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June 26, 2024 – Issue #13
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In the short video above, watch as Dr. Hector Carcamo, research analyst with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge, Alberta discusses common questions and research related to two common pests in canola: cabbage seedpod weevils and lygus bugs.
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How to help canola recover after hail?
Canola can generally recover after early season hail so long as it doesn’t break off the growing point. Be patient: give the crop several days post-hail before making any decisions. Though it can be tempting to ‘try something’, no post-hail rescue products are proven. Since ‘miracle cures’ that appear to have incredible results are likely getting credit for canola’s natural ability to branch and regrow, always leave check strips. Branching after hail can provide compensation for hail damage, but the crop will be at higher risk of sclerotinia due to extended flowering and will mature later. (Will canola recover from early season hail?) (Canola usually recovers from early season hail) (Hail from 4 leaf to flowering)
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How high is the sclerotinia risk?
A dense crop canopy and high humidity — currently the case in many to most Canadian canola acres – are ideal conditions for the development of sclerotinia. At an infection rate of 10% or more, it typically pays to spray. Make a management plan now, as fungicide timing is critical. Fungicide is already in high demand so book product now. The Canola Council of Canada has released a new sclerotinia risk assessment tool. More details available here. (Factors in the sclerotinia spray decision) (Top 10 sclerotinia stem rot questions) (Weather based assessment of sclerotinia
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Is it too late…
… For top-dressing? It’s still worth considering adding nitrogen if yield potential is higher than available fertility, or if you suspect that previously applied nitrogen has been lost in saturated soils. Remember, canola will need 2.5 to 3.5 lbs of nitrogen to produce one bushel. The crop can make effective use of a top-up up to the 6-leaf stage; any N added at or after flowering won’t be as useful this crop year. Keep in mind that added nitrogen will extend the growing season; therefore, ask: are growing days before frost a concern? Top-dressing a weedy field will feed the weeds. (Tips to apply nitrogen and sulphur in season) (Volatilization losses from surface applied nitrogen) (Canola Encyclopedia: Nitrogen)
… For weed control? Early weed control is still a critical priority. Scout for misses, whether sprayer misses or herbicide misses. In fields with cleavers, remember quinclorac needs to be applied before 6-leaf. (Weed control strategies for each HT system) (Spray early: Economics of early weed control)
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Why wait to spray for cabbage seedpod weevil?
Cabbage seedpod weevil (CSPW) are now starting to look for somewhere to lay eggs. Though the adults will feed on buds, it’s important to wait to spray until the critical control window at 10% flowering because:
- Economic losses from CSPW are almost entirely due to weevils laying eggs in young pods, not adults feeding.
- CSPW move very easily between fields. Spraying too early means a second spray will likely be required and limits later-application insecticide choice.
- Low levels of bud feeding can cause a defense response in healthy plants, causing them to flower longer, positively impacting yield. Click here to read the research behind this phenomenon.
Scout now! In addition to CSPW, priority pests this week include: grasshoppers (still mostly in low numbers), flea beetles (which may be at economic threshold in some fields), lygus bugs (which have no official threshold but are a concern on budding canola or rosettes), as well as diamondback moths and bertha armyworms. (Cabbage seedpod weevil scout and control tips)
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Where to get current pest updates?
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Our agronomy quiz has questions on hail damage and canola recovery, grasshoppers thresholds and cabbage seedpod weevil spray timing.
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NEW SCLEROTINIA RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL
You might have seen CCC agronomy specialist and sclerotinia lead, Chris Manchur, on a recent episode of RealAg’s The Agronomists discussing our new sclerotinia risk assessment tool. If not, here’s a link to view the broadcast. The new tool offers a recommendation about whether or not to spray a canola crop (at 20-50 per cent flower) and an opportunity to assess the spray decision by rating disease severity at maturity (30-60 per cent seed colour change.) It also features an economic calculator and a helpful sclerotinia resource library. Check it out today at CanolaCalculator.ca.
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UPCOMING EVENT:
2024 Farming Smarter Field School: on today and tomorrow in Lethbridge, AB
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CROP INSURANCE DEADLINES:
– Alberta: AFSC deadlines
– Saskatchewan: June 20 was the final deadline but dates are different to be covered for fall frost; find out the deadline for your area with the seeding date tool.
– Manitoba: MASC deadlines.
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OPPORTUNITY
Contribute to valuable research by collecting sclerotia in canola: A new research project examining whether sclerotinia in canola has developed fungicide tolerance needs field samples. Samples from 100 fields are needed in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Please collect sclerotia or 2-5 infected stem-pieces in canola fields after harvest, then ship using the address and other information in this pdf. If you have questions, email AAFC Research Scientist Lone.Buchwaldt@agr.gc.ca. Thanks in advance for your help!
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CROP DIAGNOSTICS
Canola Council agronomy specialists and other provincial canola specialists are available to help diagnose issues in crops. However, they need adequate information and good photographs to be able to provide meaningful advice. Here are photography tips and good guidelines for submitting samples.
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REBATE:
The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is administering a 50:50 cost-share rebate program for efforts to control ground squirrel populations. The deadline to claim under the 2024-25 program is July 31, 2024. For more information, click here.
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UPCOMING EVENT:
Registration is now open for the Water Security Agency (WSA)’s Point of Adequate Outlet (PAO) course. To register, contact Heather Davies. Full introductory PAO course dates are as follows:
* Sept 20 online virtual session (9-11am) + Sept 26 field day near Yorkton, SK (9am-3pm)
* Oct 4 online virtual session (9-11am) + Oct 9 field day near Moose Jaw, SK (9am-3pm)
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PEST SURVEY and MAPPING:
Each year, surveyors conduct field visits to gather information for insect survey and population maps in Alberta. In addition, producers can fill out this online Cutworm web submission form to report the location and other details about suspected cutworm finds. Use this interactive map of Alberta to view Cutworm survey results.
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UPCOMING EVENT:
Manitoba Crop Diagnostic School will be back at the Ian N. Morrison Research Station (Carman, MB) from July 3-5, 2024 and July 9-11, 2024. Registration details are available here.
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UPCOMING EVENT:
SaskCanola sponsored Summer 2024 events: Various dates and locations from July 10-24.
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UPCOMING EVENT:
Register for Keep it Clean’s pre-harvest tips & tools webinar. Growers, agronomists, agri-retailers and other industry members are invited to join the Keep it Clean webinar on July 10 at 11 a.m. CDT for timely pre-harvest tips and tools to protect the marketability of Canada’s canola, cereal and pulse crops. Topics include proper staging for pre-harvest glyphosate application, the importance of following pre-harvest intervals for crop protection products and scouting for disease. More information and registration.
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UPCOMING EVENT:
Saskatchewan Crop Diagnostic School: Hosted by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Northeast Agriculture Research Foundation (NARF), July 24 or 25 in Melfort, SK. Limited spaces are available, so register early to guarantee your spot. To register, click here.
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR BC FARMERS:
BC Agricultural Water Infrastructure Program, which aims to increase adoption of efficient irrigation infrastructure and improve ag water supply and management in BC, is open to applications as of May 30. For more information, click here.
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RESOURCE:
Read the newest Canola Research Hub blog
Thirteen new projects underway for CARP in 2024
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RESOURCE:
Cleanfarms’ ag plastic recycling: click here for what to recycle and where. Click here for more information about recycling large tote bags.
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RESOURCE:
Tick Tactics: Understanding and avoiding ticks – a new podcast from Real Agriculture featuring Dr. Curtis Russell of Public Health Ontario (PHO).
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RESOURCE:
University of Manitoba Faculty Conversation: “What bugs a farmer’s crops? Assessing damage in Canola” – Recording now available here. A conversation with researchers Alexandro Costamagna, Hectoro Carcamo and Canola Council agronomist Keith Gabert on flea beetles and lygus bugs.
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RESOURCE:
Keep it Clean 2024 Product Advisory Webinar – Recording now available here. Watch the webinar for an overview of the crop protection product and crop combinations that may cause market risks for the 2024 growing season.
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RESOURCE:
Subscribe to SaskCanola’s texting service
To receive weekly oilseed market outlook reports and canola agronomy resources, subscribe to SaskCanola’s texting service; sent 2-3 times per week by text depending on season and issues. You may unsubscribe at any time. Have questions for SaskCanola? Farmers can also text the number to initiate a two-way conversation with SaskCanola’s staff. Click here for details on how to subscribe.
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SUPPORT:
Are you or is someone you know feeling burnt out, unreasonably stressed or exhausted? Help is available.
– Support lines by province
– Do More Ag Foundation
– Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program
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