Canola Watch
2007 Canola Watch Reports
Canola Watch Report No. 1, 2007
Western Canada – May 2, 2007
In this issue:
(click the bookmark links below to move to specific sections of this report)
Manitoba canola growers lead seeding progress
Soil moisture conditions fair to excessive
Soil temperatures generally good
Growers urged to soil test
Good control of early weed growth is key
Check previous herbicide use on fields planned for canola
Do not seed deregistered canola varieties
Seed shallow at rates to establish target plant populations
Broadcast seed only in emergency situations
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
Canola seeding has begun in earnest across many areas of southwestern,
central and eastern Manitoba as well as in southern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. Some areas of south central Manitoba report up to
40% of the canola acres seeded. Seeding has started in some western parts of Saskatchewan near Kindersley, Rosetown and North Battleford,
as well as parts of eastern Alberta near Coronation. But most of the rest of the areas are still wet and awaiting drying conditions before seeding
can start. These areas are several days to over a week away from seeding, even with favourable weather. The majority of fieldwork to date in
these areas has been field preparation such as rock picking, harrowing, soil sampling and fertilizer application.
Soil moisture conditions range from fair to excessive across western Canada. Topsoil in parts of central, eastern
and the Interlake regions of Manitoba, as well as southeastern Saskatchewan are getting dry, especially with recent drying winds. However, many other areas
including northern and northeastern Saskatchewan, central Alberta north of Calgary, and most of the Peace region remain wet from the combination of heavy
winter snowfall, slow spring melt, and recent rainfall throughout parts of central Alberta and northern Saskatchewan.
For current maps of moisture conditions from PFRA for western Canada, check the following links for precipitation since September 1 and April 1 respectively:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpay07_e.htm
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpgs07_e.htm
The latest crop report from Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives is available at:
http://web2.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/mwcr/index.php
The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization is available at:
http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/reports/crop_report/crprpt070430.asp
Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/WS/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf
Soil temperatures are generally good for this time of year in most areas of the prairies due
to the seasonable temperatures in most regions over the past couple of weeks. Data collected from the Canola Council CPC trials has shown
that allowing the soil to warm to at least 5 degrees C before seeding will encourage the crop to emerge quickly and more evenly. Quick, even
emergence can help reduce problems throughout the growing season, from seedling disease to uniformity of maturity at harvest.
Soil testing is even more important this year. Many areas experienced
record or near record crop yields last year for the second year in a row, drawing down the levels of available nutrients, especially nitrogen. As well,
wet conditions in many areas over the fall, winter and spring may have led to nitrogen losses from de-nitrification. More than ever, growers need
to do a proper soil test to determine levels of available nutrients especially in light of record fertilizer prices. Growers should
soil test for nitrogen this spring to determine their soil nitrogen status at various depths in the soil profile. For further background information on
the importance of spring soil testing, refer to the following Canol@Fact:
http://www.canola-council.org/PDF/Canola_Fact_Sheet_Oct27.pdf
Winter annual weeds and volunteer canola are showing up in many areas due to the combination of
favorable moisture conditions and reasonable soil temperatures. Growers are strongly encouraged to assess the number, growth stage and types
of weeds present prior to burn-off applications. This will assist in determining the proper product or tank-mix as well as the rate that may be required.
CleanStart® from Nufarm, a newly registered product containing carfentrazone + glyphosate, can be a useful tool in controlling Roundup
Ready canola volunteers prior to a canola or pulse crop. Control of early germinating weeds is important in minimizing moisture and nutrient loss
and reducing crop competition to establish a healthy and competitive crop stand. For more information on early season weed control, refer to the
following web-link from Reduced Tillage Linkages:
http://reducedtillage.ca/docs/Pre-seed%20Weed%20Control%20revised%20April%202007.PDF
Herbicide rotations need to be monitored for potential residual problems, especially in
areas where dry soils are reported, and growing season precipitation was low last year. Look back at least two years to see what herbicide
rotation has occurred. Potential problems may occur with repeated use of Group 2 herbicides. If there is a risk of herbicide carryover in
a field, consider growing a less susceptible crop.
Make sure seeded canola varieties are Canola Export Ready – It is imperative that growers do not seed any deregistered
varieties that may impact export markets. Refer to the Canola Council of Canada website link for more information on the Canola Export Ready
program and on which varieties and pesticides are not approved for use in Canada:
http://www.canola-council.org/seed/export-ready/export-ready.shtml
Proper seeding depth and seeding rates are key for crop establishment.
Although soil moisture conditions are favorable in most areas, growers need to ensure they seed shallow
to facilitate rapid emergence, ideally at a depth of ½ to ¾ of an inch. Keep any pre-seeding tillage shallow to help maintain the seedbed
firmness and moisture. Make sure that seeding rates are high enough to establish the target of 7-14 plants/ft2. Watch your
seed-placed fertilizer rates, especially if topsoil moisture conditions continue to dry out. Refer to the attached Canol@Fact
(plant_pop_profit.pdf) for further information on establishing proper plant populations and to the attached
Canol@Fact (Canola_Charts.pdf) for tables estimating plant populations under different survival levels.
As well, apply recommended rates of phosphorus fertilizer for the “pop-up effect” in cooler areas to ensure more uniform crop maturity.
Broadcast seeding may be tempting with the delay in seeding progress due to wet weather. In general,
broadcast seeding is not recommended. Usually, broadcast seeding results in lower yields compared to drill seeding. However, producers faced with wet
conditions that limit equipment flotation plus the risk of fall frost may wish to consider broadcast seeding. Here are some tips for enhancing the success
of broadcast seeding.
- Increase seeding rates slightly to compensate for non-uniform seed depth.
- Consider lightly cultivating (2-4 cm) or harrowing to incorporate the seed into the soil if soil conditions allow.
- Avoid creating lumps or clods during cultivation or straw piles with harrows or cultivators.
-
If broadcasting fertilizer as well as seed, be aware that broadcast phosphorus is only about half as efficient as banded
phosphorous. There can also be greater risk of denitrification on saturated soils or volatilization from improper fertilizer
incorporation, reducing N fertilizer efficiency. Adjust fertilizer rates accordingly, keeping in mind a realistic target yield
based on the time of year and field conditions.
Direct questions regarding this report to John Mayko, Senior Agronomist, Parkland West (West Central AB),
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 agronomists or provincial oilseed specialists:
Derwyn Hammond, Agronomist, Manitoba, hammondd@canola-council.org, 204-729-9011
Arvel Lawson, Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives, alawson@gov.mb.ca, 204-745-0340
David Vanthuyne, Agronomist, Eastern Saskatchewan, vanthuyd@canola-council.org, 306-782-7799
Jim Bessel, Senior Agronomist, North-central/eastern Saskatchewan, besselj@canola-council.org, 306-373-6771
Penny Pearse/Scott Hartley, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization, ppearse@agr.gov.sk.ca /
shartley@agr.gov.sk.ca , 306-787-4671 / 306-787-4669
Doug Moisey, Agronomist, Parkland East (East Central AB & NW SK), moiseyd@canola-council.org, 780-645-3624
Matthew Stanford, Agronomist, Chinook (Southern AB & SW SK), stanfordm@canola-council.org, 403-758-6660
Murray Hartman, Alberta Agriculture, Food & 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; Manitoba Canola Growers Association; Agricore United; Saskatchewan Wheat Pool; United
Farmers of Alberta; Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization; Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association;
Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission; Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development; Alberta Canola Producers
Commission; BC Ministry of Agriculture; Food & Fisheries; and the Canola Council of Canada.
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