Canola seeding just starting

Canola seeding has begun in only a few areas of western Canada, mostly south of the TransCanada highway in all three provinces. The majority of seeding to date occurred before the widespread snow of the previous week. Most field work has been preparations such as rock picking and harrowing, soil sampling and fertilizer application. Some areas report seeding of peas and wheat, but generally canola seeding is not expected until next week.

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Soil moisture poor to excellent

Soil moisture conditions across western Canada range from poor to excellent. Pockets of dryness remain in southern Saskatchewan and in the Coronation to Castor area of central Alberta.

For current maps of moisture conditions from PFRA, check the following link:

http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpay08_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.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/crprpt080427

Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at:

http://www.environment.alberta.ca/forecasting/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf

http://www.environment.alberta.ca/forecasting/data/precipmaps/monthly.pdf

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Soil remains cool

Soil temperatures are generally quite cool for this time of year due to cooler than normal weather over most of the past month. As well, weather forecasts for the end of the week in most areas indicate colder than normal weather, with lows down to -10˚C.

Many areas, such as northeastern Saskatchewan, have some wet soils due to moisture received last fall, as well as good winter precipitation. Growers need to be vigilant in timing spring tillage to reduce potential damage from lumps, clodding and compaction of soils that are worked too early.

Soil testing more important than ever

Soil testing is more important this year. Many areas experienced good to excellent crop yields last year, drawing down available nutrients. Growers need to do a proper soil test to determine levels of available nutrients, especially in light of record fertilizer prices. And they need to understand the recommendation philosophy of their chosen soil test lab as it relates to their specific nutrient recommendations. For further background information on the importance of soil testing and on recommendation philosophies, refer to the following links:

http://www.canola-council.org/canola_resources/product38.aspx

http://www.ipni.net/ppiweb/ppibase.nsf/$webindex/article=46031E8B852569E00074B3408B503939

For further information on crop nutrition and tailoring soil test results into fertilizer recommendations, refer to the following link from MAFRI: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/soilwater/soilfert/fbd02s00.html

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Pre-seeding burnoff sets up a good start

Growers are strongly encouraged to assess the number, growth stage and types of weeds present prior to pre-seeding burnoff applications. This will help determine the proper product or tank-mix as well as the correct rate. Control of early germinating weeds is important in minimizing moisture and nutrient loss and reducing competition to allow establishment of a healthy and competitive crop stand. For more information on pre-seeding weed control, refer to the following link from Reduced Tillage Linkages: http://reducedtillage.ca/article63.aspx

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Seeding tips

Although soil moisture conditions are favourable in many areas, growers need to ensure they seed shallow to facilitate rapid emergence. The ideal depth is ½ to ¾ of an inch. Make sure soil temperatures are at least 5 °C when averaged over the coolest and warmest parts of the day. Cool soil temperatures will slow emergence, putting seedlings at more risk from seedling diseases and flea beetles. As well, protection from most seed treatments starts when the seeds are first put into the ground, not when the plants emerge. Therefore, the longer the seeds are in the ground, the shorter the duration of insecticide protection following emergence. Keep any pre-seeding tillage shallow to help maintain the seedbed firmness and moisture. Make sure seeding rates are high enough to establish the target of 7-14 plants/ft².

Refer to the following Canol@Fact sheets for further information on establishing proper plant populations:

Early Seeding Tips - http://www.canola-council.org/canola_resources/product24.aspx

Plant Populations for Profitability – http://www.canola-council.org/canola_resources/product34.aspx

As well, apply recommended rates of seed-placed phosphorus fertilizer for the faster pop-up effect in cooler areas and to assist in hastening crop maturity in the fall.

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Ten-day germination check

Some areas of southeastern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan have had canola seeded for over two weeks. You may question the viability of the seed, especially under recent cold conditions. Even if surface emergence is not apparent, scrape back the soil and find the seeds. The condition of the seeds can help determine the cause of poor germination. Hard seeds are probably an indication that conditions have been too dry and/or cold to facilitate germination. Unless most of the seeds are soft and seed decay is taking place, additional moisture and/or warmer temperatures may be all that is needed to correct the problem.

If the seed coat is cracked, note the structure of the developing seedling. Seedling turgidity is a function of the emerging hypocotyl remaining rigid and having enough moisture to push through the soil surface. The healthy emerging hypocotyl will be firm and white in colour. If moisture in the seeding zone runs out during emergence, the hypocotyl will dry out and discolour, often turning brown and wilted. This phenomenon is common in areas where soil surface moisture has dried out due to wind or lack of rainfall. The result is patchy emergence. It is often misdiagnosed as a seedling disease complex such as damping off. Cool, dry soil conditions are often the main culprit for poor emergence due to lack of seedling turgidity.

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Make sure varieties are Canola Export Ready

With a few last-minute seeding decisions still to be made, it is imperative that growers do not seed any de-registered varieties that may impact export markets. Refer to the Canola Council of Canada website for more information on the Canola Export Ready program and which varieties and pesticides are not approved for use in Canada.

http://www.canola-council.org/export_ready.html

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Questions & Contacts

Direct questions regarding this report to John Mayko, Agronomic Research & Extension Manager 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 regional agronomists or provincial oilseed specialists:

Derwyn Hammond, Agronomy Specialist, Manitoba, hammondd@canola-council.org,
204-729-9011 Ingrid Kristjanson, Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives, Ingrid.Kristjanson@gov.mb.ca,
204 746-7504
David Vanthuyne, Agronomy Specialist, Eastern Saskatchewan, vanthuyd@canola-council.org, 306-946-3588

Jim Bessel, Senior Agronomy Specialist, North-central/eastern Saskatchewan, besselj@canola-council.org, 306-373-677
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, Agronomy Specialist, Parkland East (East Central AB & NW SK),
moiseyd@canola-council.org, 780-645-3624
Matthew Stanford, Agronomy Specialist, Chinook (Southern AB & SW SK),
stanfordm@canola-council.org, 403-327-4832
Erin Brock, Agronomy Specialist, Peace Region, brocke@canola-council.org, 780-568-3326
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; Cargill; 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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