged parts before advancing growth. If possible, avoid herbicide applications until you see signs of recovery to help ensure good crop tolerance and adequate chemical uptake by weeds. Canola stands with lower than optimal plant density will require careful management. Properly timed weed and insect control will be critical to allow the crop to compensate. Maturity will also likely be delayed.

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Scout, scout, scout

Although insect development has been slow, some mid- to late-season insects are starting to appear. Many fields are also reaching the bloom stage, which means it’s time to make decisions about fungicide applications to protect against sclerotinia.

Get into the interior of fields! Early stresses have caused uneven crop establishment and development, which could also mean greater variation in pest pressure throughout fields. Keep scouting canola fields on a regular basis to detect crop development problems and pest issues early. Not eager to wade through chest high canola? Make a pathway for crop scouting by driving an ATV in an X or W pattern in the field, or follow high clearance sprayer tracks. This will allow for easier scouting with minimal trampling at later crop stages, especially once the crop blooms.

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Alfalfa loopers, blister beetles, beet webworm moths, diamondback moth larvae

Access information on these insects and all insect pests of canola at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115748&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=ca5b493155e7b8d8cc25326dbb8d1f4b

Alfalfa loopers are in southern Alberta. They are light green to olive green in colour with a paler head, a light stripe down each side, and two light stripes along the back.

Blister beetles have appeared in northwestern Manitoba. Blister beetles can range in colour from iridescent magenta to completely black (Check our image gallery - http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114555&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=bf53b640d757bf685522d94eed67dc7a). They are not often a pest in canola and are usually beneficial insects, especially as they prey on grasshopper eggs.

Large numbers of beet webworm moths have been noted in some areas of the western prairies this year, which means there is potential for a significant hatch of larvae. Watch for 25-32 mm (1 to 1.3") long larvae or caterpillars which are slender, active and dark green in the early instar stages becoming black as they mature. There are two white or cream-coloured stripes on either side of the centre line of the back, plus two rows of paired circular figures down either side of the back. For a picture of the moth check this link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115749&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=4cd9826c244293e7c07c7146dbb13fb9. For a picture of the larvae check this link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115750&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=448b8126f929c0107b08753d3cea7830

Diamondback moth larvae have damaged crops in southeastern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta, despite the lack of numbers in local diamondback moth traps. Be on the lookout for diamondback as the diamondback traps are not foolproof as an early warning tool. For more information on diamondback moths refer to the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114557&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=167aca6ed3b2f592d959d7cf7681d0e1

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Get out those sweep nets

Start sweeping canola fields after the bud stage to monitor for pests. The sweep net can be a quick way to capture a sample of what, if any, pests are present on plants. However, when it comes to determining if pests are above economic threshold, sweep net counts are only appropriate for cabbage seedpod weevils or lygus bugs. Both of these pests have been observed in areas of Alberta already this year.  First flower is a good time to start more detailed counts, as canola is better at compensating for damage prior to flowering.

Cabbage seedpod weevils have appeared in canola fields throughout southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan as crops are bolting, with some fields in early flower.

Sample for cabbage seedpod weevil adults once the crop first enters the bud stage and continue through flowering. Select 10 locations within each field and at each location count the number of weevils from 10 - 180° sweeps. Sample both the perimeter and interior of the field to obtain an accurate estimate of weevil numbers throughout. For more detailed information on proper sampling techniques, refer to the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115751&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=1ee6a16ad1ef1bb1fbab7145ba89c923.

The economic threshold for the weevil has been lowered this year to two per sweep, or 20 in 10 sweeps, because of higher commodity prices. It is important not to spray too soon, as the weevil will typically continue to invade for at least a week to 10 days beyond the opening of the first flowers. The optimum time to spray for cabbage seedpod weevil is early flowering, or more specifically, when 70% of plants have 3-10 open flowers. Spraying at this stage will allow the weevils more time to move into the field, but it is still early enough to keep them from laying a significant number of eggs in newly forming pods while helping to protect beneficial insects, including pollinators, which have moved into the field.

For more information on the cabbage seedpod weevil, refer to the following link:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115752&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=5ab5deb31463c640afa6ea272127cc61

Higher than usual populations of lygus bugs have also been observed in central Alberta. Sweeping will also be important to monitor for these pests this year. Higher commodity prices means the economic threshold should be lowered accordingly. Check out the following link and scroll down to the scouting techniques section for more information and an updated chart of economic thresholds in canola:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115753&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=8138a573915d701afcb9c9c409c650a6.

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Protect against potential sclerotinia infection

Early flowering is the time for assessing the potential for sclerotinia stem rot infection, starting with scouting for apothecia (small golf tee shaped mushrooms that produce the spores) in fields where susceptible crops (canola, pulses, sunflowers) grew last year.

Soil moisture conditions near field capacity, high humidity in the crop canopy and moderate temperatures (low- to mid-twenties in degrees Celsius), create conditions that are conducive to sclerotinia development. Carefully consider all of the factors highlighted in the sclerotinia stem rot checklist before deciding to apply  fungicide. These factors include how heavy the crop canopy is, the amount of moisture received in the two weeks prior to flowering and potential for future rainfall, years since last host crop, disease incidence in the past, and the presence of apothecia in neighbouring fields where host crops grew previously. Also consider target yield, fertility program and expected value of the canola crop.

A publication called the Canola Disease Identification and Sclerotinia Risk Assessment Card can assist growers and crop scouts with this decision. It includes the stem rot checklist as well as pictures to help accurately identify apothecia of the sclerotinia fungus. A PDF version can be found at http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114561&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=9ac725825a05a0723ea9e5510f12532d or contact your local Canola Council agronomist.

If you choose to apply a fungicide for sclerotinia protection, follow these steps to maximize the efficacy of the product applied:

• Spray when the maximum numbers of flowers are open, but prior to significant pod formation and petal drop. Decaying petals provide the initial food source for spores, and carry those spores down into the crop canopy. For more information on bloom stage identification, click the following link from Bayer, choose canola and click "Why Proline?" Follow the prompts for tips and pictures on identifying bloom stage: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115754&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=62a6d07dacf3e6ec08311c3a59e28557
• Use higher water volumes and appropriate nozzles to ensure good spray coverage. This is especially important in crops with very dense canopies.
• Don’t overestimate bloom stage in stands with uneven maturity, as a significant number of plants hidden in the canopy may not have completed bolting. If more mature plants are starting to drop petals, take into consideration the weather conditions. If conditions have been drier and less conducive to infection, it may be all right to delay a single fungicide application to target an average of 30% bloom. However, if conditions have been wet and odds of significant infection are high, it will be those early infections from the initial petal drop that are likely to do the most damage. Spraying a little early is probably wise.
• Consider split applications, especially in fields with uneven maturity, which will lengthen out the bloom period substantially. For most products registered for split application it is recommended to make the initial application at about 20% bloom, followed by the second application at around 50% bloom if conditions are still conducive to sclerotinia infection.

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Don’t forget to check the roots

If plants are not looking thrifty, dig up a few and check the roots. Root maggots have already been observed in some areas of the Peace region near Peace River and in north central Alberta. They will tend to be more prolific in areas that were wet this spring. Diseases like root rot and clubroot can also cause root damage. A small spray bottle of water can be useful for cleaning off the dirt in order to check for lesions, small galls, root maggot channels or disease symptoms. For further information on root maggots, refer to the root maggot section in the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114556&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=5999aa3e7835df3a1260b56940c4d6fb. For more information on clubroot, check out http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115755&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=e875f031287c2be9bd48a1636a88421f.

For more information on identifying specific pests, check the Canola Growers Manual at http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115756&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=efb2a88543720b17d58a4cdf0e7db729 or the agronomic publications section on the Council website for links to more information on insects and diseases: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115757&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=7a097af26f850c0029f2747b2f31fef1.

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Know what to look for - attend a local crop school

There are several crop diagnostic schools and field training events will take place this summer. For more information or to register, refer to the following list:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114562&q=78689022&lm=11426940&r=100361&qz=4c327410930ae3b5027c1d0063e26744

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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