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 in the same field. Where soil moisture is limiting, pre-mature bud formation and bolting is occurring from small, unthrifty plants. Where soil moisture is not limiting, the return to more seasonable temperatures has helped advance canola development. Earliest seeded fields are in the 4- to 6-leaf stage with ground cover reported in many areas. There are reports of canola bolting and beginning to flower in a few of the very earliest seeded fields. Most areas still report overall crop development as later (about 1 to 3 weeks) than normal. Continued warm weather and a return to more average moisture are certainly needed to bring crop development up to normal.

The latest crop report from Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives is available at:http://web2.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/mwcr/index.php
The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is available at:
http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/crprpt090618
The latest crop report from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is available at:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd4191#2009
The following maps show growing degree days accumulating across western Canada this growing season:http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prtgdd_e.htm