Canola Watch

2006 Canola Watch Reports

Canola Watch Report No. 8 Western Canada – June 14, 2006

In this issue:
(click the bookmarked links below to move to specific sections of this report)

The Alberta Canola Producers Commission (ACPC) has developed an Alberta focused version of this report. Visit the ACPC website at: http://www.canola.ab.ca


Canola seeding continued this past week in parts of northern and east-central Saskatchewan and north-western Manitoba. However, significant areas originally planned for canola remain unseeded and are unlikely to be completed this spring. Wet field conditions continue to limit seeding progress in these areas.

For growers still considering seeding canola, reevaluate the maturity of the chosen varieties. Growers should switch to early maturing B. napus (Argentine) varieties or B. rapa (Polish) varieties. Although the overall yield potential of these varieties is less than the higher yielding, later varieties when seeded at normal dates, the yield benefit generally decreases as seeding is delayed. As well, the economic risk of potential downgrading from a fall frost is probably more significant than the reduction in yield potential of earlier varieties. Refer to the following links from the provincial crop insurance companies for their respective seeding deadlines:
http://www.masc.mb.ca/masc_ins.nsf/webpages_deadlines.html?OpenPage&charset=iso-8859-1
http://www.saskcropinsurance.com/cicalendar/index6.shtml

Soil moisture conditions continue to range from fair to excessive across western Canada. Precipitation this past week ranged from trace amounts to over 75 mm. Areas of east-central and northern Saskatchewan and the Peace region near Fairview, Rycroft and Falher remain wet. However the BC Peace region is becoming dry with the lack of recent rain. Although not critically low, rainfall will be needed soon, especially as crop growth of early seeded fields approaches the late rosette and early bolting stages.

For current maps of moisture conditions from PFRA for western Canada, check the following links for precipitation from September 1 to June 12 and April 1 to June 12 respectively:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpay06_e.htm
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpgs06_e.htm
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/pa_e.htm

The latest crop report from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives is available at:
http://web2.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/mwcr/

The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization is available at:
http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/reports/crop_report/crprpt060611.pdf

Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/WS/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf

Crop development remains good to excellent in most areas. Heavy weed growth continues in most areas, due to warm temperatures, good moisture, and the lack of pre-emergent burn-off applications in some cases. This rapid growth combined with spraying delays due to rains and wet fields is creating problems in some areas. In addition, variable crop emergence especially in later seeded or re-seeded crops has lead to challenges regarding assessing the proper time for herbicide application. Frequent scouting remains important to assess the number and types of weeds present as well as their growth stage.

Ensure the proper rate and product(s) are used to control the required weed spectrum. Also, in areas affected by extreme weather (either very wet or dry conditions) ensure that the herbicide rate chosen is appropriate to allow good crop tolerance and adequate control of target weeds. In addition, growers who may be pressed for time due to spraying delays should not forget proper handling techniques including proper sprayer cleanout protocols when changing chemicals as well as wearing proper protective clothing.

For more information on current product recommendations, check the following links from the provincial governments for their respective Crop Protection Guides:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/cropproduction/gaa01d01.html
http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/DOCS/crops/cropguide00.asp
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex32?opendocument

Early seeded crops in many areas have received their first herbicide pass and growers are considering a second application. Prior to automatically applying the second herbicide pass, first consider whether or not the second pass is warranted given the remaining weed pressure. Also, if the canola canopy is starting to reach complete ground cover, the herbicide may not reach targeted weeds. Growers are cautioned when applying late first applications or the second applications of herbicides when the crop is in the bud stage; late spraying could potentially lead to crop stress and blanks on the main stem.

Refer to the Council’s June 1/06 media release, ‘Use economic thresholds to make weed control decisions in canola’ at http://www.canola-council.org/about-us/media-news/media-releases/media-jun0106.html for further information on evaluating the need for a second herbicide application. Also, refer to the following Canol@Fact: ‘How many weeds are too many?’ http://www.canola-council.org/PDF/May24_How_Many_Weeds.pdf and ‘Timing is critical to proper weed control in canola’ http://www.canola-council.org/growing_publications.html

Remember to keep scouting fields on a regular basis to detect crop development problems early. Consider establishing a scouting 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 at later crop stages, especially once the crop is blooming.

Wirestem has been reported in north-central Alberta on later seeded fields near Vermilion and St. Albert. Refer to the following link for more background information on seedling diseases: http://www.canola-council.org/seedlingdisease.aspx

If you’re encountering stand establishment problems, we encourage you to refer to the following diagnostic template on our website: http://www.canola-council.org/growing_poor_stand.html

Please fill out this form and return via email according to the instructions outlined on the webpage.

Flea beetles continue to be reported in parts of northwestern Manitoba, southeastern Saskatchewan, and in north-central Alberta along fields close to the North Saskatchewan River. Many of the reports continue to be noted on volunteer canola and wild mustard, on fields with tight canola rotations or where no insecticide seed treatment was used, and they appear to be more active on fields with darker soil with little residue cover. Although early seeded fields in many areas are outgrowing any significant damage, later seeded or slower developing fields still remain at risk from damage. Refer to the May 25 Canola Watch report for further information on assessing flea beetle damage:
http://www.canola-council.org/seed/canola-watch/watch06-may25.html and to the following Canol@Grow link:
http://www.canola-council.org/fleabeetlemonitoring.aspx


Cutworms continue to be noticed in areas of northwestern Manitoba and isolated cases throughout Saskatchewan. Be especially vigilant in areas that had cutworm damage last year. Refer to 2006 Canola Watch No. 5 http://www.canola-council.org/watch06-may25.html for further information on identification and control.


Gopher (Richardson’s ground squirrel) damage was reported in areas of southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta. Refer to the following SAFRR link for further information on management and control: http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/crops/integrated_pest_management/general/RGSquirrelControl.pdf

Spraying of grasshoppers was reported near Dawson Creek and Ft. St. John in the BC Peace region. Since there are many species of grasshoppers in western Canada, growers need to be sure that the grasshoppers found during scouting are indeed pest species. Refer to the following AAFRD and SAFRR links for further information on identification and management of pest grasshoppers:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/for8648
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex6463
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3497
http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/DOCS/crops/integrated_pest_management/insects/grasshopperff.asp?firstPick=
Crops&secondpick=Integrated%20Pest%20Management&thirdpick=Insects


Cabbage seedpod weevil adults have been reported in numbers as high as 4-5 per sweep in fields west of Maple Creek, SK. The threshold level for control at the early bloom stage is 3-4 per sweep. For more information on identification and control of cabbage seedpod weevil refer to the following AAFRD link: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex2538
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/prm10585

Diamondback moth larvae have also been reported in southwestern Saskatchewan. Although numbers at this point are low, growers should be vigilant for scouting of this pest as well. Spraying at early crop stages is unlikely to be warranted unless the larval populations and feeding damage are noticeably heavy and the crop is under stress and is having difficulty outgrowing the damage. In early crop stages, a proposed action threshold of 25-33% defoliation with continued larval feeding has been suggested by John Gavloski from MAFRI. However, in later vegetative stages prior to budding, it is likely that the action threshold can be higher because the crop vegetative growth is rapid at this stage. In most cases, the crop will likely outgrow any appreciable damage. However, if larval feeding continues into the bud stage, with damage to early buds, then spraying is more likely warranted.

Click on to the following link for an example of bud damage from diamondback larval feeding (from Ward Toma, ACPC):
http://www.canola-council.org/images_insects.html

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 agronomists or provincial oilseed specialists:

Derwyn Hammond, Agronomist, Manitoba,
hammondd@canola-council.org, 204-729-9011

Rob Park, Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives,
rpark@gov.mb.ca, 204-745-5665

David Vanthuyne, Agronomist, Eastern Saskatchewan,
vanthuyd@canola-council.org, 306-782-7799

David Blais, Agronomist, Western Saskatchewan,
blaisd@canola-council.org, 306-895-2122

Jim Bessel, Senior Agronomist, Northeastern Saskatchewan,
besselj@canola-council.org, 306-373-6771

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, Agronomist, Central Alberta,
moiseyd@canola-council.org, 780-645-3624

Jackie Heck, Agronomist, Peace River Region,
heckj@canola-council.org, 780-853-5261

Matthew Stanford, Agronomist, Southern Alberta,
stanfordm@canola-council.org, 403-758-6660

Murray Hartman, Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development, murray.hartman@gov.ab.ca, 403-782-8024

Kerry Clark, BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries,
Kerry.Clark@gov.bc.ca,  250-787-3213

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; 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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