Canola has a very high sulphur need, unlike most other annual crops. Sulphur is relatively mobile in the soil, but not in the plant. It's also a nutrient that comes in a readily-available and slow-release form. All told, sulphur management of canola takes some careful planning and forethought, with a few key cautions thrown in.... Read More
Category: Crop Schools
Many agronomic and environmental factors can contribute to uneven soybean emergence. From variable planting depth to moisture availability at seeding depth or untimely rains that seal some seeds underground — every uneven soybean field has a story. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs soybean specialist Horst Bohner has seen his fair share of... Read More
Bertha armyworm isn't necessarily an insect pest the Prairies have had huge amounts of trouble with over the last few years. Which is exactly why it may be our turn for an "on" cycle, says Keith Gabert of the Canola Council of Canada. If there are bertha armyworm in the field, it's important to get... Read More
The weeks following planting season — when problems that arose during planting are still top of mind and planter-related issues can be identified in the field — offer an opportunity to pro-actively perform maintenance and upgrades before parking the planter in the back of the shed. The summer months can also coincide with equipment dealer... Read More
There's plenty to learn from early scouting trips across the field, including seed survival, seeding depth, and evaluating the effectiveness of inputs so far. One of those key early inputs includes a seed treatment, and one of the most common uses for insecticidal seed treatments on canola is to fight flea beetles. Because feeding on... Read More
There are a few different scenarios to look at when it comes to deciding whether or not to spray a fungicide on wheat. Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension manager with the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions, says there are four key times that producers are either already going over the field, or there is potential... Read More
When's the best time to control cutworms in canola? For growers wanting to take out the pest it's best to put away the sun glasses and reach for the night vision goggles. On this episode of the RealAgriculture Canola School, BASF agronomist Leighton Blashko walks a field of canola near Sherwood Park, Alta., and tells... Read More
The pea crop may not be a perfect 10, but that's because its actually aiming for 13. What's that now? Nodulation is key to pulse crops' biggest super power: nitrogen fixation. But nodulation doesn't always go as planned, and assessing a crop's nodulation score can help determine yield potential and highlight where inoculation management may... Read More
Heading out to the field within a few weeks of canola emergence is a great way to fully assess seeder performance, stand establishment and uniformity, and identify early insect pressure. When assessing plant establishment, it's important to distinguish between a seedling that is intended and one that's perhaps a holdover volunteer from a past crop.... Read More
For many in Western Canada, making it through the Victoria Day long weekend often means we are in the clear from Jack Frost. We also know with every anecdotal rule comes an exception. Part of the central Prairies did see low to freezing temps late this season and that's prompted several questions about if there's... Read More