Canola Quick Facts
Canola Facts: Sustainable Production Through Integrated Pest Management
Here are some key facts on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) on the farm
Canola growers are well on their way to using IPM on their farms, according to a study commissioned by the Canola Council of Canada.
IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, genetic, physical and
chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environment risks.
Examples of IPM practises that canola growers are using include:
- three- to four-year rotations and planting canola following beneficial crops;
- using pedigreed seed;
- using treated seed;
- shallow tillage for weed control just prior to seeding; and
- rotating herbicides to avoid pest resistance.
Pesticides, including herbicides, fungicides and insecticides, are used only when necessary.
As canola is a small-seeded crop that is not competitive in early spring, most growers use
herbicides for weed control (94%). However, with the increasing use of herbicide-tolerant
canola, herbicide use is decreasing as growers are able to use herbicides more efficiently.
Growers use disease-resistant varieties to manage diseases like blackleg and, therefore,
fungicide use is low. Only 15 % of growers used a fungicide. Insects are sprayed when they
exceed economic thresholds and only 11% of growers apply insecticides.
Canola growers use pesticides responsibly:
- 32% of growers use licensed custom applicators to apply pesticides on their farms;
- 74% of growers calibrate their sprayers at least once a year; and
- 15% apply lower than label rates.
The Canola Council provides pest management information to growers through a weekly in-season
e-bulletin called "Canola Watch", articles in the Canola Digest, an Insect
Identification and Scouting Card, other publications and an IPM journal.
Canola does not contain harmful pesticide residues. The Canadian Grain Commission Grain Safety
Monitoring shows that pesticide residues are rarely found in canola.
November 1, 2005
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