There are reports of macronutrients and micronutrients being foliar applied to give struggling canola plants a boost and potentially hasten or even crop maturity. Canola Council of Canada agronomists are not aware of any scientific research to date here in western Canada that supports the economics of this practice. If growers do choose to try a foliar application, leave a …
Canola Buds Present – Still Spray for Weeds?
Crop growth and development is variable within many fields in western Canada. Plus, thin plant stands are taking longer to cover the ground and weeds continue to compete in some fields. A common question being asked is can a field be sprayed after canola begins to bud? Each field should be considered on a case-by-case basis. The first step is …
Cutworms Winding Down?
Reports of cutworms continue in parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta. Reports of cutworms are most common in fields that were cultivated last summer (summer fallow or pasture and hay land that was renovated) and had loose soil (usually with some green growth present, including weeds, that attracted the moths to lay their eggs near a food source for the larvae …
Other Insect Pests Appearing
Cabbage seedpod weevil has been seen in canola fields throughout southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan as crops have started to bolt, with some fields in early flower. Reports are that populations are lower than last year with many fields below threshold at this time. The economic threshold for the weevil is 20 to 30 weevils in 10 sweeps, depending on …
Crop School Season is Here
Up for a great learning experience? There are a number of crop training events organized across western Canada to challenge even the most seasoned agronomist. For more information or to register refer to the list at the following link: http://www.canola-council.org/grow_canola_whats_new.aspx
Recruiting Disease Survey Participants
Faye Dokken, Provincial Specialist – Plant Diseases with Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is looking for cooperators to participate in a canola disease survey this summer. Representatives from the Ministry would like permission to enter canola fields and collect a soil sample (for clubroot screening). While at the field, representatives will also take note of other canola diseases that may be …
Seeding and Re-seeding of Canola Finished
Seeding and Re-seeding of Canola Finished Late seeding in parts of Manitoba and re-seeding of canola due to frost across western Canada continued last week but is now complete. Excess moisture has prohibited seeding in parts of northwestern Manitoba (near Sifton, Ethelbert, Gilbert Plains and Grandview) and in the northern Interlake where it is estimated that 65 to 75% of …
Moisture Runs the Gamut – Dry to Excessive
Although some areas of Manitoba are too wet, soil moisture conditions are rated as dry on the western side of the province. Rain is needed soon, especially in the southwest where signs of moisture stress are starting to appear in some crops. Rainfall was quite general in Saskatchewan with amounts averaging ½ inch to 1½ inches, with as much as …
Crop Staging Runs the Gamut, Too
Canola staging is quite variable within an area and even within a single field in some areas. Re-seeded and late seeded fields range from just emerging to the cotyledon stage. Rainfall in areas that were extremely dry is resulting in a ‘second flush’ of germinating canola, resulting in staging from cotyledon to 4- to 6-leaf in the same field. Where …
Thin Stands Need to Be Watched Closely
Crop staging is variable in this year’s canola crop across the west but one common thread is thin stands. Cool and dry conditions in many areas resulted in less than ideal emergence. Late frosts thinned stands in many areas. Canola fields with low plant densities are more vulnerable to losses from insects, weed competition and environmental stresses such as fall …