Monday, January 30, 2012
CanoLAB 3-D is a unique chance to see what real canola plants look like when they are suffering from various stresses at different growth stages. The interactive and hands-on lab will run March 5 and 6 at Hole’s new Enjoy Centre in St. Albert, Alberta. Registration opens February 6 at 9:00 a.m. MST. Space is limited to 100 people per day, and spots will fill fast.
“This is a one of a kind opportunity to witness beneficial insects in action, see what blackleg looks like up close, look at symptoms from herbicide residue and spray timing, see what boron deficiency looks like, and understand the process involved with field diagnostics,” says Dan Orchard, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada (CCC). “Accurate diagnostics is essential for making profitable canola management decisions in the field.”
The CCC and Alberta Canola Producers Commission offer CanoLAB 3-D in cooperation with the University of Alberta and the Enjoy Centre. Agronomists, government extension staff, growers and anyone else involved in canola production are welcome. Attendees will be divided into small groups and rotate stations throughout the day.
“We want to keep the groups small so people have a chance to see everything up close and ask all the questions they want to ask,” Orchard says.
University of Alberta provided greenhouse space and staff to grow several hundred canola plants and expose them to various treatments at multiple stages. These treatments include fertility, insects, disease, environmental stresses, and herbicide issues. Plants will be moved to the Enjoy Centre facility in time for CanoLAB.
CanoLAB instructors include Murray Hartman, Scott Meers and Ron Howard from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Stephen Strelkov, Lloyd Dosdall and Adam Blake from University of Alberta, Emile deMilliano and Norm Flore from Viterra, Jack Payne of Olds College, Jennifer Otani, Neil Harker and Eric Johnson from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Ralph Lange from Alberta Innovates. CCC agronomists will be on hand to facilitate the sessions.
Attendees choose one day. Registration begins at 8:30 and sessions end around 4:30. Cost is $125 per person. Registration forms will be posted at the Alberta Canola Producers Commission website, www.canola.ab.ca, February 6 at 9:00 a.m. MST.
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Media may contact:
Dan Orchard
Agronomy Specialist
Canola Council of Canada
orchardd@canolacouncil.org
780-777-9923
