Saskatchewan Bulletin

Researching management tools and reducing long term market access risk

SaskCanola has partnered with Alberta Canola to lead a multi-project research initiative that will explore opportunities to strengthen grower resiliency to canola diseases. A collective investment of $1,873,877 of grower dollars from Saskatchewan and Alberta was used to leverage $3,457,985 government funding to initiate nine research projects on blackleg and verticillium stripe.

Our objective is to ensure farmers have access to the latest technology to manage pests in their operations, while also proving quality assurance to our global customers.

— Bernie McClean, SaskCanola Research Chair.

Several of the projects are focused on blackleg disease. Currently available fungicides have limited effect on the disease, so growers rely on new canola varieties in addition to best agronomic practices in-field to be resilient against the constantly evolving blackleg pathogen.

The results from this research will help with the development of new varieties, better screening techniques, understanding the efficacy of seed treatments, and the interaction of other pests such as flea beetle damage on the infection rate.

Verticillium stripe is a relatively new disease to Western Canada that was included as part of this disease theme to understand whether there is an impact on canola yield in our climate and how growers can reduce any yield loss.

SaskCanola Invests in Team Muyres

SaskCanola is a proud sponsor of the #1 Saskatchewan men’s curling Team Muyres – made up of two brothers, Dallan & Kirk Muyres, and twin brothers, Dan & Kevin Marsh. Our investment aims to increase SaskCanola’s profile in Saskatchewan and canola awareness across Canada as the Team’s apparel proudly showcases our brand. The professional athletes have personal ties and are all very familiar with Saskatchewan agriculture. They do an amazing job as ambassadors for our industry in Canada and worldwide.

Monitoring the threat of clubroot in Saskatchewan

Clubroot is a devastating disease and research into this pathogen is a continuing priority for SaskCanola. In 2018, SaskCanola contributed funding for a Canola Agronomic Research Program (CARP) project entitled Canadian Clubroot Cluster (C4) Pillar 4: Surveillance and Pathotype Monitoring. The project’s primary purpose was to map the spread of clubroot in Western Canada and determine if there have been any changes to the pathogen itself.

Some of the findings contained in the project’s final report had been expected, but still proved to be quite sobering. The clubroot map continues to expand in Alberta and Manitoba, and the pathogen has now established a significant foothold in Saskatchewan. It is important to note that what is known as first generation resistance, that is, the first type of resistance bred into commercial varieties, is now breaking down in Alberta. Pathogen types that have overcome varietal resistance have been found in Manitoba as well, but none have yet been detected in Saskatchewan, so there is still an opportunity to stay ahead of this devastating disease.

Significant outcomes of the CARP project are:

1. Maps of clubroot distribution.
2. Characterization of perhaps the largest collection of clubroot single-spore isolates (P. brassicae) in the world.
3. Evaluation of the performance of clubroot resistant canola cultivars, along with a description of field isolates of the pathogen regarding virulence and pathotype designation.

It is important to use two interdependent elements in the battle against clubroot: strategy and tools.

• The strategy involves reducing the movement of soil from field to field,
  extending rotations and eliminating alternate hosts such as wild mustard, stinkweed and volunteer canola.
• The most effective tool that farmers have is varietal resistance, but this should not be expected to shoulder the entire burden of protecting Saskatchewan fields from clubroot.

Incorporating an effective clubroot strategy and using resistant varieties wisely are the best ways to make sure Saskatchewan farmers can stay ahead of clubroot.

To view research funded by SaskCanola, visit the “Research” section at saskcanola.com

Upcoming Grower Meetings

Grain Grading Workshop –
Nov. 18 in Yorkton & Nov 19 in Moose Jaw
Learn about degrading factors in wheat, canola, & barley – plus info on grain contracts.

Top Notch Farming Meeting –
Nov. 21 in Swift Current
Presentations on the latest canola agronomy & research findings.

Canola Industry Meeting & Canola Innovation Day –
Dec. 4–5 in Saskatoon
Involved in research, production, processing, or marketing of canola? Attend sessions about genomics, soil, nutrient and pest management, and new innovations impacting canola.

CropSphere Conference incl. SaskCanola’s Annual General Meeting –
January 14–15 in Saskatoon

• A learning & networking event built for growers by six Saskatchewan commodity groups. This 7^th annual conference features sessions on agronomy, research, marketing, and farm management.
• If you grow canola in Saskatchewan, you are an investor in SaskCanola and hold voting rights. Attend our AGM on Tues, January 14th at 4:30pm for a report on SaskCanola’s 2018/19 year; our Team will address any questions you may have.

Visit the “News & Events” section at saskcanola.com to register for these upcoming meetings.

Reminder: SaskCanola’s Year in Review Available Online

Take a look at the highlights from SaskCanola’s 2018 – 19 year investing in
research, policy, & promotion priorities to provide value to Saskatchewan’s canola growers; available online at saskcanola.com in the “About SaskCanola” section.