Canola Watch – Free, Unbiased, Timely and Research Focused - Timely production tips and information

Canola Council of Canada

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• Issues of the week

  Weed control remains top of mind. Without good weed control, all other inputs — including fertilizer and top quality hybrids — cannot achieve the return on investment expected of them. We have tips this week on weed control in cool conditions. Continue to check for flea beetles. Crucifer populations are starting to peak  — they [...]

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• Photo quiz of the week

  

  What caused this damage? Click “Read more” to answer the quiz.

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• Spraying in cool temperatures

  

  Cool cloudy days after cool nights will result in lower herbicide efficacy than applications made in warm sunny days. Cloudy days don’t provide the photosynthetic activity required for many herbicides, including Group 10 glufosinate. And nights near freezing followed by days with highs that barely reach 10 C will not provide high metabolic activity required for best results from Group 9 glyphosate.

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• Late seeding? Tips to help canola mature faster

  Canola seeded this week may need help reaching maturity before freeze up. Here are tips to reduce the risk: Choose an early maturing variety. Seed shallow. Increase the seeding rate. Use seed-placed P. Reduce N rate.

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• Good time for top dressing

  If good moisture has increased yield outlooks and nitrogen may not be sufficient, top dress applications should occur before the 5-leaf stage of the crop.

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• Are you sure it was flea beetles?

  You maybe went to a field to scout for flea beetles, but take time to look around. Consider all possible causes when you notice uneven emergence, patchy growth and unthrifty plants. Get a second opinion when necessary. You need to know what caused a problem before you can take effective corrective action.

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• How to do a plant count

  

  When scouting, take time to check the plant stand. Look for blank areas and also look for thin areas. The plant

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• Gopher management

  Gophers can eat up large areas within a canola field. Strychnine baits and, in some jurisdictions, mix-it-yourself strychnine liquid is available for gopher control. Phostoxin is also registered for gopher control, but this is a restricted use product that requires a special permit for purchase and application.

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• Canola in excess water. Will it survive?

  Canola is quite susceptible to water logging and shows a yield reduction after only three days with wet feet. If only a small percentage of the field is lost, reseeding may not pay off — especially if that small percentage includes a bunch of pot holes all across the field. And wait to see how the crop recovers from saturated soils before investing any more in fertilizer.

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