Science

Night spraying outperforms dawn for weed management

On average, herbicides were most effective when applied in the daytime, and night spraying gave better results than dawn application.

Science Edition 2015—Key practice: Midday herbicide applications are most effective for canola; midnight application for grassy weeds. Project title, Lead researcher: “Night spraying — Pesticide efficacy with night time application (2012-14),” Ken Coles, Farming Smarter Grower organization funder: ACPC Any reduction in herbicide efficacy quickly impacts the return on input investment. With the short Prairie growing season,...

Science

Feasibility of growing winter types of Brassica rapa in Alberta

Science Edition 2015—Key practice: Growers in southern Alberta may want to consider winter B. rapa as a suitable alternative to hybrid spring canola (B. napus), which could be a good fit with other winter crops grown there, especially winter wheat. Project title, Lead researcher: “Evaluation of winter Brassica rapa for cultivation in Alberta,” 2007-11, Habibur Rahman, University...

Science

Glyphosate-resistant kochia survey

Science Edition 2015—Key practice: Taking action to manage glyphosate-resistant kochia before it is visible in the field is critical to success. Use a rotation of broadleaf control products with good activity on kochia. Project title, Lead researcher: “Glyphosate-resistant kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad.) in Saskatchewan and Manitoba,” 2013-14, Hugh Beckie, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Grower organization...

Science

Spraying for weevils reduces lygus bugs and increases yield

It is important to periodically scout for these insects with a sweep net starting at late bud stage, and also to consult economic threshold charts to determine the need for insecticidal control.

Science Edition 2015—Key practice: Managing cabbage seedpod weevils (when they reach thresholds) with a single insecticide application at early flower stage can reduce pod-stage abundance of lygus bugs and may increase yield by an average of 1.5 bu./ac. Project title, Lead researcher: “Management of lygus bugs and seedpod weevil in canola at the farm level,” 2010-14, Hector...

Science

Long-term no-till improves early N availability

Science Edition 2015—Key Practice: With longer periods under no-till management, soil organic matter may attain a new equilibrium level, and nitrogen (N) mineralization may increase. This can result in lower N requirements. Project Title, Lead researcher: “Quantifying the economic and soil quality benefits of long-term no-till using a canola-spring wheat rotation,” 2012-14, Christiane Catellier and Chris Holzapfel,...