A plug of sclerotinia mycelium is attached to a canola stem with Parafilm.

Measuring sclerotinia resistance

How exactly do researchers and plant breeders separate the susceptible from the partially resistant? They use the stem test. The stem test simulates natural sclerotinia infection of canola, Lone Buchwaldt of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada explains. Typically spores colonize petals that adhere to the plant stem. The leaf axle is a hot spot for infections, […] Read more


The most-resistant new lines have stem lesions less than 20 mm. The variety shown here is a resistant variety.

More sclerotinia resistance coming soon

Researchers are identifying lines with more-robust sclerotinia resistance

There’s good news on the horizon for growers and agronomists wrestling with sclerotinia in canola. Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) have identified several canola lines with more-robust resistance to sclerotinia. They’ve also learned more about the sclerotinia pathogen and the sclerotinia resistance genes found in some canola lines. Researchers screened nearly 500 Brassica […] Read more

Canola seed, oil and meal. (Photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Canola crush margins continue downward slide

CNS Canada — Canola crush margins have continued their downward slide, falling to their lowest levels in 10 months over the past week. As of Friday, the Canola Board Crush Margins calculated by ICE Futures Canada were at about $86 above the March contract, which compares with levels a month ago of roughly $126. Crush […] Read more


A canola field starting to bloom at the end of June near Fairholme, Sask. Barb Ziesman, provincial specialist in plant disease, says the environment was perfect for disease development across Saskatchewan in 2016.

Farmers frustrated by sclerotinia

Sclerotinia was rampant in 2016,
 sometimes even for farmers 
who sprayed fungicide

If you had a tough time with sclerotinia in your canola crop this past year, you’re not alone. “It is still probably one of the most frustrating diseases that producers deal with,” says Barb Ziesman, provincial specialist in plant disease with Saskatchewan Agriculture. The environment was perfect for disease development across Saskatchewan, says Ziesman. Saskatchewan Agriculture’s annual canola […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Canola runs into headwind

CNS Canada — ICE Futures Canada canola contracts are running into major upside resistance from a chart standpoint, with a turn lower more likely than additional gains in the near term. “The demand component for canola remains quite strong, although domestic crush margins have diminished,” said Mike Jubinville of ProFarmer Canada. Soyoil futures at the […] Read more


A high clearance sprayer on a field in a prairie landscape

Spraying your fungicide in “the zone”

With Bayer’s new “Zone Spray,” farmers can skip the fungicide in some parts of the field

If Warren Bills has his way, farmers will have a better way to forecast sclerotinia than the old wet boots and weather test. “We believe there is a better way to manage the risk of that disease and the returns growers get when they spray,” Bills told agronomists and industry at Bayer’s Ag Summit in […] Read more



Cargo ship loading grain

Imports and exports by the numbers

Russia is rising and South American beans are finding easier pathways to the ports

Changes to grain handling and transportation infrastructure in two key regions of the world will impact Canada’s competitiveness. These areas are the Black Sea region and South America. Russia’s overall grain production (wheat, barley and corn) has grown 70 per cent in the last 10 years to 94.5 million tonnes. Exports have had their ups […] Read more

Flea beetle damage on a canola seedling.

Keep your canola standing strong against flea beetles

Agronomy tips... from the field

When coming up with a flea beetle defence strategy, it’s important to remember that flea beetles overwinter in your field as adults. That means they’re right there, just waiting to feed as soon as your canola crop emerges in the spring. Canola seedlings can compensate for flea beetle feeding and recover — just so long […] Read more