Canola Watch

2007 Canola Watch Reports

#3 Western Canada – May 16, 2007

In this issue:
(click the bookmark links below to move to specific sections of this report)

Seeding close to wrapping up in some areas
Soil moisture conditions good to excessive
Reports of frost across the west
No panic on seeding delays
Reassess variety suitability
Broadcast seeding
Save seed tags
Localized fertilizer shortages
Good control of early weed growth is key
Canola is emerging; start scouting fields 7-10 days after seeding
Flea beetles reported
Wireworms and cutworms
Clean trucks and equipment to prevent clubroot spread

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 progress continues to vary across the prairies. Furthest advanced are areas of Manitoba including the southwest, central and eastern areas, southwestern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta at about 80-90% complete. Most other regions have also reported some progress in seeding this week, although progress remains slow in northeastern Saskatchewan between Prince Albert and Nipawin, central Alberta from Red Deer to Edmonton and in many parts of the Peace region including Grande Prairie, Rycroft and Falher.

Soil moisture conditions continue to range from good to excessive across most of western Canada. Variable precipitation (from trace to 30 mm) was received across many parts of the west. Areas including northern and northeastern Saskatchewan, central Alberta north of Calgary, and much of the Peace region remain wet with lots of areas of standing water.

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/crprpt070513.asp

Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/WS/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf

Frost was reported in many areas across the west this past week, with some areas reporting lows as cold as -4 degrees C. Damage to emerging canola is reported to be light so far, due to the fact that most crops had not yet emerged. The amount of frost injury will depend on moisture conditions, duration of the frost and coldest temperature reached, rate at which thawing occurs, the growth stage of the plants, and the amount of cold temperature hardening the plants have experienced. Canola seedlings will usually recover from a light spring frost that does not damage the plant’s growing point. A light frost that wilts the leaves, but does not cause any browning, will not severely damage the plants. Some discolouration of the leaves may occur, usually a yellowing or whitening especially under drought conditions.

Remember that a proper assessment of frost damage cannot be made for several days--until it can be determined whether new growth is appearing from damaged plants.
Wait several days following the frost to determine the extent of the damage and whether or not the growing point has been killed. If there is any green colour at the growing point in the centre of the frozen leaf rosette, the plant should recover. Under good growing conditions, green re-growth from the growing point should occur in four to five days. Under poor growing conditions--cold and/or dry--this may take up to 10 days. Refer to the following Canol@Fact “Tips for assessing spring frost damage in canola” for more information:  http://www.canola-council.org/PDF/may5_Canola_AssessingSpring.pdf#zoom=100
Although seeding remains delayed in many areas of Saskatchewan and Alberta compared to the last few years, growers should not be pushing the panic button yet. The combination of good to excellent soil moisture combined with favourable soil temperatures is ideal for rapid and even emergence as long as the proper seeding techniques are used. 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. Apply recommended rates of phosphorus fertilizer for the “pop-up effect” in cooler areas to ensure more uniform crop maturity. Watch seed-placed fertilizer rates, especially if topsoil moisture conditions begin to dry out.
Growers who still have significant acreages of canola left to seed should be reassessing the maturity suitability of their chosen varieties. The accumulation of temperature or Growing Degree Days (GDDs) has a major influence on days to maturity for canola. In the short and mid season zones of western Canada, maturity for B. napus varieties will range from 95 to 125 days, depending on the growing season heat accumulation. B. rapa varieties usually range from 80 to 115 days to maturity.
First, find out how many days to maturity are required for the variety that is to be seeded. Usually the variety will be rated relative to the check variety: number of days earlier (minus), later (plus). Using a typical first fall frost date, count back the days to maturity to estimate the cut-off date for seeding. For example, if the first frost is August 25 on average and maturity of the check in the area is 103 days, counting back gives a cut-off date of May 17. If the variety to be seeded is five days earlier in maturity than the check, this means that in a typical year, seeding up to May 22 would be acceptable for that variety. If the variety does not meet the requirements, ask your local retailer to suggest other suitable varieties.
Manitoba growers can check the following link to determine their frost-free days:http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/climate/waa50s00.html

Alberta growers can check the following link to determine their frost-free days:http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex10

The delay in seeding progress due to wet conditions has producers considering broadcast seeding. 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.

While seeding, producers are encouraged to save the seed tags from bags of canola seed as well as a representative sample of the seed. Using a plastic bag, collect a seed sample from each of the bags or lot numbers and keep the blue tags. Document seeding rate and date seeded. Save the sample in a cool, dry place. This is especially invaluable when trying to assess an emergence or early crop development problem to determine whether the seed might be a contributing factor.
Temporary shortages of fertilizer products including granular ammonium sulphate have been reported in a number of areas. Growers who are unable to access sufficient product at the time of seeding be aware that they have other options. Post emergent top dressing of ammonium sulphate fertilizer has been shown to be effective when applied up to the 4-leaf stage of the crop. Earlier applications generally have greater efficacy due to the increased chances of receiving adequate precipitation for movement of the fertilizer to the crop roots.
Weed growth continues to be prolific in many areas due to the combination of favourable 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. For those growers relying on post-seeding, pre-emergent burn-off applications, keep in mind that many areas are reporting canola emergence within a week of seeding, due to ample moisture and warm soils. Monitor carefully for emergence prior to spraying to avoid crop damage.

In many areas of Manitoba, burn-off products were not applied due to the early seeding and relatively rapid emergence. Consequently, many of these areas have weeds that have emerged before and along with the crop. In these cases it is especially important for growers to do an early in-crop herbicide application. Control of early germinating weeds is important in minimizing moisture and nutrient loss and reducing weed competition to allow establishment of a healthy and competitive crop stand.

Emergence of early seeded canola is occurring in many areas. Remember to begin scouting fields by 7 to 10 days after seeding to detect germination problems early. With ample moisture and warm soils, emergence can begin to take place within a week. Refer to the Canol@Fact “Factors affecting canola survival for seeding to 21 days after emergence” for more information: http://www.canola-council.org/PDF/seed_to_21days.pdf#zoom=100

When scouting fields with any stand establishment problems, check for the presence of the blue seed coat, at or near the root of the seedling or the depth of seeding. This will indicate whether the affected plants are from the current years’ seed, or whether the plants may be volunteers from previous years.

Flea beetles have been reported in Manitoba near Roblin, St. Agathe, Carman and Portage, in Saskatchewan in the Qu’Apelle Valley, and in Alberta near St. Albert. Although most of the reports are on volunteer canola and wild mustard, early seeded fields in these areas are beginning to emerge, so pay particular attention in these cases, especially on fields with tight canola rotations or where no insecticide seed treatment was used. Agronomists are encouraged to note whether the flea beetles are two-striped or cruciferous. Check the following link for help in identifying the different species:  http://www.canola-council.org/fleabeetleident.aspx
If noted, please pass this information on to your local Canola Council agronomist.

Wireworms and cutworms have been observed in parts of southwestern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. Although numbers are low at this point, growers should be on the lookout for these pests. It is important to scout fields where wireworms have been seen or suspected in the past, as they can potentially spend four or more years of their life cycle as larvae in the soil. Wireworms prefer cool, moist soil and tend to be actively mobile in the top 6 inches of the soil. Early in the growing season, they are attracted to the carbon dioxide produced in the germination process and will come to the surface to feed on emerging plants. This is the time when they will cause the most damage to crops, usually by shredding below ground plant tissue. Whole potatoes buried in marked locations in a field in the spring or from early to mid August will indicate whether wireworms are present. Bury the potatoes 10 to 15 cm deep then dig them up after a couple of weeks, and examine them for wireworm tunnels. Another suggested method for using grain bait stations to monitor wireworm is outlined in the following web link from OMAFRA:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub811/6wire.htm#technique

To sample for larvae, sieve the soil through a screen. Mark out areas 50 cm x 50 cm and sieve the soil to a depth of 15 cm (6 inches). Repeat in different areas of the field to determine an average number of larvae per square metre.

• Soil movement is the principal means of clubroot spread, so make sure field equipment and trucks are properly cleaned. Wet conditions around the Edmonton area are likely to result in increased mud and soil on equipment. Growers in the clubroot affected areas of the counties of Sturgeon, Parkland, Leduc and Strathcona should be especially vigilant about cleaning the soil off their equipment before moving from one field to another.

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, Arvel.Lawson@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
Anne Vos, Acting Agronomist, Peace Region, av@summit-ag.com, 780-835-4632
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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