August 13, 2009
Canadian canola crops delayed, in need of heat
Canola crop development across western Canada remains highly varied, although most fields are behind normal growth and are in need of more heat, according to the latest crop report from the Canola Council of Canada, released Wednesday (August 12).
According to the report, crop development overall ranges from late bloom in the late and re-seeded fields to about 10 percent to 20 percent colour change in the earliest fields. The very earliest fields in southwestern Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan are about a week to 10 days from swathing, with the majority of the crop about two to three weeks from swathing.
Crop development continues to lag behind the long-term average by about one to two weeks, according to the report. Most areas would like to see five to 10 days of significant heat to hasten crop maturity and the absence of the first significant fall frost until at least mid to late September, said the Canola Council.
Relatively cool growing conditions prevailed during the previous week across most of western Canada, with overnight lows near freezing reported in some Alberta and Saskatchewan locations, according to the report.
The risk of an early fall frost and its impact on crop quality continues to be one of the greatest concerns, said the Canola Council. However, the cool temperatures at flowering have resulted in canola that has branched and podded well, creating the potential for average to perhaps even above-average yield in some areas where moisture has been adequate.
Timely rains fell in northwest and central Manitoba, eastern and northern Saskatchewan, and in central Alberta, and as well as in the Peace region of Alberta and British Colombia, the report said. However, dry areas still persist in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the drought stress symptoms are evident on the crops with large ground cracks obvious. In the driest areas, canola is being cut for hay or sprayed out to conserve fertilizer applied as crops continue to be written off by crop insurance, according to the report.
In Manitoba, excessive moisture remained a concern in eastern parts of the province and the Interlake, the report said.
