Seeding progresses across West

Many areas reported good seeding progress this past week. Completion rates vary from virtually done in parts of eastern and southern Manitoba, southern Saskatchewan, southern and east-central Alberta near Coronation, to 30% complete in parts of the eastern Peace River region.

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Some seeding still waiting for moisture

Some areas in northwestern and southeastern Manitoba and the eastern Peace River region received up to 25 mm, but many other areas reported only scattered showers. Continued dryness remains in southwestern Manitoba, parts of southern Saskatchewan, and the Coronation to Castor area of central Alberta. Lack of rainfall continues to delay canola seeding in parts of southwestern Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan.

For current maps of moisture conditions from Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), check the following link:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=105086&q=73280289&lm=11426940&r=92889&qz=a7f064e04d9fed00580c8f2400d2946a

The latest crop report from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) is available at: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=105087&q=73280289&lm=11426940&r=92889&qz=457a71e30153095f8b65c76f7b5dd61c

The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture is available at:

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=106777&q=73280289&lm=11426940&r=92889&qz=ea75bd3eaa98b18c397e9ef2507580a9

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

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=106778&q=73280289&lm=11426940&r=92889&qz=74e625a173816eee7e46af864744bf6b

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=106779&q=73280289&lm=11426940&r=92889&qz=a236d3ce20edd475028719966a5c188a

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Frost damage likely minimal

Some areas of Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan reported light frosts as temperatures dropped down to -2°C.  Damage to emerging canola is likely to be minimal due to most of the crop not having emerged yet and the light amount of frost. Remember: a proper assessment of frost damage can’t be made for several days, until it can be determined if new growth is appearing on damaged plants.

For more information on assessing frost damaged canola, refer to the Canol@Fact "Tips for assessing spring frost damage in canola": http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=106780&q=73280289&lm=11426940&r=92889&qz=4d9bd187b5aad3c76f3c0d0fb2ea4d77

Also, allow plants to recover somewhat before applying herbicide. Spray in the heat of the day instead of in the morning immediately following a frost, or in the evening prior to a high risk of frost.

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Check crop emergence

Crop emergence has started in most areas on fields seeded earlier in the month. Remember to begin scouting fields by 7-10 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.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=106781&q=73280289&lm=11426940&r=92889&qz=8ce9c0528611e98c7247372cd2aa27a0

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 year’s seed, or whether the plants may be volunteers from previous years.

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Wild winds delay spraying

Most areas have reported nasty winds. These winds have not only made working outdoors miserable, but they have also delayed spraying burn-off herbicides, caused some "sand-blasting" of newly emerged canola, and drifted soil into seed row furrows, effectively burying the seed deeper. Use the same guidelines for assessing sand-blasted canola as for spring frost damage. Wait several days to determine whether or not new growth is appearing from the growing point of the seedling.

If you missed the pre-seed burnoff application, make sure that there is no growth of susceptible canola varieties before applying a post-seed burnoff.

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Fertilizer shortages

Temporary shortages of fertilizer products have been reported in a number of areas, with the most common shortages involving ammonium sulphate and anhydrous ammonia. Growers who are unable to access sufficient fertilizer products at the time of seeding have other options.

Post-emergent top dressing of ammonium sulphate or dribble banding of liquid fertilizer has been shown to be effective when applied up to the 4-leaf stage of the crop. Earlier applications are generally more effective because they have a better chance of receiving adequate precipitation to move the fertilizer to the roots. Use the proper type of application equipment based on the form of fertilizer being applied to ensure even distribution when broadcasting.

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Watch for flea beetles

Flea beetles continue to appear on cruciferous weeds, volunteer canola and early emerging canola near Saskatoon, in central Alberta near St. Albert, and in some parts of the Peace region. Watch continuously for flea beetle activity on the newly emerging crop. Don’t assume that flea beetle activity is low because of cool weather. Striped flea beetles are known to be more active than crucifer flea beetles under cool conditions. For more information on identifying flea beetles, refer to the following link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=105094&q=73280289&lm=11426940&r=92889&qz=3b10502d91a97841a243d42528a197b0

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Appearance of cutworms calls for scouting

Cutworms are showing up in parts of southwestern Saskatchewan, southern Alberta and central Alberta near Leduc. Given the size of the cutworms in some reports, it appears that many of these are army or dingy cutworms that overwinter as larvae. Be especially vigilant in areas that had cutworm damage last year. Check the edges of bare areas for wilted, dead or cut-off plants (weed or crop seedlings). Dig around the roots of these plants for cutworms.

Use a garden trowel and a soil sifter to collect cutworm larvae. Cutworms may be found in dry surface soil down to about 5 cm (2") below the surface. The small, worm-like larvae curl up or attempt to hide in the debris. Cutworm control may only be necessary in small areas of the field, when bare patches appear and many are still actively feeding. Be sure to note the size of the larvae. Large specimens (over 25 mm long) will soon stop feeding and pupate, and are more difficult to kill. If cutworms are still small and numerous enough to warrant control, apply one of the registered insecticides.

Apply surface treatments in the evening, preferably under warm, moist conditions, because cutworms are active at night and these treatments will only control surface-feeding larvae. Do not disturb the soil for five days after treatment. Also refer to the Canol@Fact on cutworms: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=106782&q=73280289&lm=11426940&r=92889&qz=2075b5c1fc5f286bcbcf85deea1e5ad4

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Wireworms also appearing

Growers in parts of southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan have reported the presence of wireworms. Although registered seed treatments are available for cereal crops, seed treatments are not effective in canola, and there are no other rescue treatments available. It is important to scout fields where wireworms have been seen or suspected in the past, as they can 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 when they will cause the most damage to crops, usually by shredding below ground plant tissue. For a suggested method of monitoring for wireworms using grain bait stations or potatoes, go to the following OMAFRA link: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=106783&q=73280289&lm=11426940&r=92889&qz=c04c8e99adc5fd7205d223cb0f83be88

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. If wireworms are found to have significant populations on a particular field, do not plant canola there. No chemical controls for wireworms are registered in canola.

Anyone who suspects the presence of wireworms, please submit wireworms samples to a provincial facility for species identification:

Manitoba

Crop Diagnostic Centre

Room 201, 545 University Crescent

Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S6

Saskatchewan

Insects Delivered In Person:

Crop Protection Lab 

346 McDonald Street 

Regina, SK

If Sending By Mail:

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Room 125, 3085 Albert Street

Regina, SK  S4N 0A1

Alberta

Ag Info Centre

Postal Bag 600

Stettler, AB  T0C 2L0

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Seeking help with insect monitoring

Provincial entomology specialists are getting ready to set up monitoring traps for bertha armyworms and diamondback moths. If you are interested in assisting with setup, monitoring and reporting, please contact the specialist in your province: Manitoba: John Gavloski, (204) 745-5668, John.Gavloski@gov.mb.ca; Saskatchewan: Scott Hartley,  (306) 787-4669, scott.hartley@gov.sk.ca Alberta: Scott Meers, (403) 362-1366, scott.meers@gov.ab.ca  BC: Kerry Clark, (250) 784-2559, Kerry.Clark@gov.bc.ca

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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