Canola Community Connections

STOP THE STRIKE:
The potential simultaneous disruption of Canada’s two national rail carriers poses a significant risk to Canadian agriculture, other industries and the broader Canadian economy. Make your voice heard — send a letter to Ottawa at stopthestrike.ca.

EVENT NEXT WEEK
Manitoba Disease and Weed Training Days: Join Manitoba Agriculture, in partnership with the Canola Council of Canada and the Manitoba Canola Growers Association, for hands-on identification of canola diseases and weeds. The session begins at 9:00 am and wraps at 11:30 am, with a mid-morning coffee break sponsored by the Manitoba Canola Growers. Contact Sonia Wilson, provincial oilseeds specialist, by email or at 204-750-2840 for exact location details.
– August 27 at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Station, 317 River Road, Portage la Prairie
– August 28 at a field near Virden, Manitoba.

UPCOMING EVENT:
Saskatchewan Disease Training Days: Hosted in partnership between SaskCanola (SaskOilseeds), Agri-ARM and the Canola Council of Canada and free to attend. Members of each of these organizations will be presenting as well as local crop extension specialists and provincial specialists. Topics covered will include disease scouting, identification for the four main canola diseases, and taking samples to submit for confirmation. Register here to attend. Workshops will be held in:
– Outlook, SK, on August 28 (bonus: CCC agronomy specialist Shawn Senko will be joining)
– Melfort, SK, on September 5 (bonus: CCC agronomy specialist Ian Epp will be joining)
– Yorkton, SK on September 12 (bonus: CCC agronomy specialists Warren Ward and Breanna Miller will be joining)

UPCOMING EVENT:
Registration is now open for the Water Security Agency (WSA)’s Point of Adequate Outlet (PAO) course. To register, contact Heather Davies. Full introductory PAO course dates are as follows:
* Sept 20 online virtual session (9-11am) + Sept 26 field day near Yorkton, SK (9am-3pm)
* Oct 4 online virtual session (9-11am) + Oct 9 field day near Moose Jaw, SK (9am-3pm)

SURVEY:
The University of Calgary’s Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy is working to make digital agriculture technology and data more accessible and transparent. They are asking Western Canadian producers to share their views in a 15-minute survey on digital technologies to help shape the future of farming.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
The currently forming SaskOilseeds (previously SaskCanola and SaskFlax) is calling for farmer nominations for its Board of Directors. Applications are due Sept 30, 2024. More details are available here.

PEST SURVEY and MAPPING:  
Each year, surveyors conduct field visits to gather information for insect survey and population maps in Alberta. In addition, producers can fill out this online Cutworm web submission form to report the location and other details about suspected cutworm finds. Use this interactive map of Alberta to view Cutworm survey results. 

AGRISERVICE BC CROP AND LIVESTOCK REPORTER PROGRAM:
Following successful crop reporting programs in Alberta and Saskatchewan, BC in July launched a Crop and Livestock Reporter tool that allows producers or allied tradespeople (agronomists, etc) to contribute timely, local ag intel to raise awareness of growing conditions throughout BC and support ag info sharing. Participants are asked to submit responses weekly to five-minute online surveys on a variety of agronomic factors from rainfall and soil moisture to seeding, crop development and harvest progress. No identifying information from crop reporters will be shared. For more info, click here. 

CROP DIAGNOSTICS
Canola Council agronomy specialists and other provincial canola specialists are available to help diagnose issues in crops. However, they need adequate information and good photographs to be able to provide meaningful advice. Here are photography tips and good guidelines for submitting samples.

NEW SCLEROTINIA RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL
You might have seen CCC agronomy specialist and sclerotinia lead, Chris Manchur, on a recent episode of RealAg’s The Agronomists discussing our new sclerotinia risk assessment tool. If not, here’s a link to view the broadcast. The new tool offers a recommendation about whether or not to spray a canola crop (at 20-50 per cent flower) and an opportunity to assess the spray decision by rating disease severity at maturity (30-60 per cent seed colour change.) It also features an economic calculator and a helpful sclerotinia resource library. Check it out today at CanolaCalculator.ca.

OPPORTUNITY
Contribute to valuable research by collecting sclerotia in canola: A new research project examining whether sclerotinia in canola has developed fungicide tolerance needs field samples. Samples from 100 fields are needed in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Please collect sclerotia or 2-5 infected stem-pieces in canola fields after harvest, then ship using the address and other information in this pdf. If you have questions, email AAFC Research Scientist Lone.Buchwaldt@agr.gc.ca. Thanks in advance for your help!

RESOURCE:
University of Manitoba Faculty Conversation: “What bugs a farmer’s crops? Assessing damage in canola” – Recording now available here. A conversation with researchers Alejandro Costamagna, Héctor Cárcamo and Canola Council agronomy specialist Keith Gabert on flea beetles and lygus bugs.

RESOURCE:
Cleanfarms’ ag plastic recycling: click here for what to recycle and where. Click here for more information about recycling large tote bags.

RESOURCE:
Tick Tactics: Understanding and avoiding ticks – a new podcast from Real Agriculture featuring Dr. Curtis Russell of Public Health Ontario (PHO).

RESOURCE:
Keep it Clean 2024 Product Advisory Webinar – Recording now available here.
Watch the webinar for an overview of the crop protection product and crop combinations that may cause market risks for the 2024 growing season.

RESOURCE:
Subscribe to SaskCanola’s texting service
To receive weekly oilseed market outlook reports and canola agronomy resources, subscribe to SaskCanola’s texting service; sent 2-3 times per week by text depending on season and issues. You may unsubscribe at any time. Have questions for SaskCanola? Farmers can also text the number to initiate a two-way conversation with SaskCanola’s staff. Click here for details on how to subscribe.

RESOURCE:
Read this Canola Research Hub blog: Thirteen new projects underway for CARP in 2024

SUPPORT:
Are you or is someone you know feeling burnt out, unreasonably stressed or exhausted? Help is available.
– Support lines by province 
– Do More Ag Foundation
– Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program

SAFETY: Think safety first. Farm safety resources are available from the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association.