QUIZ – PROCESS OF ELIMINATION
You see plants ripening prematurely. Why are they doing that? To answer that question accurately requires a few scouting steps.
SWATH TIMING: HAVE ENOUGH SEEDS TURNED?
Once canola plants are swathed, the seed does not continue to fill. Seed that is swathed before accumulating its full complement of oil and protein will not accumulate any more after swathing, resulting in potential yield loss.
BLACKLEG: SCOUTING, IDENTIFICATION AND NEXT STEPS
Around 60 per cent seed colour change (swath timing) is the best time to scout for blackleg as the basal cankers, which cause significant yield loss, are easy to see. Check fields – even if growing resistant (R) rated hybrids. An R rating is not immunity and does not tell much about if it will be effective against the races in a individual field.
INSECT UPDATE: SPRAY OR NOT?
Numbers for August-emerging flea beetles have to be very high — perhaps 100 per plant — before economic losses occur. Some patches might be that high.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND CLUBROOT?
This article runs through a series of questions and scenarios, a bit like “choose your own adventure”, to help farmers and agronomists come up with an appropriate management plan for each situation.
CLUBROOT PATCH? COLLECT GALLS AND BAG THEM FOR DISPOSAL
You have been actively scouting and found clubroot early. The disease is confined to “patches” or small areas in your field, typically around field entrances, drainage paths or low spots in the field. Here’s what to do with them…
STRAIGHT COMBINING: NATURAL DRY DOWN OR SPRAY?
A pre-harvest spray to help prepare canola for straight combining may not be required if hot, dry days allow for dry down of the crop and weeds. Two recent studies from Western Canada found cases where these applications were not necessary.
CW
