a diamondback moth on a green leaf

Diamondback moths near threshold for canola, root rot in soybeans reported

Manitoba Insect & Disease Update for July 5

Thistle caterpillar has been noted in some soybean and sunflower fields. Some levels of diamondback moth larvae approaching threshold have been noted in some canola fields in the southwest. There have been additional reports of suspected Phytophthora root rot in soybean. Growers in the western part of Manitoba are considering whether or not to make a fungicide application for

Warm temps make for good growth, crop insect and disease stress seen low

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report for July 4, 2017

Precipitation amounts are below average for much of the province. Crops in the Southwest Region and the western part of the Central region would benefit from moisture. Crops in most regions are in good to excellent condition. Warmer temperatures are improving growth of warm season crops. Insect and disease pressure remains low in field crops.


Apothecia are small golf tee-like structures that release the sclerotinia spores that can infect canola crops.

Decision time on sclerotinia control in canola not far off

There’s lots to consider, including the value of the crop and the disease risk

In Manitoba the potential for major canola yield losses due to sclerotinia exists every year with weather being the main driver. Farmers will soon have to decide whether to apply a prophylactic fungicide or not. “The (sclerotinia) inoculum is always there (in Manitoba) so the part of the disease triangle to consider is the environment

Four canola diseases to watch for

Four canola diseases to watch for

Is that canola crop afflicted by blackleg, root rot, both, or something else entirely? It’s a messy question farmers and agronomists encounter every year. Presenters tried to untangle those problems at CanoLAB in Vermilion this winter. Here are four diseases to watch for in canola fields this summer, and tips on diagnosing them.


Sclerotinia risks remain high for Manitoba canola producers.

Sclerotinia biggest issue for Manitoba canola growers in 2016

The annual disease survey found this perennial challenge is still the biggest issue for farmers

Sclerotinia was the biggest issue for Manitoba canola growers last year, according to results from the 2016 disease survey. It showed that over 90 per cent of the 105 Manitoba fields surveyed had some level of sclerotinia infection. The incidence of the disease – the number of plants infected in the field – was between

The rise of the 777 sunflower rust race

The rise of the 777 sunflower rust race

If it seems like rust is becoming a bigger problem for Manitoba sunflower crops, that’s because it is. Researchers have identified a new virulent race of sunflower rust that made up nearly two-thirds of the rust cases in Manitoba during the 2016 growing season. Left unchecked, the disease deprives the plant of nutrients, and can


BrettYoung’s Eric Gregory and (l to r) DL Seeds’ Kevin McCallum and Sakaria Liban in the DL Seeds screening greenhouse.

Homegrown canola breeder sees opportunities and challenges

BrettYoung and DL Seeds say they’ll continue to be a major player in canola breeding in Western Canada

A Manitoba-based canola-breeding consortium says the current wave of lifescience mergers isn’t necessarily bad news for them. Winnipeg’s BrettYoung and Morden’s DL Seeds, a joint venture of two of the largest European oilseed rape-breeding companies, have been working together for a number of years to bring canola hybrids to market. They’ve seen their market share

Sunflowers bloom near Gimli.

Sunflowers can be frustrating but profitable

Manitoba’s sunflower crop is holding its own but sclerotinia could still hit hard

Despite inclement weather and legions of lygus bugs, Manitoba’s sunflower crop is looking good this season — at least for now. “So far it’s OK, we’ll see about sclerotinia damage in the next while, I haven’t seen very much head rot yet, but we still have essentially six weeks to go for this crop,” said


Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: No. 17

Conditions as of August 22, 2016

Sporadic rainfall, high humidity and wet field conditions have slowed harvest progress in areas of Manitoba. However, harvest does continue as weather and field conditions allow. Winter wheat and fall rye harvest is complete. Winter wheat yields range from 50 to 100 bushels per acre, with an estimated provincial average of 75 bushels per acre.

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: No. 16

Conditions as of August 15, 2016

Crops are maturing rapidly across Manitoba. The 2016 harvest was slowed by the continuing wet conditions in some areas of Manitoba. However, harvest operations did occur where field and weather conditions allowed. Harvest of winter wheat, fall rye, spring wheat, barley, oats and field peas continues. To date, reported winter wheat yields range from 50