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Canola Watch Report: Newsletter with A Number of Articles.

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    Canola Watch Report: Newsletter with A Number of Articles.

    Canola Watch Report No. 17
    August 26, 2009


    In This Issue
    Rains Can Stop Until After Harvest
    Hot, Dry Weather Desirable
    Frost Damage in Alberta
    Possible to Reduce Frost Damage?
    Grasshoppers Migrating?
    Flea Beetles – Record Keeping May Be All That is Needed
    Late Season Spraying – Adhere to PreHarvest Intervals
    Weed Control for 2010 Can Start Now
    How to Even-Out an Uneven Stand
    Crop Not as Ripe as It Looks
    How to Swath with Variable Stages
    Anchoring Short Canola Stands
    Take Advantage of the View
    Questions & Contacts



    This report is supported by each of the provincial canola grower associations. For more information on some of their activities check out the following links:

    The Alberta Canola Producers Commission (ACPC) has developed an e-newsletter called Alberta Canola Connections. Sign up today http://www.canola.ab.ca/newsletter.html to receive the latest information on agronomy, marketing, coming events and more, or check out their website at http://www.canola.ab.ca/.

    In Manitoba sign up for the Manitoba Canola Growers Association newsletter at Canola Growers E-update by visiting their website located at http://www.mcgacanola.org/

    For information on activities in Saskatchewan, visit SaskCanola at http://www.saskcanola.com/.

    Rains Can Stop Until After Harvest

    Rains fell over southern Manitoba last week and amounts generally ranged from a half to two inches but some areas reported more (three to five inches in parts of southwest, central and eastern regions). Hail was reported again in the Brunkild area. In eastern Saskatchewan, rainfall was quite general and a half to ¾ of an inch was common with up to two inches reported at Humboldt. In northern Saskatchewan, trace amounts to ¾ of an inch were reported. Soil moisture levels are nearing field capacity in much of Manitoba and Saskatchewan and there are reports of swathing being delayed because of wet field conditions (ruts being made). Any further rain will likely interfere with swathing which is a week to two weeks from becoming general in most areas. In Alberta, spotty rain fell in central and northern areas with amounts up to half an inch reported. Parts of central and northeastern Alberta received no rainfall and so dry conditions in those areas persist.

    Maps of current moisture conditions in western Canada from PFRA are available at:
    http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpay09_e.htm
    http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prpgs09_e.htm
    Additional moisture information for Alberta is available from Alberta Environment at:
    http://www.environment.alberta.ca/forecasting/data/precipmaps/weekly.pdf


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    Hot, Dry Weather Desirable
    The risk of an early fall frost and its impact on crop quality continues to be one of the greatest concerns. An additional five to 10 days of hot, dry weather is needed to hasten crop maturity. Most of the canola crop is finished flowering with earliest fields generally having about 20 to 40% seed colour change. Swathing is just beginning in the very earliest fields with about 2 to 5% of the canola crop swathed to date. Swathing is expected to become more general across the Prairies in the next week to 10 days. All regions need significant heat and the absence of the first significant fall frost until at least mid to late September.

    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 Ministry of Agriculture is available at:
    http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/crprpt090819
    The latest crop report from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is available at:
    http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd4191#2009
    The following maps show growing degree days accumulating across western Canada this growing season: http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prtgdd_e.htm

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    Frost Damage in Alberta

    Damage from last week’s frost (with temperatures as low as -3oC recorded) is now appearing in the Peace Region of Alberta. Pod formation on the top of plants has been affected and yield will be impacted in the High Prairie, Manning and Kenzie areas. Generally, pod formation on lower branches appears to be unaffected. Severe frost damage has occurred in the Worsley area where up to 80% of plants in some fields have suffered extensive damage. After a frost, producers should wait several days to determine the extent of damage before making any decisions. Fields in the Peace Region are being assessed for damage on a case-by-case basis and in some instances are being cut for hay and/or greenfeed. Information on assessing frost damage and action to be taken is available at the following link:
    https://canola-council.merchantsecure.com/canola_resources/product23.aspx

    More information on using canola as forage is available at the following link:
    http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=8733c510-d266-45ae-8904-f00b02a36b04


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    Possible to Reduce Frost Damage?

    A number of products are being marketed to enhance the crops’ protection from environmental stresses such as frost. The Canola Council of Canada agronomists are not aware of any scientific research in western Canada to support such claims. Growers who are considering applying a product for such a purpose are encouraged to ask for scientific research data results to help with decision making. If growers do choose to use such a product, as with any other new product, start small on a limited number of acres and keep an untreated check strip for comparison. Conducting an on-farm experiment will help determine if the investment was economical.

    Swathing prior to a frost is generally not a good strategy either unless adequate seed colour change has occurred. In order for a swathed crop to be protected from a frost, it must have been swathed long enough for sufficient dry down to occur prior to the frost event (typically at least three full days). Swathing too early, just to avoid the risk of frost, can often translate into yield and quality losses.

    More information on how frost affects the maturing canola seed is available at the following link:
    https://canola-council.merchantsecure.com/canola_resources/product39.aspx


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    Grasshoppers Migrating?

    Grasshopper migration into canola fields may increase as pasture growth slows and other host crops (e.g. cereals) are swathed, especially in the drier parts of southwestern Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan. Continue scouting for grasshoppers because, if caught early, perimeter spraying may be all that is needed. A specific economic threshold for grasshoppers in canola has not been established as it is not a preferred host crop, but it is currently considered to be in the range of 7 to 14 per m2, depending on the crop value and cost for control. More information on grasshoppers is available at the following link: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex6463

    A long, open fall is needed to help crops finish but is also conducive to grasshopper egg laying and development. Female grasshoppers can usually continue to lay eggs until freeze up. If freeze up comes late, then increased grasshopper pressure may result next year, especially where relatively high grasshopper populations exist this fall. After freeze up, grasshopper egg surveys will be conducted by the integrated pest monitoring network (AAFC and provincial entomologists) to help predict the grasshopper risk for next year.


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    Flea Beetles – Record Keeping May Be All That is Needed
    High numbers of flea beetles have been observed in eastern Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba. A surge in flea beetle numbers is common at this time of year but is rarely an economic concern. As many as 300 adults per canola plant have been observed by researchers with no noticeable feeding damage on pods or plants. However, keep records noting where the high populations are at harvest because that can be an indicator for where insect pressure may be high next spring.

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    Late Season Spraying – Adhere to PreHarvest Intervals
    The preharvest interval (PHI) refers to the number of days that the crop should NOT be harvested after application of a pesticide. Harvest in this context means cutting or swathing. If the crop is harvested before the indicated interval has elapsed, there could be unsafe or unacceptable residues of the pesticide remaining in or on the harvested seeds. Preharvest intervals are listed on the labels of pesticides and under the ‘Restrictions’ section of individual product descriptions in a current provincial Guide to Crop Protection. When pesticide applications are being considered, take note of the required preharvest interval and allow for that time period before harvest. Also, ensure that the product is registered for the intended use and registered to be used on the crop at that stage. Following pre-harvest intervals is critical to keeping all canola Export Ready.

    to the top



    Weed Control for 2010 Can Start Now
    The challenging conditions this year resulted in less than ideal weed control in some fields. Plus, harvest appears to be late this year so there will likely be greater risk with post-harvest herbicide timing due to frost. Preharvest applications of glyphosate can be a valuable tool in preparing for next year’s canola crop. Generally, fall applications provide the most effective and consistent control of perennial weeds as herbicide translocation into the root system is enhanced. Wait three full days after application before cutting to allow for thorough translocation of the herbicide. If considering this tool to control weeds in canola crops prior to swathing, keep in mind that the recommended timing of application is when grain moisture is less than 30%, in order to avoid issues with residues in the seed. At this stage in canola the pods are green to yellow and most seeds are yellow to brown. Waiting another three days after this will typically increase seed colour change an additional 10 to 15%, so this may push the maturity past the stage where swathing is appropriate. As a result, this strategy may be more suitable for fields destined for straight cutting. Finally, growers should keep in mind that in general, the use of preharvest glyphosate on crops grown for seed should be avoided.

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    How to Even-Out an Uneven Stand
    Council agronomists are starting to field a number of calls about how to hasten maturity of late canola plants within a field. Uneven fields are not good candidates for straight cutting. Applying a desiccant to an uneven crop will still leave too much green material present and this material can cause significant problems in storage. With the stagey crops this year, swathing may be the best option to even out maturity.

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    Crop Not as Ripe as It Looks
    Upon further inspection this year of seed colour change, the canola crop is not as ripe as it looks in some areas. Some fields are showing significant pod colour change before the seeds do. As the calendar progresses and the risk of fall frost nears, it may be tempting to swath earlier than optimal. Growers must ensure that seed colour change is occurring when assessing the proper time to swath. Do not use plant or pod colour to gauge proper timing because some pods will appear ripe on the outside before the seeds are mature. This year, significant yield may be contributed by side branches so seed colour change needs to be scouted on the side branches as well as the main stem. Open up pods and look at the colour of the seeds to accurately assess swathing timing. Research indicates that the optimum stage to swath for both yield and quality is up to an average of 60% seed colour change. An interview on timing of swathing with Canola Council of Canada agronomist Doug Moisey is available at the following link: http://www.canola.ab.ca/agronomic/grow_with_canola.html

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    How to Swath with Variable Stages
    For growers faced with uneven maturity within fields, it may not be possible to swath all the crop in the 50-60% seed colour change window. In situations where uneven maturity is the problem, the best approach is to swath when the most mature plants are close to 60% seed colour change, provided that the least mature plants are showing some seed colour change at the base of the main stem and that seeds in the upper pods (and branches) are dark green and firm (if maturity varies more than this consult the link regarding multi stage crops below). This will minimize yield loss from seed shrinkage and improve the odds that the seed will cure, although it will likely take longer and may require some more moist conditions. Swathing prior to 15 to 20% seed colour change will likely reduce some yield potential, and could contribute to green seed issues under hot and/or dry conditions.

    More information is available on the "Canola Time of Swathing Guide" at the following link:
    https://canola-council.merchantsecure.com/canola_resources/product12.aspx
    More information on harvesting a multi-stage crop is available at the following link: Multi-Stage Crop

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    Anchoring Short Canola Stands

    Questions about swathing this year’s crop with low plant stands and shortened crop height are starting as the ability to anchor the swath to the stubble will likely be hampered. To reduce potential losses from swaths blowing, keep the following recommendations in mind:


    Swath parallel to the typical prevailing winds in the area
    Cut the plants as high as possible, just below the lowest pod
    Using a properly adjusted swath roller, push down the swath so that the edges are nestled into the stubble. Because the swath will be on or close to the ground, curing and/or dry down time may take longer.

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    Take Advantage of the View
    Harvest is a good time to assess crop performance as well as crop management because producers have greater access to all areas of the field, and a unique visual perspective of the plants that have survived to maturity and are contributing to yield. While swathing, try to capture additional clues about why there may be underperforming acres and learn from that knowledge to make changes in the future. More information on fall scouting is available at the following link: http://www.canola-council.org/news/1816/scout_now_to_learn_why.aspx.

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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, 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, Senior Agronomy Specialist Manitoba, hammondd@canolacouncil.org, 204-729-9011
    Anastasia Kubinec, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, anastasia.kubinec@gov.mb.ca, 204-745-5645
    Jim Bessel, Senior Agronomy Specialist, Central Saskatchewan, besselj@canolacouncil.org, 306-373-6771
    Tiffany Martinka, Agronomy Specialist, Eastern Saskatchewan, martinkat@canolacouncil.org, 306-231-3663
    Venkata Vakulabharanam, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Venkata.Vakulabharanam@gov.sk.ca, (306)787-4668
    Doug Moisey, Senior Agronomy Specialist, East Central Alberta and Northwestern Saskatchewan, moiseyd@canolacouncil.org, 780-645-9205
    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:

    Alberta Canola Producers Commission; Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, SaskCanola, Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Manitoba Canola Growers Association, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Peace River Agriculture Development Fund, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture & Lands, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Canola Council of Canada.
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