by Doug Cattani, Forage Seed Specialist
The Weekly Manitoba Forage Seed Report - 2010 Field Season
In 2009, we initiated the Manitoba Forage Seed Report. We travel out to scout fields in different areas of Manitoba to provide information on what may be important agronomic factors affecting forage seed crops. Factors we are looking for include the stage of crop development, insects, diseases and weeds present and any other factors affecting crop growth.
It is our intention to continue on with this project throughout the 2010 field season. We will be visiting fields in the Interlake, Eastman, the Red River Valley and in the Minnedosa area in an attempt to get a better understanding of the relationship of growing degree days and crop development in Manitoba. One new wrinkle for the 2010 scouting is an attempt to get alfalfa fields in each area differing in Fall Dormancy ratings. By gathering this data we are hoping to provide producers with information that can help them plan their agronomic practices.
In 2010 Brent Elliott will be handling the entomological aspects of the report, Doug Cattani the other agronomic aspects and David Ostermann will be reporting on Leaf cutting bee issues.
Production
by Doug Cattani, Forage Seed Specialist
As of June 3, 2010
Weather: We have had a lot of rain since the last report. Please use the link to the weekly weather report to look at the details for your area. We are currently normal to above normal for growing degree days in most areas as of May 30, 2010 and far above normal for precipitation..
Alfalfa: Alfalfa continues is up to 15-20” tall in the Dugald area with a few buds beginning to develop, up to 15” tall in the Arborg/Riverton, up to 15” tall in the Teulon area and up to 12-15” tall in the Minnedosa area based upon fields visited this week. The crop is progressing although slower than the previous weeks.
Perennial Ryegrass: Growth is progressing with tillers in the boot stage. The leaf height is at about 10-12”. There are still a wide variety of developmental stages apparent in the fields. The slower developing tillers are catching up. No disease was noticed the perennial ryegrass fields scouted.
Timothy: The timothy is up to heights of 12-15”. Based on a few samples taken, there are 0.5-2.0 new leaves to leaf to appear prior to inflorescence emergence. Purple eye spot is readily seen in all fields we visited.
Weeds:
Note: this section refers to weeds seen during field scouting and does not indicate a level of infestation. It is possible that weeds levels are extremely low in fields where any given species may be found.
The primary weeds seen in fields this past week in alfalfa were dandelion (flowering), Canada thistle, foxtail barley, stinkweed (flowering), flixweed, sowthistle, curled dock, shepherds purse, alsike clover, timothy, smooth brome, quackgrass, a pea-vine species and Kentucky bluegrass.
In the timothy fields visited, dandelion (flowering), Canada thistle, flixweed, curled dock, shepherds purse, wild buckwheat, stinkweed (flowering), volunteer timothy, and cleavers were found.
In perennial ryegrass the weeds seen this week were wild mustard, dandelions (flowering), volunteer wheat, foxtail barley, stinkweed (flowering) and curled dock.
Diseases:Diseases noted in alfalfa again this week were common leaf spot and Stemphyllium; in timothy, purple eye spot and; perennial ryegrass, no diseases noted.
Apiculture
by David Ostermann, Pollination Apiarist
The 2010 Inspection Program is complete. The reports have been mailed out to producers and should arrive shortly. In summary, this year chalkbrood was found in 24 out of 79 inspected operations. Last year, chalkbrood was found in 25 out of 86 inspected operations. For more information or if you have any questions contact David at 945-3861 (Winnipeg).
For best paraformaldehyde fumigation results, be sure to condition your fumigation room with materials adequately. Adequate moisture (RH) and proper temperature in the room is often the difference between good chalkbrood control, or control that falls short. Adequate moisture is really important because the sterilizing formaldehyde gas is attracted to moisture and moist surfaces. The fumigation process is not only to control chalkbrood, it also helps control moulds, yeasts and bacteria that can be harmful to the bees. As always, please use sterilization products safely.
The Paraformaldehyde label can be found here.
Weeds And Herbicides
by Doug Cattani, Forage Seed Specialist
Note: this section refers to weeds seen during field scouting and does not indicate a level of infestation. It is possible that weeds levels are extremely low in fields where any given species may be found.
The primary weeds seen in fields this past week in alfalfa were dandelion (flowering), Canada thistle, foxtail barley, stinkweed (flowering), flixweed, sowthistle, curled dock, shepherds purse, alsike clover, timothy, smooth brome, quackgrass and Kentucky bluegrass.
In the timothy fields visited, dandelion (flowering), Canada thistle, flixweed, curled dock, shepherds purse, wild buckwheat, stinkweed (flowering), volunteer timothy, cleavers and rough cinquefoil were found.
In perennial ryegrass the weeds seen this week were wild mustard, dandelions (flowering), volunteer wheat, foxtail barley, and curled dock.
Registered Herbicides for Forage Seed Crops: Legumes (http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/mfsr/pdf/herbicides-grasses.pdf) | Grasses (http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/mfsr/pdf/herbicides-grasses.pdf) (pdf)
Insects And Insecticides
by Brent Elliott, Forage Seed Crop Entomologist
Sweep net sampling of alfalfa was carried out this week under some challenging (i.e. high wind) conditions. When it is that windy, the weevil adults tend to stay down near the crown and are hard to detect, similar to what they do during cold weather. That said we did pick up more adults in the Arborg and Teulon fields and one larva was collected as well. So numbers remain quite low at this point in time (generally three weevils – adults and larvae combined – per 100 sweeps), but it is still early. Low numbers of Lygus bugs are also being collected, but generally only two or three in one hundred sweeps per field.
Diseases And Fungicides
by Doug Cattani, Forage Seed Specialist
Diseases noted in alfalfa again this week were common leaf spot and Stemphyllium; in timothy, purple eye spot and; perennial ryegrass, no diseases noted.
Source : Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives