Surveying for Parasites of Swede Midge in Ontario

Co-authored with Dr. Rebecca Hallett and Charles-Étienne Ferland (MSc Candidate), University of Guelph   Swede midge continues to pose a significant threat to canola production in Ontario. Based on farmers’ experience with the pest and the difficulty of controlling swede midge through insecticide applications alone, it is clear that multiple tactics are required for successful […]

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Swede Midge Advisory – Consider Canola Growth Stage

Authored by: Tracey Baute, Meghan Moran, OMAFRA and Dr. Rebecca Hallett, University of Guelph Swede midge populations are high this year while the canola crop is still quite young.  Despite trap captures already reaching the accumulated trap threshold of 20 midges total, there are a few things to consider before deciding to spraying this early: […]

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Swede midge beyond threshold in many regions

Planting canola early is the best way to beat swede midge. Canola was planted late across much of the province this spring, so the risk for damage by swede midge is very high. This year swede midge are present long before bolting, and in some regions even before planting was complete. It is important to […]

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Clubroot in Ontario Canola

In the summer of 2016, clubroot disease was found throughout a field of canola in the Verner area of West Nipissing. Clubroot has been established in Brassica vegetable crops in Ontario for a number of years, but this was the first time the disease was confirmed in Ontario canola. Above ground symptoms of clubroot include […]

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Update on Swede Midge in Western Canada

We have all heard, or seen firsthand, the devastating effects of high populations of swede midge. Research continues on the pest, but at this time there are not many advancements to report that will provide big steps forward in swede midge control. Managing this pest requires investment in pheromone traps and possibly multiple insecticide treatments, […]

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2014 Canola Harvest – Managing Crops with Varied Maturity

By Brian Hall, OMAF/MRA, Stratford Many 2014 canola crops had a markedly varied emergence. Variable soil moisture conditions, lack of rain, uneven seeding depth and/or deep seeding were all were major factors in when canola emerged this year. For growers this could mean maturity variations and challenges at harvest. When managing these fields, harvest management […]

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Direct Harvest: Do you need a desiccant or a pre-harvest glyphosate?

By Brian Hall, OMAF/MRA,  Stratford Green stalks, weeds and uneven ripening can all be a problem at harvest. Late season rains following a extended dry period can often result in canola stalks staying green or result in canola regrowth further delaying harvest. Desiccants or pre-harvest glyphosate products can help with timely defoliation and reduce yield […]

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FLEA BEETLES ON THE MOVE

As temperatures warm up, flea beetles are emerging and on the move. Feeding damage is evident in early emerged canola. Peak emergence from overwintering sites occurs once soil temperatures reaches 150  C (60 0  F). Depending on temperatures, flea beetles can take up to 3 weeks for all adults to emerge. Adults emerge overwinter in […]

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