Crop conditions anywhere from poor to excellent

Crop development ranges from early flowering for late-seeded and reseeded crops to the final flower-early pod stage for some earlier seeded fields.

Many areas received showers ranging from trace amounts to over 50 mm. However, the Interlake area of Manitoba received up to 150 mm in some locations, causing moisture stress in many fields. Meanwhile, central and western areas of the Peace region remain critically dry with yield potential continuing to drop. Parts of southwestern Manitoba are also quite dry and in need of rain.

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=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=70e110b15ca10171fd138815bfd4cb28

Since April 1, 2008 - http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113407&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=b82ecb3dc35723bab90569b725753a2f

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=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=f10439b7265caec1b6ad0001b85a1e66

The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture is available at:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=119447&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=9f60d711d229a0e5382021a33ff14157

 Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113410&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=5c92c9df89ffebf9ec79fa9f62a5a097

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113411&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=9cde95278375ce1359779499b401e99b

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Dealing with excess moisture

Waterlogging is a problem in regions that received excessive rain, especially in heavier textured soils and low lying areas. Canola is more tolerant of saturated conditions at the seed filling stage than earlier in its development, but expect some yield impact. For more information on damage from excess water, refer to the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113412&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=53c78bbb26dc702bd05d5f8cf70d4c62

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Widespread hail

Severe hail hit crops in western Manitoba near Oak River, Bradwardine, Miniota, Elkhorn and Ethelbert; in Saskatchewan near Yorkton, Kandahar, Elfros, Kuroki and Kamsack; and in Alberta near Lethbridge, Vulcan, Beiseker, Torrington and Eckville.

Potential yield losses will depend on crop stage and severity of the damage. In addition to physical injury, hail damage allows a point of entry for diseases such as sclerotinia stem rot, alternaria black spot, and blackleg to infect canola plants.

Many people wonder about applying crop enhancement products such as fertilizer and micronutrient blends or fungicides on hail-damaged crops. There is little data available on the efficacy of such products, so treat a limited area and leave appropriate check strips in order to accurately measure yield at harvest. Fungicides may help reduce the development of diseases such as sclerotinia, blackleg and alternaria, but make sure the remaining yield potential warrants protection and conditions remain conducive to disease development. Leave check strips to evaluate the effectiveness at the end of the season. Further information on hail damage is available at the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114554&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=70a18cd671506790fe378b051eaded79

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Root maggots continue to chew

Root maggots continue to be found in many parts of central and north central Saskatchewan, central and southern Alberta, and the north Peace region. For a more detailed discussion of root maggots, refer to last week’s Canola Watch report at:  http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=119448&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=52b5c075c8fa9a331ab20539e34453bc

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Cabbage seedpod weevils abating

Spraying for cabbage seedpod weevils in southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan is winding down with lower weevil numbers found in many later crops. Earlier crops are also past the appropriate crop stage for spraying.

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Diamondback moths

Damage from diamondback moth larvae ("window-paning") has been noted in parts of southern Saskatchewan near Moose Jaw and Regina and parts of southeastern Saskatchewan, despite the lack of numbers in local diamondback moth traps. Be on the lookout for diamondback as canola reaches the early podding stage because 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=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=ff37f31ddd9885775f6f0d04a738e35b

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Swede midge found near Yorkton

Swede midge has been found by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency near Yorkton, SK. This is one of the areas where swede midge appeared last year. Swede midge affects canola as well as many other crucifer crops including vegetables. Although it is a new pest to western Canada, growers and agronomists should become familiar with the plant damage symptoms as some of the symptoms are similar to other unrelated agronomic factors such as herbicide residues, frost, drought and other insects. For more information on identifying swede midge, refer to the following websites:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=119449&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=466266ccd1a99056c2cdb11bdaabd61a

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=119450&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=101a9feab2a15ae8c6788f8625df39d9

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=119451&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=d100f5fb5c8e023dade3caa654ed3dbc

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Crop prices increase, insect thresholds decrease

Due to higher commodity prices, a committee of provincial entomologists has put together revised economic thresholds for several insects. See those revisions at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=117988&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=c9fe764db61739d71affe0f0676b590b

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To spray or not to spray for sclerotinia?

Many growers are trying to determine whether spraying for sclerotinia is warranted, especially since areas that were once dry have received moisture in the past week. However, growers should remember that soil moisture conditions and crop canopy humidity must remain high for several days before sclerotinia apothecia develop. As well, earlier seeded crops in many areas are past the 50% bloom stage with significant petal fall having already occurred. Carefully consider all factors in the sclerotinia stem rot checklist before applying a fungicide. These include: heaviness of the crop canopy; 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 is available to assist growers and crop scouts with this decision. It includes the stem rot checklist and pictures to aid in accurately identifying the apothecia of the sclerotinia fungus. A PDF version can be found at http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114561&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=5374271683a25ada239a217645ecaba4 or contact your local Canola Council agronomist.

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Sulphur deficiencies showing up

A number of reports of sulphur deficiency have been reported in areas of central and eastern Saskatchewan that experienced heavier rains. Most reports have occurred on rolling land with deficiencies showing up on the mid and upper parts of slopes. These deficiencies are likely the result of heavier rains washing soluble sulphate beyond the immediate root zone. Since the majority of these crops are well into bloom, it is doubtful that a top dressing application would be effective. It will take some time and more precipitation to wash the fertilizer into the root zone. If symptoms persist, a more effective practice for those interested in remedying the symptoms might be to apply a foliar product. However, specific products and rates should be appropriate to reduce the chances of leaf burn.

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Continue regular scouting

Scout fields on a regular basis to detect crop development problems early. Consider establishing a tramline by driving an ATV in an X or W pattern in the field to establish pathways for crop scouting. This will allow for easier scouting with minimal trampling at later crop stages.

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Keep malathion out of canola bins

At this time of the year, as growers prepare bins for storage of harvested grain, note that oilseed crops like canola can absorb malathion from bin surfaces, and the resulting residues have been found in seed delivered to elevators. Therefore, DO NOT use malathion to treat bins destined to store canola from the upcoming harvest. Refer to the following link for further information: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=119452&q=80430947&lm=11426940&r=102762&qz=9989fd8df0ac363b01a75e86c64ee584

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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

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