Winter canola acres in Ontario have been increasing since 2018. While research on the crop has been limited, some recommendations are outlined below based on experience with the crop in recent years and experience with spring canola in Ontario. Field Selection Fields should have good drainage and low clay content. Seeds may fail to emerge […]
Every spring, canola producers monitor new seedings hoping they will not see flea beetle. They are a familiar but unwelcome sight. A few resources have been brought together here to help with scouting and decision making on control measures. “Five Things to Know about Flea Beetle” from Canola watch by Canola Council of Canada (CCC) […]
In the 2018/2019 winter canola season, 17 fields were monitored to evaluate winter survival of winter canola, and to support expansion of regions that can access crop insurance for winter kill. Information was collected from producers on soil type, planting date, planting equipment, fall fertility, canola hybrid, and growth stage prior to a hard fall […]
Spring Canola Planting and Development Spring canola acreage in Ontario declined 25 per cent in 2019 compared to the previous year. Insured acres totaled just over 30,000 compared to approximately 40,000 in 2018. Five counties that grew canola in 2018 did not appear in the insured acreage statistics this year. Some producers were unable to […]
Jennifer and Mike Doelman farm near Douglas, Ontario where Mike spoke about their experience growing peaola at a recent Soil Network event. The Ontario Soil Network goal is improving Ontario’s Soils. Growing peaola is the intercropping of peas and canola together in the same field, at the same time. Figure 1 shows the Doelman’s 2019 […]
When canola fields are ready to harvest but the weather turns wet, plants may regrow. The lower canopy can set new branches and develop green tissue that makes harvest difficult. Pre-harvest herbicide application may improve harvest conditions; some details to keep in mind are outlined below. For starters, if the canola has already been swathed […]
Producers interested in growing winter canola should consider the herbicide history of their field, and the herbicide options open to them following winter wheat harvest. There are a number of restrictions, and some herbicide labels do not mention safety on canola. At this time (2024) there is only one winter canola variety that is registered […]
This article was written by Charles-Étienne Ferland, MSc Candidate, and Dr. Rebecca Hallett, University of Guelph A biological control agent is a beneficial insect that will help control populations of pest insects. Finding the right biological control agent is a bit like having guests over for dinner for the first time. If you’re not […]
Boron application at flowering is a common practice for Ontario canola growers. Canola has a higher requirement for boron than crops like wheat and barley, so it make sense to give canola a shot of this micro nutrient. Timing the application during reproductive stages makes sense too, because boron deficient plants have been shown to […]
This article was written by Meghan Moran (OMAFRA Canola & Edible Bean Specialist) , Travis Cranmer and Dennis Van Dyk (OMAFRA Vegetable Crop Specialists) There have been times growers and agronomists have asked, “What is this house fly-looking insect I am seeing in canola fields?” The flies were particularly abundant in some regions in 2017, and […]
Cabbage seedpod weevil (CSW) are being found in spring canola, particularly in earlier planted fields that are beginning to flower. CSW may begin to appear just prior to bolting and can primarily be found on flower buds until pods begin to form. They are approximately 3 to 4 mm in length and are fairly easy […]
Spring canola yields have been strong in Ontario in the past two years, but are we meeting our yield potential? Are there ways to profitably increase yields? In 2017 a trial was conducted by Deb Campbell of Agronomy Advantage Inc. and Darcy Martin on Darcy’s farm in Kenilworth, Ontario to test and demonstrate management practices […]
This article was written by Dr. Eric Page, Research Scientist in Weed Ecology, and Sydney Meloche, Weed Science Technician, AAFC Harrow Research and Development Center Soybean production in southwestern Ontario is increasingly challenging because of the presence of multiple glyphosate resistant weed species. Essex, Kent and Lambton counties have the unfortunate distinction of being home […]
The results from a soil survey and on-farm experiences in 2017 have shown that clubroot is widespread across Ontario; it is present in nearly all canola growing regions. To date approximately 130 soil samples have been taken from fields with a history of canola, and clubroot was detected in 12 samples. In addition, clubroot infected […]
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 […]