Variable Crop Staging

Canola staging continues to be quite variable within an area and within a single field in some areas. Re-seeded and late seeded fields range from 4- leaf to rosette stage. Rainfall in areas that were extremely dry is resulting in a ‘second flush’ of germinating canola, resulting in staging from cotyledon to bolting in the same field. Where canola is stressed (e.g. excess moisture in Manitoba or extremely dry in Alberta), pre-mature bud formation and bolting is occurring from small, unthrifty plants. Where soil moisture is adequate, good growing conditions over the past week have helped advance canola development. Earliest seeded fields are at the bolting stage to early flowering stage with the very earliest seeded fields in full flower. Most areas continue to report overall crop development as later (about two 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 Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is available at: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/crprpt090702
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