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Canola News
5/21/2003
FROST DAMAGE ON CANOLA
A heavy frost and freeze has hit some areas of the state recently. Temperatures Tuesday morning, May 20 were as low as 22 degrees F. Some reports of temperatures below 28 for a period of 4 to 6 hours has many growers concerned.
Frost damage: what to look for?
Canola, Flax, Mustard
These crops can handle a frost of 24 degrees for a short time with canola the most tolerant to the cold temperatures. Frosted leaves/plants will have a dark green or black color. If discolored or injured we need to wait at least 2 - 3 days before any decisions are made to see if the growing point is alive. Within 3 days, there should be a new leaf emerging from the growing point located in the center of the plant. The best indication that the plant has been killed by a frost is the stem. If the stem below the cotyledons is wilted and doesn’t straighten out within 48 hours of the frost, the plant is most likely dead.
--Source: Kent McKay, Area Extension Agronomist, North Central Research/ Extension Center
FLEA BEETLE ALERT
Large numbers of flea beetles are active in overwintering areas and volunteer canola has been severely damaged. There were high numbers of flea beetles last summer in swathed canola field across North Dakota, especially in the north central and north eastern regions. Canada also reported more flea beetles than usual in northeast Manitoba and southern Alberta (L. Dosdall, J. Gavloski). With the cool, wet weather in early May, flea beetles remained relatively inactive and slow to emerge. The weather forecast is now for a warming trend, so producers should expect flea beetles to start moving into spring planted fields. Flea beetles become very active when temperature reach >68 degrees F. So, fields should be scouting regularly until canola plants are near the six-leaf stage. Fields with seed treatments, like Helix xtra from Syngenta or Gaucho Platinum from Gustafson also need to be monitored, especially the early-planted fields. The protection window is only about 21 days after planting with the insecticide-treated canola seed. The early-planted canola from early May or late April is just starting to come out of the ground at day 20 plus after planting. Most of the insecticide protection is unfortunately gone. Research has shown that a foliar spray on top of the insecticide-treated canola seed provides the best protection from flea beetles and the highest yields. Please see 2002 Virtual Tour-Planting Date/Insecticide Study for Flea Beetle Management on Canola website:
http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/minot/pest/pn.htm
Seed treatment isn’t always enough; a foliar insecticide may be required to save the crop. So, please scout your canola crop closely. The economic threshold for control is reached when 25% of the leaf surface is destroyed and flea beetles are active. My forecast is that “flea beetles will emerge in extremely high numbers late this week into Memorial Day weekend, similar to last year.” Two synthetic pyrethroids are available as foliar rescue sprays: Capture at 1.3-2.6 fl oz/A from FMC and Warrior at 1.92-3.84 fl oz/A from Syngenta. The higher rates would provide a longer residual of >7 days. These pyrethroids are compatible with herbicides registered in canola for tank mixing.
Diamondback Moths – Mature larvae of the diamondback moth have been found feeding on alternative weed hosts like tansy mustard. I believe the diamondback moth overwintered in North Dakota this year. In addition, the migrant diamondback moths are arriving now from the southern states. Trappers need to get their pheromone traps out soon, so we can predict whether diamondback moth will be a high risk for the canola crop this year.
GENERAL COMMENTS:
GRASSHOPPERS – Another hatch on first instar grasshoppers (about the size of a wheat kernel) has been observed in emergence traps in winter wheat fields at Minot.
--Source: Janet Knodel, Crop Protection Extension Specialist
FROM THE NCGA PRESIDENT...
Greetings : As I write this I hear raindrops falling on my roof. What a welcome rain it is. Just a reminder of how things can change here in North Dakota from dry to wet in three days. As things are changing in North Dakota and on our farms, so are things in the canola industry. We often get so caught up in our own world we can lose track of what is happening in this industry from our farms to the crushing companies to the distributors and exporters and lastly our consumer customers. All aspects of this industry rely on one another to do their part to contribute to the success of all players in this industry. It is the intent of this newsletter to bring timely and useful information to all members of the industry so we can come to a better understanding of the big picture we call canola. I invite all members from all aspects of the canola industry to offer input to us for the use by our readers so they can have a chance to see it from your point of view.
The Northern Canola Growers Association has members across the northern states, each with many different things happening in their area. I ask, if you have a concern or request for some information I’m sure someone else does to. Please email or call us and we will address it. This is your organization, please use it and us to help you be a more successful member of the canola industry. With that I hear the rain has stopped, gotta get to the rain gauge.
---NCGA President, Kevin Black, Glenfield
TAX INCENTIVE PASSES SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
On Wednesday, April 2, 2003, the Senate Finance Committee approved an Excise Tax Exemption for Biodiesel. The Senate Finance Committee tax exemption would move biodiesel one step closer to becoming cost competitive with petroleum based diesel. The legislation would provide a one-cent reduction in diesel fuel excise tax for each percentage of biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel up to 20 percent blends. The proposed tax incentive is similar to legislation that was included in the energy package last fall. Unfortunately the Congress ran out of time and did not take action on the Energy Bill before adjourning last November. The proposed legislation will not impact the Highway Trust Fund and instead will be funded through general funds. The approved committee legislation is expected to be debated in May.
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be made from vegetable oils such as canola oil. Biodiesel creates a substantial reduction in pollutants like unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from petroleum diesel. According to the National Biodiesel Board, biodiesel works in any diesel engine with few or no modifications and can be used in pure form or blended with petroleum diesel.
FLEA BEETLES, FLEA BEETLES, FLEA BEETLES--ARE THEY ALL THE SAME?
Flea beetles belong to the Order Coleoptera (beetles); Family Chyrsomelidae (leaf beetles); and subfamily Alticinae (flea beetles). There are approximately 60 species of flea beetles in North Dakota including native and introduced species. Flea beetles found on canola or leafy spurge are very small (about 1.5- 4 mm long), blue-black to yellow-brown in color and exhibit a typical “hopping” behavior. Unfortunately, many species of flea beetles fall into that description. In fact, this is the largest group of leaf beetles in number of species and number of pests, but the smallest in size and the most difficult to identify. Identification often requires a microscope. So, it is easy to confuse the flea beetles that attack canola with those that attack other plants like leafy spurge.
Fortunately, most flea beetles have a narrow host range, each species restricted to a certain group of plants. For example, the major canola flea beetles, Phyllotreta spp., prefer hosts in the genus Brassica (Cruciferae), which include the major agricultural hosts attacked by crucifer flea beetle (P. cruciferae) — Argentine canola (B. napus), Polish canola (B. rapa/campestris), mustard (Brassica spp.) and crambe (Crambe abyssinica). Other hosts that canola flea beetles will attack in the garden setting are cabbage, turnip, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, horseradish, and radish. Some weeds attacked in the cruciferous group are flixweed, field pennycress, peppergrass, and wild mustard. In contrast, the Aphthona flea beetle complex that were released to help control leafy spurge are specific just to the spurges, Euphorbia species. The Aphthona flea beetle complex also had intensive host screening in its country of origin (Europe), and within the USDA Biological Control Quarantine laboratories before they were released into the wilds of the United States.
It is interesting to note that both the major flea beetle of canola, crucifer flea beetle, and the Aphthona flea beetles were introduced from Europe into the United States. The different being that the Aphthona flea beetles were introduced on purpose for biological control of a noxious, exotic weed, leafy spurge! The first Aphthona flea beetles released for leafy spurge control in North Dakota was Aphthona flava in 1986. However, canola acreage did not increase until 1997-1998 in North Dakota. It is important not to confuse the flea beetle pest problem on canola with the release of Aphthona flea beetles for leafy spurge control. The Aphthona flea beetle complex will NOT feed on canola or other Brassica agricultural crops. Just in case you do not believe this, try collecting and identifying the species of flea beetles that you find feeding on canola. Aphthona flea beetles all have orange or yellow tibiae while the flea beetles of crucifers have brown or black tibiae. The Aphthona flea beetles are larger, 3-4 mm and the interocular space is always much wider than one eye width; in contrast, the smaller Phyllotreta flea beetles, are 2-3 mm and interocular space hardly wider than one eye width. With a good hand lens, this eye character makes the Phyllotreta flea beetles look ‘bug-eyed’ when directly compared with an Aphthona flea beetle. Some good reference sources are:
Arnett, Ross. 1960. Fascicle 104: Chrysomelidae, pp. 899-950 In ibid. The Beetles of the United States. Catholic Univer. Press. Washington, D. C. 1,112 pp.
LeSage, Laurent. 1996. Identification keys for Aphthona flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) introduced in Canada for the control of spurge (Euphorbia spp., Euphorbiaceae). Can. Entomol. 128: 593-603.
NDSIRC– North Dakota State Insect Reference Collection.
--Source: Janet Knodel, Crop Protection Extension Specialist
CANOLA GROWERS FUND SURVEY FOR CABBAGE SEED POD WEEVIL, OTHER INSECTS
The Northern Canola Growers Association is funding an IPM pest survey for the cabbage seed pod weevil and other key insect pests of canola this year. The survey will be coordinated by Jan Knodel of the North Central Research Center in Minot. The cabbage seed pod weevil is not known to occur in North Dakota, and represents a potential threat to canola industry of North Dakota. It is a major pest of canola in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, reducing seed yield by 15-30%. Because of its rapid dispersal throughout southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana, pest managers need to be aware of its potential movement into North Dakota.
Due to its small size (<1/8 long) and lack of field identification characters, pest managers could easily overlook this pest as well as not recognize the damage. Pest survey data provides information about immediate insect risks, and provides valuable information about crop losses and quality that is used periodically by the Northern Canola Growers Association to aid in export of quality canola crops from North Dakota.
The NCGA wanted to ensure the industry is not caught flat-footed when it comes to the weevil, thus the need to proactively survey for this pest before it becomes a problem. Impacts from the project outcome include: daily to weekly updates of pest risks provided to canola producers, agronomists and consultants; determination of distribution of insects and potential risks for upcoming year; and assessment of insect losses and quality concerns in current crop. Other insect pests to be surveyed include: Crucifer flea beetles, Diamondback moth, Bertha armyworm, Lygus bug, grasshoppers, blister beetles and aphids.
2002 BIN RUN CANOLA STUDY
Introduction:
There has been an increased interest in seeding bin run canola as growers often do with small grains. A field trial was conducted at the North Central Research Extension Center, Minot, ND in 2001 and 2002 to determine the economics of planting bin run canola as opposed to planting commercial seed.
Methods:
Hudson (open pollinated), Pioneer 46A76 (Clearfield, OP), Invigor 2573 (Liberty Link Hybrid) were evaluated in this study with Hyola 401 (hybrid) being added to the trial in 2002. Each variety had the following treatments compared; an untreated bin run (bare) seed lot, a bin run seed lot treated with Thiram, a commercial seed lot treated with Helix Extra, and an untreated commercial (bare) seed lot added in 2002. The trial was planted on May 18 as a randomized complete block design using a split plot arrangement with four replications. Seed size and germination were determined for each treatment at planting to achieve an optimum plant population of 600,000 pure live seeds per acre. Capture was sprayed twice, May 28 and June 4 for flea beetle control. Plots were swathed on July 30 or August 2 depending on maturity and harvested August 15. Percent green seed and percent oil content were determined at Archer Daniels Midland, Velva, ND.
Results:
All bin run (bare) seed lots had the lowest plant populations due to poor emergence. The commercial seed treated with Helix Extra had significantly higher plant populations than the commercial (bare) and bin run treated with Thiram seed lots. There was a trend for longer days to flower and days to end of flower with the bin run treatments, especially with the hybrids (data not shown). There was a trend for decreased oil content and higher green seed content with the bin run seed treatments compared to the commercial treatments. Commercial seed lots treated with Helix Extra had significantly higher yields. The main difference with the increased yield between the commercial and the bin run seed lots was due to the increased plant population.
Commercial bare seed vs bin run bare seed results: There was a 26% yield reduction with the untreated open pollinated bin run seed lots compared to the untreated commercial OP seed lots. There was a significant 46% yield reduction with Invigor 2573 and Hyola 401 untreated bin run seed lots compared to the untreated commercial hybrid seed lots. This study indicates seeding bin run hybrid canola is a risk for potential income loss.
Economics/Gross Income:
Gross income was tabulated by calculating the yield of each treatment times 11.4 cents per pound; the average price for canola at Velva ADM, Velva, ND from September 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002. The net income per acre was determined by subtracting the seed costs from the gross income of each treatment. Data indicates more profit per acre by seeding commercial seed as opposed to bin run seed even though the commercial seed costs were higher.
Conclusions:
Income per acre significantly increased with the commercial seed lots compared to the bin run seed lots. The commercial seed lots treated with Helix Extra had an advantage for disease control. Helix extra also has an insecticide to control flea beetles. However, flea beetles were not a significant factor in the trial and all plots were sprayed twice with Capture to eliminate the flea beetle interaction. Bin run canola seed has not shown to be a profitable practice ($ net return/acre) when compared to commercial seed in general, especially compared to commercial seed treated with Helix Extra.
**To view data, please see PDF version.
--Source: Kent McKay, Area Extension Specialist/Cropping Systems; Robert "Yabo" Gjellstad, Research Specialist; Mark Halvorson, Research Agronomist, North Central Research/Extension Center, Minot, ND
CANOLA POWERED CAR TO BE TESTED
A diesel electric car powered by a constant speed Hatz single cylinder diesel engine is being tried by the Wilkinson Institute and Museum of Sangerville, Maine. The diesel engine will be fueled with Canola oil.
An 800 pound 3 wheeled 1976 Reliant Robin will be driven by a 48 volt electric drive from a battery pack which will be continuously charged by the Hatz diesel generator running at constant speed. This combination might provide very favorable “gas mileage”, perhaps close to 100 miles per gallon.
First tests will begin on the 6288 foot Mt. Washington Auto Road in early June of 2003. If successful the car will be used in a Transcontinental run from Cadillac mountain, Acadia National Park, Maine on the Atlantic Ocean across the entire North American continent to conclude at Newport Oregon on the Pacific Ocean, beginning in the east on September 1, 2003 and ending three weeks later in the west. This year is the 100th anniversary of the first crossing of North America by an automobile.
World oil production may be reaching its peak, with ability to produce petroleum adequate for world demands in question. The Wilkinson Institute and Museum is very interested in exploring transportation alternative which may have existed in earlier times, but may have since lost out to more “fashionable” technologies. The first “hybrid” car was destroyed during a road test in 1898, the concept lying dormant for more than a century, a hundred years before the “Prius” and “Insight” cars of today.
NCGA COMMENTS ON FUNGICIDE FOR CANOLA
The Northern Canola Growers Association recently filed public comments with the Environmental Protection Agency concerning the request to extend and make permanent the tolerance for vinclozolin (Ronilan) on canola. Ronilan is manufactured by BASF.
The NCGA cited the importance of Ronilan (vinclozolin) as a critical tool used by canola growers to combat the devastating effects of sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Without the use of this product, producers would be faced with production losses exceeding $30 million, based on infection rates that have been documented in North Dakota State University Extension surveys since 1992.
The NCGA noted the importance of maintaining several alternatives to combat disease problems to avoid resistance. The EPA is expected to issue a ruling this summer on the request.
CLINE ATTENDS AMERICAN FEED INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION TRADE SHOW
Holly Cline, representing the NCGA, attended the American Feed Industries Association trade show in Minneapolis, May 5th - 7th. The NCGA was one of four commodity groups funded by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. Materials relating specifically to canola in the feed industry were distributed. The show provided a good opportunity for the NCGA to advise feeders on the benefits of adding canola products to animal diets.
Canola meal is currently used in various animal diets ranging form birds and dogs to dairy cattle and horses. This show enabled the NCGA to make contacts with American companies such as Iams, as well as foreign companies such as Rainbow International from the country of Georgia.
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