Canola Community Connections

EVENT SOON:
Final Saskatchewan Disease Training Day: 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 participate in the final event in Yorkton, SK on September 12 (bonus: CCC agronomy specialists Warren Ward and Breanna Miller will be joining)

PROGRAM:
The Canadian Grain Commission’s voluntary Harvest Sample Program will accept harvest samples of canola and other grains until November 30. In exchange for submitting canola samples, growers get: (1) unofficial grade*, (2) dockage assessment and (3) oil, protein and chlorophyll content. The CGC uses submitted samples to generate quality and safety data that helps marketers promote domestic and international sales of Canadian grain, evaluate the effectiveness of grading factors, and conduct scientific research to mitigate grain quality and grain safety issues. *The grade provided through the Harvest Sample Program is unofficial because samples aren’t collected by a Canadian Grain Commission inspector. Click here for sample kits and more information.

OPPORTUNITY:
A new research project examining whether sclerotinia has developed fungicide resistance is looking for field samples from across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. If you have sclerotinia in your fields, collect sclerotia or infected stems (easiest to collect during or directly after harvest/swathing) and ship to the address found in this pdf, along with other collection information. If you have any questions, please contact project lead Lone Buchwaldt or CCC’s sclerotinia lead Chris Manchur . Thanks in advance for your help!

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)

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.

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.

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.

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

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: Identify verticillium stripe as the first step to effective management

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.