Each growing season poses unique challenges. Some of which are predictable and some are not. Heading into this spring there are a few things that we need to be thinking about:
1) Cereal seed quality – Over the last few years’ cereal seed quality has garnered much attention. In many parts of the province, seed quality is even worse this year. If planning on using bin-run seed it is very important to have a seed test done to know what quality of seed you are starting with. Seed borne diseases, germination and vigour are the main factors to consider. For specific guidelines on seedborne disease in cereal crops please refer to the factsheet “Guidelines for Seed-Borne Diseases of Cereal Crops” on the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture website.
2) Crop rotation – Every year disease and insect pressures cause farmers to make costly decisions on whether to spray or not. A good crop rotation is one way to help ease some of this pressure. It has been proven through research that crop rotations are an effective method of controlling disease and insect infection levels in field crops. Diverse rotations that include pulse crops have shown the greatest benefits, provided environmental conditions are favourable for pulse production.
3) Variety selection – Each year new varieties are released giving farmers more and potentially better management options. Consider canola as an example, if clubroot or sclerotinia is a concern then having the ability to choose a variety that has resistance to those diseases can be an invaluable tool. Last year much of the province had increased levels of fusarium head blight. Is it time to consider a new variety with some level of resistance to FHB? For variety specific comparisons please refer to the 2015 SaskSeed Guide. This guide is available online or at any of the Regional Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture offices.
4) Fertilizer requirements and placement – Soil testing is the most accurate way to assure that crop fertilizer requirements can be met by the soil available nutrients. Nutrient deficiencies are sometimes overlooked but can significantly impact yield. A soil test is a first step in avoiding a deficiency. Fertilizer application method and placement is equally important. Different crops have different safe seed placed fertilizer guidelines. Some crops may also benefit from seed placed nutrients such as phosphorus which can stimulate early plant growth and root development.
5) Assessing crop risk potential – When choosing to seed a specific crop, producers are typically aware of the insects and diseases that pose the biggest threat. I have touched on a few tools farmers have to assist with controlling these but have yet to mention fungicides. There is no question that fungicides can provide a benefit to the producer when used properly. While water volumes, environmental conditions and nozzle coverage can play as factors in fungicide efficacy, the most important variable is fungicide timing. The importance of timing fungicide applications properly cannot be understated.
6) Consider the use of test strips – Check strips are a great way to assess efficacy and economic returns of products such as fungicides, herbicides, foliar fertilizers, micronutrients or any other product or treatment. When planning a strip trial there are a few ‘rules of thumb’ to follow:
• Keep it simple; use it to verify results
• Use representative fields with little variation
• Mark the strips and record the treatments
• Avoid using headlands and field edges
• The longer the trial the more accurate the data
• Plan for strip widths that coincide with harvest equipment
by Lyndon Hicks, PAg
Regional Crops Specialist, Yorkton Regional Services Branch. For more information contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
