Some canola still at 20-30% bloom

Crop development ranges from 20-30% bloom for late seeded and reseeded crops to the early pod stage for some earlier seeded fields. Crops are most advanced through parts of central and eastern Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. However, parts of west central Alberta and northeastern Saskatchewan are perhaps up to a week behind average in development and need heat to advance.

Many areas received continued showers ranging from a trace up to over 100 mm. There are a number of areas in Manitoba including Ste. Rose, northeast of Swan River and the north Interlake that are suffering from excess moisture. On the other side, the central and western areas of the Peace region continue to be critically dry with yield potential continuing to drop. Areas 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=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=fc4b73d1786d821451d5831490294014

Since April 1, 2008 - http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113407&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=aeaf009a534e1f62b42d2ad54d31ae0d

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=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=a071d3b1e7de145af91252132e5e12d4

The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture is available at:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121110&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=faf8fa21b3f9836633a8f42c72bdf12b

 Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113410&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=5d0728b721be7735a567f40923c1c3ff

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=113411&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=16e8c6b883209c44255512249feb0c48

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Hail

Hail continues to damage crops in many areas of western Canada, usually associated with localized thunderstorms.

Potential yield losses will depend on stage of crop and severity of 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. For a further discussion of mid-season hail damage, refer to last week’s Canola Watch report at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121111&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=9b2bc38959988bbd3732d70e3ed17bcc

More information on hail damage is available at the following link:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114554&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=53361e6b9055ab44702f71db07a75951

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Root maggots still an issue

Root maggots continue to affect canola crops throughout most of the parkland region of Saskatchewan and the irrigated area around Outlook, central and southern Alberta, and the north Peace region, with isolated reports from Manitoba as well. For a more detailed discussion of root maggots, refer to the July 10 Canola Watch report at:  http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=119448&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=65329a20fbfa007c6645d94364341b13

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Diamondback moth larvae

Diamondback moth larvae have been noted near Rosetown SK, with numbers of up to four per plant, which has necessitated spraying. Be on the lookout for diamondback as we reach the early podding stage because the diamondback traps are not foolproof as an early warning tool. Thresholds for spraying are 10-15 per square foot at early flowering and increase to 20-30 per square foot at pod ripening. Because of higher crop values this year using numbers at the lower end of the range is likely more appropriate, especially in areas where early leaf drop forces the larvae up to feed on pods. For more information on diamondback moths refer to the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114557&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=0a62097baea60ff4a3da36a0bea8e11b

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Bertha numbers increasing

There are a number of locations in Saskatchewan where bertha armyworm moth counts in traps are increasing to concerning levels. These include several hot spots north of Regina as well as an area between Prince Albert and Tisdale. Control for bertha armyworm occurs at the larval stage, usually when the larvae begin feeding on pods. Spraying for moths is not an effective control method and will likely do more harm by destroying beneficial insects in the crop. For further information regarding bertha armyworm, go to the bertha armyworm section on the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=114556&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=4a7825524adad117417070b0d4f1cb80

Prairie-wide bertha armyworm moth maps are being developed, and links for each province are as follows: 

Manitoba (MAFRI): http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121112&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=e3adf1b38a0f67c6eaa0381259b7a27a

Saskatchewan (SAFRR): http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121113&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=4868a9b20f44266a725bf3d653c9c900

Alberta (AARD):  http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121114&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=229c4a5363ef664cbdb93ae54ebe29a1

Moth numbers represented in the maps at these links are cumulative. In other words, moth numbers reported in each period are added, and the total to date is reported. Trap counts are still being collected and added to the maps. For areas still showing low risk, it is important to keep checking for updates because those numbers may still increase.

These maps are an indication of risk in a region.  Field scouting is still required to ensure economic damage does not occur in individual fields.

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Lygus also appearing

High numbers of lygus bugs at up to two per sweep have been noted in the east Peace region near McLennan. Adult lygus are pale green to reddish brown and black, with a "V" mark one-third of the way down the back.  Young nymphs are pale green and resemble aphids, but they have five small black dots on their backs and no cornicles.  Lygus cause damage by feeding on leaves, stems, flowers and pods, resulting in flower blasting and shrivelled seeds. The economic thresholds are about 4-15 lygus per 10 sweeps depending on crop stage, crop price and the cost of control. For more information on lygus bugs, including a more detailed threshold table, refer to the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=115753&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=5cbbca6e865334846486a1bf1c2ab197

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Grasshoppers in southwestern SK

Grasshopper numbers have been building in some areas, including southwestern Saskatchewan. Some farmers have sprayed for hoppers in lentils. Although economic threshold levels are much lower for lentils than for canola, be on the lookout for potential damage from grasshoppers, especially as they usually appear at field edges and in ditches. Remember there are many species of grasshoppers, and only a few are regarded as pest species, so make sure proper identification is done at scouting. For more information on identifying pest species of grasshoppers, go to the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121115&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=5214c900a14a1c6de657cb5adc57f84b

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Revised insect thresholds in light of higher crop prices

Due to higher commodity prices, a committee of provincial entomologists has put together revised thresholds for several insects. A link outlining those revisions is available at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=117988&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=9910bcdf3b2d1248194981717a48ab8a

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Blackleg in Manitoba

Blackleg symptoms have appeared on canola in a number of fields in Manitoba, even in varieties rated "R" for blackleg resistance. Most of these fields are in short rotations. Newer strains of blackleg have been identified in the past few years, and agronomists and growers should note which fields are exhibiting increased symptoms to help reevaluate rotations. Also note which varieties are most affected to see if patterns develop, so it’s possible to work with seed suppliers in the future to choose the best possible sources of blackleg resistance.

For pictures of symptoms of blackleg (and other canola diseases) check out our image library: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=121116&q=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=1b2b658641aa39161e0747411b6521ca

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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 away from canola bins

As growers prepare bins for storage of the upcoming harvest, it is important to note that oilseed crops like canola can absorb malathion from bin surfaces, and the resulting residues have been found in crop delivered to elevators. 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=81276029&lm=11426940&r=104097&qz=fb659a171c8012a2d0f9b4179e4966ba

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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