The Manitoba Canola Growers is offering its members a free blackleg gene test.

Better gene classification will help growers match blackleg-resistant canola varieties to races of the fungus found in the field. Members can qualify for one free test each.

MCGA is offering the tests, which ordinarily cost $200, under the Pest Surveillance Initiative, which the group is a founding supporter of.

MCGA says there are several steps to follow to get the best results from the testing:

Step 1: Collect 10-20 plants from five sites along a ‘W’ pattern in your field (50-100 total) following the sampling guidelines found on the PSI website.

Step 2: Email [email protected] to claim your code for your free test.

Step 3: Visit PSI lab website, select blackleg and enter in your code and email. Click apply code. Check the three consent boxes at the bottom of the page and click ‘Make Payment.’

Step 4: You will receive an email explaining detailed shipping instructions. Package up your plant material into a padded envelope or small box to protect plant material and ship to address shared.

Step 5: Wait for your results. Results typically take around four weeks and will be returned to you via email.