July 18, 2008

Canadian rapeseed crop conditions vary widely

Rapeseed crop conditions in Western Canada ranged anywhere from poor to excellent during the week ended July 16, according to the Canadian Rapeseed Council's weekly crop report.

Early seeded crops were in the final flower-early pod stage of development while late and re-seeded crops were in the early flowering phase, the report said.

Weather conditions during the reporting period were equally diverse, with some areas having received only trace amounts of rainfall while others were saturated. In Manitoba's Interlake region excessive moisture was stressing some fields while in the southwestern area of the province fields were reported as being too dry. Fields in the Peace River region of Northern Alberta continue to be "critically dry" and in dire need of rainfall, the report said.

Hail was reported in parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Diamondback moths were reported in areas of Saskatchewan while root maggots were present in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Also, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found swede midge near Yorkton, Saskatchewan.