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Issues Archive
Use the expandable navigational menu on the left hand column to find a specific issue of Canola Watch by year, month and date.
June 24, 2009
Seeding and Re-seeding of Canola Finished
Seeding and Re-seeding of Canola Finished Late seeding in parts of Manitoba and re-seeding of canola due to frost across western Canada continued last week but is now complete. Excess moisture has prohibited seeding in parts of northwestern Manitoba (near Sifton, Ethelbert, Gilbert Plains and Grandview) and in the northern Interlake where it is estimated […]
Moisture Runs the Gamut – Dry to Excessive
Although some areas of Manitoba are too wet, soil moisture conditions are rated as dry on the western side of the province. Rain is needed soon, especially in the southwest where signs of moisture stress are starting to appear in some crops. Rainfall was quite general in Saskatchewan with amounts averaging ½ inch to 1½ […]
Crop Staging Runs the Gamut, Too
Canola staging is quite variable within an area and even within a single field in some areas. Re-seeded and late seeded fields range from just emerging to the cotyledon stage. Rainfall in areas that were extremely dry is resulting in a ‘second flush’ of germinating canola, resulting in staging from cotyledon to 4- to 6-leaf […]
Thin Stands Need to Be Watched Closely
Crop staging is variable in this year’s canola crop across the west but one common thread is thin stands. Cool and dry conditions in many areas resulted in less than ideal emergence. Late frosts thinned stands in many areas. Canola fields with low plant densities are more vulnerable to losses from insects, weed competition and […]
Cutworms Continue to Attack
Spraying for cutworms continues in parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta. Reports of cutworms are most common in fields that were cultivated last summer (summer fallow or pasture and hay land that was renovated) and had loose soil present for the adults to lay eggs. Cutworms may be at an advanced stage of development and close […]
Cutworm Spraying? Spend Money Wisely
Numerous beneficial insects, including both predatory ground beetles and parasitic wasps and flies are often effective in suppressing cutworm populations below damaging levels. Therefore, unnecessary use of insecticides should be avoided. The list of products registered for control of cutworms in canola is limited compared to those for flea beetle control, leading to some confusion […]
Cabbage Seedpod Weevil
Cabbage seedpod weevil has been seen in canola fields throughout southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan as crops have started to bolt, with some fields in early flower. The proper way to sample for cabbage seedpod weevil adults is with a sweep net. Begin sampling when the crop first enters the bud stage and continue through […]
Other Insects Appearing
There were a couple of reports of red turnip beetle infestations in northwest Manitoba and in the southern Peace region of Alberta. This insect moves into a field by migrating from a neighboring field that was in canola last year. As a result, control can usually be achieved with perimeter spraying. More information on this […]
Tank Mixes – Herbicides and Insecticides
There are reports of insecticides being applied in a tank mix with herbicides during the second spray pass on canola for cabbage seedpod weevil and cutworms. The first question that needs to be asked and answered is – ‘Is the insecticide needed?’. Applying insecticides for ‘just in case’ reasons does not make good economic sense […]
Crops and Weeds – How to Spray Variable Stages
Crop growth and development is variable within many fields in western Canada. A common question being asked is when is the best time to spray? Each field should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Keep in mind a few important points: The first step is to scout. Scout the crop for signs of stress (moisture) […]