Water quality is the key to achieving proper performance of many herbicides, particularly with glyphosate and many grassy weed products. The following link provides more information on spray water quality: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex7573 Custom applicators (and growers in general) should double check to ensure the right product is being applied to the right field. Ensure legal land descriptions and field directions are …
Be a Good Neighbor
Spray drift can be costly (liability-wise) but also gives agriculture a negative image. Pay attention to boom height, nozzle selection, water volume, pressure, wind speed and direction, etc. Calibrate your sprayer before spray season begins. Be a good neighbor and make certain the product applied hits the target and the target only. The following link has more information on managing spray …
Emergence Challenges
Emergence Challenges Canola seeding is virtually complete in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Where soil moisture is adequate for germination, cool temperatures and late-spring frosts are stalling canola growth and development. Emerged fields range from the cotyledon to 2- or 3-leaf stage. Where conditions are dry (south and west-central SK and southeast-central Alberta), some canola is stranded in dry soil and will …
Patience Rather Than Panic
Resist the urge to re-seed immediately after this frost, as recovery can turn out to be better than expected. Wait at least three to four days to determine if the growing point is still intact and new green growth is visible. The frost may thin the stand only, especially in low lying areas. As a guide, a reasonable plant population …
Things to Consider for the Re-Seed or Late Seeding Decision
Re-assess the maturity of the chosen variety. It may be getting too late to plant longer season varieties based on the frost-free period remaining. If necessary, ask a local retailer to suggest other suitable varieties for the area. Keep crop insurance deadlines in mind. The crop insurance seeding deadline for Saskatchewan is June 20. In Alberta, deadlines are May 31 …
Cutworms Appearing
Reports of cutworms (in populations high enough to warrant spraying or to destroy significant acreages where they were missed) have been reported in isolated fields right across western Canada. Cutworm damage often appears as bare patches showing up across the field. Plants in these areas will be wilted or dead and have been chewed off below the soil surface. A …
Worms and Other Soil Invertebrates
While digging for wireworms and cutworms, you may encounter other worms. Species in the enchytraeid family are pale white to grey, segmented worms and usually one to two cm (but can be up to five cm) in length. When magnified, these worms resemble earthworms. These creatures are beneficial insects that function in decaying organic matter and nutrient cycling. Saskatchewan Ministry …
In-crop Weed Spraying Next On the ‘To Do’ List
Many producers were unable to do a pre-seed burn-off so it is critical to maximize efficiency with the first in-crop pass. The first step is scouting to determine weed species present and staging. Some growers are noticing that the grassy weeds are present and need to be controlled, whereas broadleaf weeds are slower to emerge. While research has shown that …
Spraying Tips
Water quality is the key to achieving proper performance of many herbicides, particularly with glyphosate and many grassy weed products. The following link provides more information on spray water quality: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex7573 Custom applicators (and growers in general) should double check to ensure the right product is being applied to the right field. Ensure legal land descriptions and field directions are …
Be a Good Neighbor
Spray drift can be costly (liability-wise) but also gives agriculture a negative image. Pay attention to boom height, nozzle selection, water volume, pressure, wind speed and direction, etc. Calibrate your sprayer before spray season begins. Be a good neighbor and make certain the product applied hits the target and the target only. The following link has more information on managing …