HOW TO ASSESS FROST DAMAGE ON YOUNG CANOLA
After a frost, it can take a few days to accurately determine how many plants survived, and whether the stand is still uniform. Be patient before making any decisions.
BIG WEEDS: GET THEM NOW
Seeding is the priority for many growers this week, but fields that still have lots of big winter annual weeds should get a pre-seed burnoff with a high rate of glyphosate before seeding.
POST-SEED/PRE-EMERGENT SPRAY WINDOW
If choosing to seed before spraying, weeds present will have a minimum five days — usually more — before the crop emerges. These weeds can advance very quickly in good conditions, which is why growers who seed before spraying may choose to apply in the narrow post-seeding pre-emergence window.
DRY SEEDBED? STICK TO <1” DEPTH
In dry soil conditions, growers may be tempted to seed deep enough to reach moisture. This is not necessary from April to mid-May. The common recommendation to seed no deeper than 1” still applies in dry conditions.
CALCULATE HOW MANY PLANTS YOUR SEEDING RATE PROVIDES
We had a grower ask about how many seeds per square foot he would have if he seeded 5g TKW seed at 5.5 lb./ac. Here are the steps to calculate…
HOW TO WEATHER-PROOF CANOLA: WIND
Seedlings can be at significant risk from wind damage. Wind can dry out the seed bed. And high winds can blow seeds and seedlings right out of the ground, especially if topsoil is dry.
INSECT UPDATE: WINDS ARRIVE FROM THE SOUTH
Wind trajectory maps from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) indicate that winds have arrived from southern areas where diamondback moths and aster leafhoppers overwinter.
FLEA BEETLES: WHEN TO SPRAY?
Flea beetles are feeding on volunteer and early-seeded canola but their presence does not mean they need to be sprayed.
JOIN THE FUN AT CANOLAPALOOZA: REGISTER NOW
We have two canolaPALOOZA locations for 2016.
—June 21, AAFC Crop Diversification Centre at Portage la Prairie, MB
—June 28, AAFC Research Station at Lacombe, AB
GROWERS NEEDED FOR PAMI STORAGE RESEARCH
Joy Agnew from Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) in Humboldt is looking for Saskatchewan farmers with canola in storage that will remain in storage until at least August.
CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE: ONLINE OPTION
Farmers are encouraged to complete their Census of Agriculture questionnaire in early May. It takes on average 30-50 minutes and is easier and faster when done online. To complete the census online, visit
HOW TO WEATHER-PROOF CANOLA
Crop yield has a lot to do with weather — rainfall, temperature, frost and hail are the biggies. Agronomic steps to reduce weather related risk can go a long way to help canola achieve higher yields under stress.
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