August 21, 2009
Canola crops in western Canada need more hot days
A few days of summery temperatures blessed a number of the canola-growing regions of western Canada, accelerating crop development, the Canola Council of Canada said in a crop update for the week ended Wednesday (Aug 19).
However, more warm weather is needed to help crop growth.
Rainfall was common across much of western Canada as well during the reporting period. Rainfall amounts generally averaged one to two inches but some areas reported much more: three to five inches in parts of northern Manitoba, up to five inches in northern Saskatchewan and up to seven inches in isolated Alberta locations.
Crop damage was reportedly severe in isolated Saskatchewan locations and in some fields in Manitoba, the CCC said.
Parts of central and northeastern Alberta received no rain as dry conditions persisted in those areas.
Lygus populations continue to be monitored in the Peace Region of Alberta and British Columbia and in southern Alberta, the report said.
Grasshoppers appear to be migrating into canola fields to feed on pods in the drier parts of southwestern Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan, the CCC said.
High numbers of flea beetles have also been observed in eastern Saskatchewan.
