Home / Canola Watch Newsletters / Canola Watch: Our annual exam | Plan now for yield robbers 2025
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Snow blowing into bins could increase storage risk when temperatures are warm enough to melt that snow. See the Canola Council of Canada’s storage video playlist.
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How does snow inside the bin affect safe storage?
Heavy winds the past few days blew a lot of snow up under eaves and into grain bins. This may not be a storage risk factor as long as bins stay cold, but could create high moisture areas when temperatures rise. Take a peek inside bins to check the snow situation. Take care (and possibly avoid) climbing bins when ladders are slippery. Factors that increase storage risk
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Will new products improve nutrient use efficiency?
The best way to identify nutrient needs is with a soil test, and the best way to evaluate new products is with on-farm trials. Some fields may be short of micronutrients. Some biologicals may provide a benefit in some scenarios. Agronomists have valuable insight on nutrient needs and the 4Rs: the right source at the right rate, right time and right place.
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Are your electronics updated?
Fieldview will introduce Drive 2.0 this winter. John Deere, CNH and other companies will have software and gear updates to improve their guidance and mapping systems. Winter is a good time to recalibrate, run these updates and clean up data collected through the year. Use winter and spring farm shows to ask about upgrades to your existing tech, and kick the tires on other field and equipment mapping and management tools.
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How to plan ahead for canola yield robbers?
Canola yield robbers from 2024 could also be yield robbers in 2025. Agronomists and farmers can do some prep now to reduce the risk.
- Blackleg. The best defences are crop rotation and resistant cultivars. Seed treatment and early-season fungicide can also help, especially if the first two are compromised. If resistance seems to be dropping, consider trying cultivars with resistance to match the races within a field. More on that here.
- Verticillium stripe. Some Manitoba farmers estimate yield loss at 20 per cent or more. Ensure accurate identification and ask seed companies about cultivars with enhanced resistance.
- Sclerotinia stem rot. Well-timed fungicide can manage this disease. Some sclerotinia-tolerant hybrids are available. Bookmark the sclerotinia management tools here.
- Clubroot. Like blackleg, the best defences are crop rotation and resistant cultivars. See the big cultivar traits table here. Use clubroot resistant cultivars proactively. Scout to ensure resistance is working. If resistance is failing, switch to another source of resistance and reach out to your CCC agronomy specialist.
- Environment. Low moisture and heat at flowering are two major environmental factors hurting yield. Adequate sulphur nutrition will make canola somewhat more resilient. 10 tips to improve canola yields in dry conditions
- Nutrient management. Balanced and adequate nutrition can make canola more resilient to various stresses. Soil tests can help set the right rate for macro and micronutrients. If trying any new product, consider strip trials that include untreated checks. How much fertilizer does canola need? Quick tips for on-farm trials
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Canola Watch annual exam
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The Canola Watch 2024 annual exam for Certified Crop Advisors and Certified Crop Science Consultants (and anyone else who wants to enhance their agronomy skills) has five sections:
- Water & Nutrition: CCA – 0.5 credit in soil and water management, 0.5 credit in nutrient management; CCSC – 1.0 credit in crop management
- Diseases, Weeds and Insects: CCA – 0.5 credit in integrated pest management (IPM), 0.5 credit in sustainability; CCSC – 1.0 credit in IPM
- Canola Watch Fundamentals: CCA and CCSC – 0.5 credit in IPM, 0.5 credit in crop management
- Agronomy tips from new canola multi-media: CCA and CCSC – 1.0 credit in crop management
- Canola Digest Science 2024: CCA – 0.5 credit in IPM, 0.5 credit in nutrient management; CCSC – 0.5 credit in IPM, 0.5 credit in crop management
Find them all here.
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EVENT:
Alberta Canola’s Grower Engagement Meeting – December 18, online broadcast from 10am-12pm. Information
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EVENT:
Saskatchewan Crops Forum – January 14&15 at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon. The event includes AGMs for the SaskOilseeds and other Saskatchewan crop commissions, keynote by General Rick Hillier (Ret.), former Chief of Defence Staff in the Canadian Forces, a research investment panel with Shaun Haney, and a live taping of the popular Curse of Politics podcast with David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke. Information and registration
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EVENT:
Alberta Agronomy Update – January 14-15. Online only. Information and registration
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EVENT:
Alberta Canola’s Conference and AGM are January 22 and its Research Symposium is January 23. The combination event is in Red Deer. Information and registration.
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EVENT:
CrossRoads Crop Conference – January 27-29 in Edmonton. Information and registration
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EVENT:
Top Notch Farming extension meetings in Saskatchewan
–Hudson Bay, February 4
–Melfort, February 5
–Weyburn, February 11
–Moosomin, February 12
Meetings feature presentations on the latest barley, canola, and flax research and agronomy, global markets, and prairie hydrology. Information and registration (Scroll down the events page to get details for each location.)
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EVENT:
Manitoba Canola Growers AGM – February 11, the day before the CropConnect
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EVENT:
CropConnect Conference – February 12-13 in Winnipeg Information and registration
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EVENT:
2025 Canadian Crops Convention – March 4-6 at the JW Marriott Edmonton, hosted by the Canola Council of Canada and Canada Grains Council. Network with other industry members, learn from expert speakers and share ideas on how to navigate and collaborate in our complex and ever-changing world. Register by January 15 and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a 4 pack of Apple AirTags. Find more details on the 2025 Convention and register today at canadiancrops.ca.
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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
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