Dennis Rogoza, Sales Agronomist

The Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) is offering its members one free diagnostic test for each of the following crop pests in canola:   clubroot, blackleg and glyphosate-resistant kochia.  The total value of the testing is $450.  Testing will be done by the Pest Surveillance Initiative (PSI) lab in Winnipeg.  It is the hope of MCGA that getting tested will help growers maximize their net income on the farm.

There is a step-by-step process for collecting samples and submitting to PSI for testing, along with claiming a member code from MCGA.  Please visit www.mbpestlab.ca for complete details of this special offer from MCGA.

Clubroot has been found in Manitoba and can cause significant economic yield losses as spore levels multiply.  PSI uses DNA testing that can detect low levels of clubroot, before symptoms may be visible.

Blackleg is a serious disease of canola and yield losses can occur when disease isolates in the field overcome the genetic resistance of the variety grown.  Testing will identify the race of blackleg in the field, so that canola varieties with resistance gene(s) to that race can be selected.

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) kochia is an emerging threat in Manitoba canola fields.  Kochia is a prolific seed producer and very competitive with the crop.  PSI uses a DNA-based test for GR kochia that analyzes green material to test for resistance.  Growers should manage resistant plants before seed is set and spread.

Please visit with your Shur-Gro agronomist for more information about these canola pests and advice on management strategies.

by Dennis Rogoza, Sales Agronomist

New cases of clubroot have been confirmed in Manitoba in 2018, with the latest distribution map for the province available at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/plant-diseases/clubroot-distribution-in-manitoba.html.  Plants with suspicious symptoms can be sent to the Manitoba Agriculture Crop Diagnostic Centre and soil samples can be sent to the Plant Surveillance Initiative Lab in Winnipeg (go to www.mbpestlab.ca for information on submitting a sample).  Soil samples should be taken near approaches to fields where equipment would usually enter.  These are also the same areas where the first plant symptoms are most likely to occur.

The resting spores of clubroot can survive for as long as 20 years in soil.  Disease development is enhanced by moist conditions and soil temperatures in the 18 to 25⁰C range.  Spores can survive in soils with pH from 4.5 to 8.1.  Roots of infected plants form club-shaped galls which turn from white to brown as they mature.  Above ground symptoms are characterised by wilting, stunting, yellowing and premature ripening.

Clubroot spreads through the movement of infested soil.  Reducing soil movement on and between farms is crucial to limiting the spread of clubroot.  Good sanitation for farm equipment should be utilized.  A rough cleaning to remove loose and clinging soil is a good first step.  A wire brush and compressed air will assist with cleaning.  This will remove as much as 90% of soil, and an additional pass with a pressure washer will remove almost 99% of soil and debris.  Spraying farm equipment with a 1% bleach solution is the most intensive level of sanitation.  Working infested fields last, not working fields when the soil is wet, and asking custom operators to practice good sanitation will help reduce field-to-field soil movement.

A crop rotation of at least 3 years between canola crops and good control of alternate hosts such as wild mustard, stinkweed, and shepherd’s-purse will decrease the chances of clubroot establishing in a field.  Clubroot resistant canola varieties add another tool to an integrated management plan for clubroot.

Please visit with your Shur-Gro agronomist for more information about clubroot and advice on management strategies.

If not “Weed of the Year” in 2018, kochia certainly is a strong contender.  With a relatively dry spring and hot dry summer, conditions were ideal for kochia growth.  Not only is kochia a very competitive weed, it also has developed widespread resistance to Group 2 herbicides and increasing concern for resistance to glyphosate (Group 9) and auxin-based herbicides (Group 4).  In addition, kochia is a very prolific seed producer.

Selecting an effective chemical treatment, especially one based upon multiple modes of action is an important consideration to achieving good kochia control.  Use recommended rates with high water volumes for best coverage.  Reducing the sprayer speed and lowering the boom height will ensure the proper rate is applied and that weeds and/or soil are well covered.  Make certain to practise herbicide rotation to allow for different chemistries and modes of action to be used.  This will help delay the onset of weed resistance.  Utilize herbicide layering i.e. apply a soil-active herbicide that kills weeds as they emerge followed by a foliar in-crop product that controls growing weeds.  Several pre-seed products are also now available that offer a combination of unique modes of action.

Don’t overlook cultural control practices in your battle with kochia.  Kochia does very well in alkaline or saline soils where moisture carries salinity to the soil surface.  Consider forages in these areas to use up moisture and compete with kochia.  Use narrower row spacing for your crop as this will help suppress kochia growth.  Try to cut out kochia patches before they produce viable seed.  Baling patches after seed becomes viable may result in seed dispersal during manure application.

Please contact your local Shur-Gro agronomist for assistance in developing a strategy for kochia control in your crops.

Growers should consider “herbicide layering” as a strategy to help manage herbicide resistance.  This practice involves using a pre-emergent herbicide prior to an in-crop herbicide application. This program allows for multiple modes of action to be utilized.  In addition, pre-emergent weed control gets the crop off to a fast, clean start to help maximize yield potential.

Avadex MicroActiv, Fortress MicroActiv and Edge Granular pre-emergent herbicides add 6 – 8 weeks of residual control, giving control of flushing weeds and a layer of protection in case post-emergent herbicide application gets delayed.  Control of any escapes is also made easier.

Avadex MicroActiv is a Group 8 granular pre-emergent herbicide that can be used for spring wheat, barley, canary seed and peas.  The product controls wild oats including Group 1 and Group 2 resistant biotypes.  Other benefits include reduction in early-season weed pressure and more flexibility with timing post-emergent herbicide application.  Avadex MicroActiv can be applied in fall after Oct. 1 and when soil temperature at a depth of two inches is 4 °C or less and within 3 weeks of soil freeze-up.  A single heavy harrow pass is sufficient incorporation in minimum or zero-till fields.  Avadex MicroActiv can be used in conventional tillage, but should be applied after fall tillage then incorporated with a single harrow pass.  Fall rate is 12.5 to 15 lbs/ac.

Fortress MicroActiv is a Group 3 and Group 8 granular pre-emergent herbicide that can be used for spring wheat, barley, canola and flax.  The product provides control of wild oats, green and yellow foxtail, as well as suppression of kochia, redroot pigweed, wild buckwheat, lamb’s quarters, and Russian thistle.  Fortress MicroActiv can be applied in fall after Oct. 1 and when soil temperature at a depth of two inches is 4 °C or less and within 3 weeks of soil freeze-up.  A single heavy harrow pass is sufficient incorporation in minimum or zero-till fields.  Fortress MicroActiv can be used in conventional tillage, but should be applied after fall tillage then incorporated with a single harrow pass.  Fall rate for wheat and barley is 10 to 12.5 lbs/ac.  Fall rate for canola and flax is 12.5 to 15 lbs/ac.

Edge Granular, a Group 3 pre-emergent herbicide can be used for soybeans, canola, peas, dry beans, sunflowers, alfalfa (establishment) and hemp.  The product will provide early weed removal and residual control of grassy and broadleaf weeds.  Edge Granular will control kochia, wild buckwheat, redroot pigweed, lamb’s quarters, cow cockle, chickweed, purslane, corn spurry, barnyard grass, as well as green and yellow foxtails.  Weeds suppressed include wild oats, cleavers, hemp-nettle, lady’s-thumb, Russian thistle, and volunteer wheat and barley.  Edge Granular can be applied in fall after Oct. 1 and when soil temperature at a depth of two inches is 4 °C or less and within 3 weeks of soil freeze-up.  For zero or minimum-till, a surface application and light harrowing will provide optimum control.  Fall rate is 20 to 25 lbs/ac.

(For conventional tillage Edge Granular can be applied starting on September 15^th.  Edge should be applied before the tillage operation and the worked in with a disc or cultivator to your normal working depth.  A second incorporation should be done on a right angle either a minimum of 3 days later or the following spring to ensure even distribution through the top of the soil.)

Tips for successful application:

• Product rates are determined by % organic matter of the soil.
• Complete any fallwork in the field. Harrow heavy trash or large clods before application.  Do not apply on burnt fields.
• Apply using a floater or Valmar and incorporate using a heavy harrow.
• Harrow again in spring if time allows. This helps to warm the soil and provide a uniform treated layer.
• Apply pre-seed glyphosate to address early emerging weeds.
• Plant the crop, followed by post-emergent control (if necessary).
• Please refer to specific product labels before use.

Please visit with your local Shur-Gro Sales Agronomist to learn more about the advantages of pre-emergent weed control.

by Dennis Rogoza, Sales Agronomist

We would like to encourage our customers to book their fall soil testing early, so that we can get on fields right after combining.  Sampling at this time gives the best quality sample and the best data.

It was previously believed that additional N would be converted to nitrate in the fall, as grain straw decomposed.  We now know that because of the high carbon content of small grain straw, it takes a long time for straw N to convert to nitrate.  In reality, soil nitrate levels after small grain harvest are quite stable through the fall.  Sampling right after harvest will provide accurate soil N data to develop recommendations for next year’s crop.

Some other advantages for earlier sampling include:

• A more consistent sample core can be obtained before fall tillage. This will result in a more accurate analysis for P, K, Zn and % organic matter.
• Getting results back early to develop fall N fertilizer rates.
• Assessment of soluble salts and carbonates to guide field selection for soybeans.
• Ensuring fields get done and not missed due to weather issues in the fall.

Please call your local Shur-Gro Agronomist now, to book your fall soil tests “right behind the combine”.

Pre-Harvest Weed Control Tips

Pre-harvest weed control with glyphosate is very effective for the control of perennial weeds such as Canada thistle, perennial sow-thistle, quackgrass and dandelion.

Pre-harvest weed control also provides significant harvest management benefits such as quicker drydown, more uniform maturity, increased combine efficiency and earlier harvest.

Registered crops include wheat, barley, oats, canola, flax and peas.  Application to crops should occur when moisture content is 30% or less.  In cereals, this is at the hard dough stage when a thumbnail impression will remain on the kernel.  In flax and peas, the majority of bolls and pods are brown.

Best weed control is achieved when Canada thistle and perennial sow-thistle are sprayed at or beyond the bud stage.  Quackgrass control is best when there are 4 to 5 or more green leaves.  To control dandelion, plants should be actively growing and at the bud to bloom stage.  (Dandelion may be more effectively controlled with a post-harvest treatment due to better coverage and translocation.)

Post-Harvest Weed Control Tips

Post-harvest weed control is another great opportunity to clean up fields and prepare for next year’s crop.

Glyphosate is commonly used in post-harvest weed control programs, however with the increasing concern for glyphosate-resistant weed development, growers should be utilizing multiple modes of action.

Glyphosate tank-mixes with Express SG or Inferno allow recropping to cereals, canola, flax and soybeans next season.  For residual control of broadleaved weeds, Express Pro tank-mixed with glyphosate or PrePass XC will be effective.  Only cereals can be recropped next spring after the application of these two products.  Paradigm is another option for post-harvest application which offers “Just Go” benefits and multiple modes of action, mix Paradigm with glyphosate,  recrop to wheat or barley next spring.

New options for post-harvest weed control include Heat or Distinct tank-mixed with glyphosate.  These products provide different modes of action and broad-spectrum control.  Check product labels for recropping options as these vary by the date of the post-harvest application.

With weed and disease control generally being completed on most fields, growers have an excellent opportunity to do some “Crop CSI”.  Field observations made at this time of year can help uncover any problems and direct future improvements to crop production strategies.  Some of the key areas to pay attention to include:

• Stand Establishment: Are your crops even and uniform?  If not, perhaps adjustment to seeding equipment may be required.  Possibly seed quality or not using a seed treatment is the issue.
• Fertility: Are there yellowy streaks or areas of poor crop development?  Fertilizer application or rates may be in question.  Be sure to check for good nodulation in soybeans.
• Weed Control:  Have all herbicides performed well or are there escapes?  Do the escapes occur in patterns i.e. suggesting problems in application.  Get the escaping weeds identified, so that a better herbicide option can be used.  Check suspicious patches for development of weed resistance and make arrangements for seed collection to do a resistance test.  Make note of potential weeds that should be looked after in a pre-harvest application.  Keep fall timing in mind for post-harvest herbicides such as PrePass, Avadex, and Edge.
• Disease Control: Compare sprayed areas with any checks to verify level of control.  You may be able to detect fusarium head blight or sclerotinia symptoms especially in a bad disease year.  Be sure to check plant roots in suspicious areas for presence of root rots or clubroot.
• Insect Scouting: Summer months can bring unwanted guests to your fields such as Bertha armyworm, diamond-back moths, and lygus bugs in canola.  Soybeans may be threatened with aphids or spider mites.  Do regular checks to monitor for outbreaks.
• Varietal Performance: Keep notes on plant stature i.e. height, tendency to lodge, podding height.  Are there differences in susceptibility to disease?  These observations can help guide you with future varietal selection.

Remember to keep good records and notes of your field observations so that you can act upon the issues you have identified.  Good luck with your Crop CSI and please contact your local Shur-Gro or Munro agronomist for assistance with your investigations!

Fungicides

Cotegra (BASF), SRP $21.73 – $24.83/ac (9.8 L jug treats 35 – 40 ac)

• boscalid (Group 7) pre-formulated with prothioconazole (Group 3)
• brings together the actives in Lance and Proline
• for sclerotinia and white mold control in canola and pulses including soybeans
• apply at early flowering prior to disease development
• convenient liquid formulation

Dyax (BASF), SRP $22.99/ac (9.6 L jug treats 60 ac)

• pyraclostrobin (Group 11) and fluxapyroxad (Xemium, Group 7) for disease control in pulses including soybeans
• increased levels of (fluxapyroxad) for improved disease control
• apply at start of flowering

Nexicor (BASF), SRP $12.70/ac (8 L jug treats 40 ac)

• pyraclostrobin (Group 11), fluxapyroxad (Group 7), and propiconazole (Group 3) for disease control in cereals and canola
• broad-spectrum leaf disease control in cereals applied at stem elongation to early heading. Blackleg control in canola applied at 2 to 6 leaf stage.

Trivapro (Syngenta), SRP $15.79/ac (1 case treats 40 ac)

• azoxystrobin (Group 11), benzovindiflupyr (Solatenol, Group 7), and propiconazole (Group 3) for disease control in cereals and soybeans
• broad-spectrum leaf disease control in cereals applied at early flag leaf stage
• disease control in soybeans applied at first sign of disease

Elatus (Syngenta), SRP $20.02/ac (1 case treats 40 ac)

• azoxystrobin (Group 11) and benzovindiflupyr (Group 7) for disease control in pulses including soybeans
• maximum of one application at the beginning of flowering

Delaro (Bayer), SRP $21.70/ac – peas (7.1 L jug treats 20 ac),  SRP $14.47/ac – soybeans (7.1 L jug treats 30 ac)

• prothioconazole (Group 3) and trifloxystrobin (Group 11) for disease control in pulses including soybeans
• broad-spectrum disease control for all major pulse and soybean stem, leaf and pod diseases
• apply at the beginning of flowering or at first sign of disease

Prosaro XTR (Bayer), SRP $21.22/ac (6.5 L jug treats 20 ac)

• prothioconazole and tebuconazole (Group 3s) for disease control in cereals, the addition of mefenpyr-diethyl enhances the crop’s defense system
• broad-spectrum leaf disease control and suppression of fusarium head blight
• helps plants mitigate the effects of environmental stresses resulting in higher yield performance vs. regular Prosaro

Note:  Please refer to specific product labels before use.

Pre-seed Burndown

Paradigm (Corteva), SRP $6.44/ac (0.8 kg jug treats 106 ac)

• Group 2+4 for spring wheat, winter wheat, and barley
• prior to seeding and no later than 48 hrs after seeding
• 15 days residual control
• mix with any glyphosate product

Blackhawk (Nufarm), SRP $6.25/ac (9 L jug treats 30 ac)

• prior to seeding cereals (apply 7 days prior to seeding oats)
• contains pyraflufen (Group 14) and 2,4-D ester (Group 4)
• mix with glyphosate

Conquer (Nufarm), SRP $7.40/ac (1 case treats 80 ac)

• pre-seed weed control for canola
• carfentrazone (Group 14) and bromoxynil (Group 6), mix with glyphosate
• controls volunteer canola as well as Group 2+9 resistant weed biotypes

Aim (FMC), SRP $3.90 – $7.74/ac (2 L jug treats 67 – 133 ac)

• pre-seed for cereals, pulses, and canola
• carfentrazone (Group 14), mix with glyphosate
• can mix with 2,4-D (cereals), MCPA (flax or peas), bromoxynil (canola)

Command (FMC), SRP $7.99/ac (5.4 L jug treats 40 ac)

• pre-seed weed control for canola
• clomazone (Group 13), mix with glyphosate
• pre-emergent control of cleavers, does not control cleavers already emerged

Focus (FMC), SRP $16.31 – $24.71/ac (4.5 L jug treats 33 – 50 ac)

• pre-seed or pre-emergence for spring wheat, winter wheat, soybeans, and corn
• carfentrazone (Group 14) and pyroxasulfone (Group15)
• rate is 33-50 ac/jug. Use higher rate when organic matter is 4-7%, low rate when it is 1-4%
• controls both grassy and broadleaf weeds. Grassy weeds controlled include barnyard grass, green and yellow foxtail, downy and Japanese brome. Wild oats and foxtail barley are suppressed.  Broadleaf weeds controlled include cleavers, redroot pigweed, and wormseed mustard.  Kochia, wild buckwheat, wild mustard, and lamb’s quarters are suppressed.
• soil incorporation is not required, a minimum of 0.5 inch rainfall will get herbicide into solution and available for uptake by weeds
• tank mix with glyphosate for faster burndown of emerged weeds
• spring wheat (not durum), soybeans, and field corn can be grown in the spring following a fall application or next growing season after a spring application

Broadleaf Herbicides

Cirpreme (Corteva), SRP $10.45/ac (1 case treats 80 ac)

• for wheat and barley
• co-pak of Paradigm and Lontrel for annual and perennial broadleaf weed control including dandelion, Canada thistle and narrow-leaved hawk’s-beard
• MCPA ester tank-mix recommended to enhance broadleaf weed control
• mixes with Simplicity GoDRI, Axial, and Everest
• use Agral 90 surfactant with a Cirpreme and Simplicity GoDri tank-mix

Infinity FX (Bayer), SRP $12.52/ac (1 case treats 40 ac)

• co-pak of Infinity (Group 6+27) and fluroxypyr (Group 4) for broad-leaved weed control in wheat and barley
• provides enhanced control of cleavers, kochia and volunteer flax vs. Infinity
• mixes with Varro, Axial, Puma Advance, and Liquid Achieve

Travallas (FMC), SRP $11.70/ac (8 L jug treats 40 ac)

• Group 2 (actives from Refine SG and Ally) plus fluroxypyr (Group 4) for broad-leaved weed control in wheat and barley
• liquid formulation
• mixes with Axial, Simplicity, and Everest

Grass Herbicides

Everest 3.0 (Arysta)/Sierra 3.0 (Syngenta), SRP $20.33/ac/$22.10/ac (3.88 L jug treats 80 ac, wild oat rate)

• new formulations of Everest and Sierra for grass control in spring, durum and winter wheat
• same acres/jug, staging, and tank-mixes as Everest 2.0 and Sierra 2.0
• requires the addition of a non-ionic surfactant

Grass/Broadleaf Herbicides

Rexade (Corteva), SRP $30.95/ac (1 case treats 40 ac)

• co-pak of Rexade A – Simplicity GoDRI/Arylex and Rexade B – 2,4-D ester
• for broadleaf and grass control in spring and winter wheat
• an adjuvant is not required with Rexade

Luxxur (Bayer), SRP $19.80/ac (1 case treats 40 ac)

• Group 2 broadleaf active (tribenuron) co-packed with Group 2 grass active thiencarbazone (Varro)
• for broadleaf and grass weed control in spring wheat
• can be tankmixed with 2,4-D ester, MCPA ester, Buctril M, Infinity, Infinity FX, Octtain, Pixxaro, Paradigm, Prestige, Stellar, Trophy

Predicade (FMC), SRP $30.04/ac (1 case treats 40 ac)

• Group 2 broadleaf actives, tribenuron and thifensulfuron co-packed with Group 4 broadleaf actives fluroxypyr and MCPA ester plus the Group 2 graminicide thiencarbazone (Varro)
• for broadleaf and grass weed control in spring wheat

Adjuvants

HiActivate (WinField United), SRP $1.50/ac for 10 US gpa application        (10 L jug treats 1000 US gal)

• non-ionic spreader/activator in a low-foaming formulation
• 90% surfactant blend
• improves the properties of spray droplets for increased adhesion and wetting, resulting in enhanced pesticide absorption and efficacy

InterLock (WinField United), SRP $1.50 – $2.25/ac for 10 US gpa application (10 L jug treats 80 – 120 ac, 100 ac is common)

• crop-based adjuvant improves spray droplet coverage and helps droplets stay on target
• reduces the amount of fine particles in the spray pattern
• improves canopy penetration
• reduces drift and evaporation of spray droplets
• use higher rate for drift reduction
• works effectively with herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, dessicants and defoliants

Note:  Please refer to specific product labels before use.