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In this short video, Brittany Hennig (Visscher), now Research Director with Alberta Canola, explains how to easily calculate plant density in emerging canola. This is a critical piece of information when assessing what went right and what could improve at seeding and germination.
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Canola Quiz – This week in agronomy
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Six questions on topics CCC agronomy specialists talked about over the past week…plant counts, excess moisture, fertilizer shortages, tank mixing, flea beetle spraying and reseeding…
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How to get tank mixing right?
Tank mixing can make economic sense and can provide options for enhanced management. However, some mixes are antagonistic, mitigating the products’ ability to control the target pests, causing injury to the crop, plugging nozzles, or leaving residue in the tank. Before tank mixing, ask: did I check the label? Do I need to do a jar test? What’s the right mixing order? Ammonium sulphate needs to be added to the tank before some herbicides. When opting to combine insecticide and herbicide, keep in mind that preferred nozzle sizes differ. So long as drift isn’t an issue, consider adjusting sprayer pressure to better accommodate insecticide applied via herbicide-sized nozzles. Growers have until Dec 2024 to comply with the new tank mixing policy from PMRA. (Sprayers 101: Right way to spray) (Herbicide resistance prevention)
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Thank goodness for rain. Now how to stay ahead of weeds?
Many regions are grateful for recent or forecasted rain. However, moisture will bring a flush of weeds to acres that missed a pre-seed burndown. Given current warm temperatures, the window for a pre-emergent herbicide application will likely be past. If wild oats haven’t flushed yet, don’t wait: Liberty works well on small weeds and a clean-up application can be done on a second pass where necessary. Managing weeds when they are smallest is always beneficial; weeds that emerge after canola reaches the 4-leaf stage are mostly cosmetic.
If rain causes further seeding or spraying delays, take advantage of the pause to give the sprayer a spa day. The next week or two is the most common time for crop injury due to sprayer tank contamination, especially from Group 2 herbicides. (See weeds, spray them) (Best tips for weed management)
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Why are we not yet in the clear for flea beetles?
Flea beetles are being reported sporadically across the Prairies, but at lower numbers than usual. Stay vigilant – it is still too early to assume flea beetles won’t impact significant acres.
Those who opted for enhanced seed treatments should assess those products’ efficacy and economic return as canola emerges. Lumiderm offers excellent control of cutworms and some enhanced flea beetle control; Buteo Start offers enhanced flea beetle control but doesn’t target cutworms with its new active ingredient.
Given lambda-cyhalothrin’s new restrictions, talk to your retailer and consider the strengths and weaknesses of alternate options. Pyrethroid insecticides are not recommended for application over 25C. On a hot day, an organophosphate might be a better option. (Flea beetle management tips) (Flea beetle preventative strategies) (Flea beetle findings that shape management choices)
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How to manage a stagey crop?
Dry surface soil in some parts of the Prairies is resulting in inconsistent canola emergence and crop staginess. An inconsistent stand does add challenges to weed management and other management priorities. However, the window of herbicide application timing is quite broad. Typically, the crop evens out somewhat through the growing season.
Flea beetles could hit a stagey crop in consecutive feeding flushes, which means higher plant density won’t necessarily dilute beetles’ feeding. As the seed treatment is often only effective for 3-4 weeks from seeding date, small later emerging canola would be at higher risk of flea beetle injury.
The seeding deadline for crop insurance is early June. That said, don’t give up too easily on the already-seeded crop if you are debating reseeding. A uniform two plants per square foot still brings a 90% possibility of achieving expected canola yield. (How to work through the reseeding decision) (Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation) (AFSC – Alberta) (MASC – Manitoba)
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Canola Community Connections
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RESEEDING PROGRAMS: Click here for details on major companies’ reseeding programs.
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UPCOMING EVENT: Saskatchewan Crop Diagnostic School – Indian Head, SK – July 25 OR 26 (choose one day only). Hosted by the Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation, this is an in-depth training opportunity to improve crop scouting skills and further one’s agronomic knowledge. Time: 8:00 to 3:00 each day with registration beginning at 8am. Cost: $100.00 per person (includes lunch). Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are pending for Certified Crop Advisors. Limited spaces are available – register early to guarantee a spot.
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UPCOMING EVENT: Farming Smarter’s 2023 Field School takes place in-person June 15th from 8:00 – 3:30. More information is available here.
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UPCOMING EVENT: Lethbridge College’s Research Farm Field Day is coming up 8:30 am – 1:30 pm July 11th. For more information and to register, click here.
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RESOURCE: Cutworm reporting and tracking – Alberta Agriculture offers a cutworm reporting submission form and mapping tool to assist growers in monitoring potential cutworm problems. For more information, click here.
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UPCOMING EVENT: Grain Dryer Setup College
July 11th at Oakland Colony Farms in Carroll, MB
July 12th at Red River Seeds in Morris, MB
This event will feature several informative speakers covering all aspects of the grain dryer setup process, including equipment, power sources, relevant regulations and bylaws, and safety concerns. There will also be time provided for questions, allowing attendees to get information and advice specific to their operation. Hosted by Manitoba Canola Growers (MCGA), Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) and Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG), in partnership with the Canola Council of Canada. Registration is now live.
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BETA TESTERS NEEDED for the 2023 season: Sclerotinia Risk Assessment Tool. To help growers decide whether a fungicide application is advised to control sclerotinia, the CCC is updating their sclerotinia risk assessment checklist into a validated and interactive tool. The CCC is looking for beta testers to use the tool during early flowering, and then revisit fields during 30-60% seed colour change to assess sclerotinia disease severity to confirm the recommendation. Testers who complete both steps will be eligible for a gift card. To sign up, contact Chris Manchur, CCC Sclerotinia Lead.
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NEW SURVEY OPPORTUNITY: Canola storage survey: The University of Manitoba is conducting a Canola Drying survey to inform research projects for canola growers on grain drying and storage. The 19-question survey can be done in as little as 10 minutes and all responses collected will be anonymous. Aggregated results will be published in a farm journal. Click here to sign up. If you have questions, contact Dr. Fuji Jian, University of Manitoba.
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RESOURCE: Want plant-count rings? The Canola Council of Canada has handy plant count rings to help agronomists and farmers calculate plant stands. Email Yana Kostiukova at KostiukovaY@canolacouncil.org to order yours for the 2023 Canola Counts program.
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INCENTIVE: As the Canola 4R Advantage Program enters year two, growers will have access to more cost-sharing opportunities. Funding limits for each of the four BMPs will increase from $6,000 per BMP per farm to $20,000 per BMP per farm. For more on these and other changes, watch this 12-minute webinar. Read Canola 4R Advantage year two: New incentives added.
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For a full listing of canola-related resources, opportunities and upcoming events, check out this week’s full Community Connections page here.
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