CHS DynAgra Blog

This is the question that will come up many times before ordering your seed for next season. The decision to treat with Precede was the obvious answer in this case. Can you see the difference in root development in the crops below?

The one on the left is the one treated with Precede and the one on the right was not. Just by looking at the two, it is easy to tell that there is more root mass on the crop on the left. This makes it the healthier plant- no roots, no crop.

Now here is what more and healthier roots accomplish in the plant:

· A head start for the crop because of better root establishment

· Have a healthier rhizoshpere (Remember ‘how hairy are your roots?”)

· Have greater access to more macro and micro nutrients

· More moisture is available to the crop

· With a better foundation the crop has a better chance of recovering after stresses such as hail, excess moisture and drought

That is all important, however, the most important thing to know is the healthier the root, the healthier the crop and it sets you up for a successful harvest.

Why not put Precede on your investment for 2013 and make it your best quality crop yet? If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact your closest DynAgra Representative, we would love to help you!

By Brittany Blakely

The moisture that has been prevalent in the province this spring has been responsible for strong green crop growth which will have a positive effect on development of all crops and grain. However, the moisture also has a growth effect for fungi on the crops. This moisture mixed with tight crop rotations and the rust that has been seen in parts of Southern Alberta has potential to cause major damage on this year’s crop yields. The solution of staying ahead of disease is using a fungicide and an herbicide.

The question “Why would an herbicide be helpful?” may be coming to mind, the answer is weeds contract and contribute to the spread of disease. It is important to spray for weeds for reasons such as crop competition. The spread of disease should also be a reason on your list for getting rid of weeds.

Using herbicides do not take over for the fungicide. It is always necessary to protect your fields with fungicide. If you have not already applied fungicides you should be applying them soon for preventative measures. If you wait until there is the first signs of disease, it is a bigger risk that may not work in your favor.

A few helpful hints that will help with Crop Protection; Have your fields scouted for early signs of unexpected issues and make sure to rotate your fungicide group. We want you to be prepared this season! To make this your best crop ever! Call your local DynAgra for your fungicide and herbicide expert today to find out more.

The following websites may also be of interest to you. Learn more about the fungi that may be affecting your crop’s growth potential.

http://www.agriculture.alberta.ca/app21/infopage?cat1=Diseases%2FInsects%2F Pests

http://www.smallgrains.org/DisplayPage.aspx?pageId=Disease__amp__Disease_Control

In his weekly Call of the Land report Alberta Agriculture pest specialist Scott Meers says that diamondback moths could be a season-long threat, especially in southern Alberta where emergence was so early this year. The first adults of the new generation have been spotted around Lethbridge this week.

“This is really early, these generations will get faster as the weather gets warmer so we could easily see three generations and possibly into the fourth this summer,” Meers said.

Meers said that is less likely further north where diamondback development has been slower, but this is a scenario for significant crop damage, as each generation gets larger and the population is higher. However parasitic insects and diseases could reduce the population, and some adults of parasitic moths are being spotted…(Full Story)

In Beiseker AB on June 9th, 2012 - DynAgra won first place in the Sports Day Parade!  Our float represents a healthy root system.  Come in to your local DynAgra to find out how you can have a healthy root system too!!

Way To Go Team DynAgra, now off to Standard and then Rolling Hills.

Krista Robichaud

Favourable weather conditions have aided seeding operations in Alberta as well as crop emergence, according to a provincial crop specialist.

Seeding of various grain, oilseed and pulse crops is now complete in the southern regions of Alberta, 95-100 per cent done in central areas, roughly 80-85 per cent complete in the northeast and 70-75 per cent finished in the northwest and Peace regions of the province, said Neil Whatley of the Alberta Ag-Info Centre in Stettler.

“Emergence of the early seeded crops has been very good,” he said, with crops receiving a good combination of both precipitation and warm temperatures….(read more)

Here is a blackleg lesion on a canola leaf at the 6-leaf stage. Infection is showing up already in 2012 but lesions are harder to see on smaller plants. Source: Anastasia Kubinec, MAFRI

Blackleg lesions were reported this week on some canola fields, which is much earlier than first detection last year.

Early blackleg infection — from the cotyledon to 3-4 leaf stages — leads to the greatest yield loss. If growers see blackleg lesions on cotyledons or leaves early in the season, this may indicate a greater risk of potential blackleg problems.

These tiny lesions may be tricky to spot, and you probably won’t see many of them. When scouting, also look for blackleg pseudothecia (black spots) on old canola residue, which may still be present on fields with a tight rotation.

Even if you can’t spot lesions on new plants or old stubble, the field could be at risk of serious blackleg infection. Here are factors that increase the blackleg risk:…(read more)

A warm spring across the Prairies is bringing larger insect populations to crop-growing regions this season.

Manitoba and Alberta canola crops are seeing increasing populations of flea beetles this spring. The insects feed on multiple parts of the plant and can be very damaging for canola in its early development stages. Both provinces have already received reports of damage from the insects this year…(read more)

A fungus under control for 50 years is back and ravaging wheat crops in Africa, the Middle East and Asia—and it could be headed this way.

The disease is called wheat steam rust—once it infects a field, it corrodes the stalks, turning them shades of brown and red that give the disease its name. Farmers can do little but harvest what’s left, sometimes losing 60 per cent of their crop.

The disease has been in remission since the 1960s, but in 1999 a new strain known as Ug99 appeared in Uganda and has now spread across 12 countries, including South Africa, Yemen, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Scientists believe that if it reaches North America, it could start in Southern Texas and go all the way to the Canadian plains…(read more)

germination.ca

The decision to apply a fungicide to your wheat crop can be made a little easier if understand the return on your investment.

Yield equals dollars and if you’re in an area that’s at risk for disease. Protecting your crops yield potential is benefit number 1. Fungicides first and foremost provide a preventative level of protection at a critical point in your crops growth. Any damage done at that point can have a devastating effect on your yield. Protecting that yield potential at the vulnerable stage with a fungicide provides you with an opportunity to put more dollars in your pocket…(please read)

RealAgriculture Agronomy Team

REGINA — The provincial government wants Ottawa to impose conditions if the proposed takeover of Viterra is approved to ensure Glencore International meets its commitments, including a pledge to make Regina the head office for North American agricultural operations.

Saskatchewan also wants the federal government to ensure as part of the approval process that there will be no “adverse effect” on competition in the farm input business.(please read more…)