Hail and Frost

Mother Nature continued to challenge canola production last week. There were reports of hail in southwest Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan. Frost (-1 ⁰C) was reported in Alberta near Beaverlodge, Leduc and Ryley on Sunday night/Monday morning. Canola fields that are vegetative can recover better after a frost or light hail damage but maturity may be delayed. Canola plants that are reproductive may suffer some yield loss if the frost or hail was severe enough to damage buds and cause flower blast resulting in aborted pods. The missing pods will become evident later in the season but the canola may be able to respond with additional flower and pod production if weather conditions improve.