Agronomist Notes

Another challenging harvest is at hand. The majority of producers are sitting at 60% complete and grades range from No. 1’s to feed. I’ve been told that due to the global shortage of wheat, grain buyers may not grade as hard as previous years. For those with wheat left to combine I have been suggesting that producers harvest their first 25% wheat call a bit tough, in the 15 - 17% moisture range, with arrangements to provide below 14.5% moisture later this harvest.

As expected, yields are highly variable across my territory this year. Bar none, the fields with histories of manure performed incredibly well this year, with the abundant supply of nutrients helping plants during periods of moisture and heat stress. Canola yields range from 18 - 61 bu/ac, with the average sitting around 30 bu/ac. Some canola varieties took a beating with the heat during flowering and some remained strong in spite of the heat. Red spring wheat yields range from 45 - 81 bu/ac, and the barley ranges from 45 - 95 bu/ac.

Soil sampling and post-harvest weed control times have arrived. I know what my schedule holds for the days ahead! In this issue, you’ll find tips on post-harvest weed control of winter annuals and perennials. I’ve also included an article on dealing with the variability in soil test results and what we can do to increase the consistency of the results.

Agronomy

Tips for Fall Weed Control

• Use a chaff spreader/chopper at harvest to prevent chaff rows that can hide weeds from herbicide applications.
• Heavy harrow soon after combining to allow weeds more time to recover.
• If a frost up to -80C occurs, wait at least two days for the plants to recuperate and then check for frost damage. Make sure to check all areas of the field as low-lying areas tend to receive more frost than higher ground.
• Ensure weeds are actively growing. At least 60% of the plant must be green for herbicides to work effectively.
• The best time to control winter annuals is in the fall when the plants are still small and have not had enough time to store sugar for spring regrowth.
• For good control, you need to have warm enough days (150C or above) for the herbicide to be translocated to the root.
• You can use residual products like Pre-Pass and kill the weeds as they germinate or use 2,4-D, MCPA, Express, Dicamba or Glyphosate.

Common Weeds in Order of Frost Tolerance

1. Dandelion
2. Winter annuals
3. Quackgrass
4. Perennial Sow Thistle
5. Canada Thistle
6. Toadflax
7. Annuals

Post-harvest Strategies with Glyphosate

Canada Thistle & Perennial Sow Thistle

• Apply only if thistles are actively growing with at least 3 to 4 new leaves, and only if 2 to 3 weeks of good growing conditions after spraying are normally expected. These characteristics ensure enough leaf area to accumulate the herbicide and ensure translocation of the herbicide to the rhizome buds in sufficient concentration to kill them.
• Frosts of -5°C or colder greatly reduce herbicide effectiveness for thistle control.
• Apply 1 litre per acre to actively growing thistles

Foxtail Barley

• Post-harvest glyphosate gives the best root-kill of established foxtail barley if soil moisture conditions allow the plants to remain actively growing.
• Optimum uptake and movement of glyphosate into foxtail barley roots occur at temperatures above 10°C.
• Apply 1 to 2 litres per acre. Use the higher rate with heavier infestations and mature foxtail barley.

Quackgrass

• At least 75% of the plant must be green and actively growing for effective spraying.
• A light frost (-2°C to -3°C) will not affect quack grass control using glyphosate, providing temperatures rise to the mid-teens during the day. Some studies have found improved control after a light frost.
• A heavy frost (-5°C or colder) requires at least three days delay prior to spraying to determine if the quack grass has recovered.
• Apply 1 litre per acre.

Dandelion

• Fall is the best time of year to control dandelion.
• Glyphosate, Express and PrePass have all been evaluated in fall vs. spring applications and each gave better control when applied in the fall.
• No additional control was realized by increasing glyphosate rates from 1 L product per acre (360 g per L formulation) to 1.5 L product per acre when applications were made in the fall, but the 1.5 L per acre rate was required in the spring to match the level of control of the fall glyphosate treatments.
• More important than the absolute control of dandelion is the crop yield response that fall control provides. Past work has shown that even those treatments that result in marginal control (lower rates of 2,4-D or glyphosate) provide yield benefits when applied in the fall.

Source: Clark Brenzil, Provincial Weed Control Specialist, Manitoba

Fall Applying Edge and Avadex

Now is a good time to think about applying soil active herbicides like Edge and Avadex to help control stubborn weeds like wild oats, buckwheat and kochia. The optimal timing to apply Edge or Avadex is just before freeze up towards the end of October, so make sure your retailer has some on hand. Fall applications only require only a “tickle”- a gentle heavy harrowing to make sure the granules are dislodged from the straw and chaff and placed on the soil. Granular herbicides are soil-active, so we must provide every opportunity to place them on the soil. Aggressive heavy harrowing can leave small trenches where the granules concentrate and leave you with patchy control the following year. For application rates, refer to the Alberta Crop Protection Guide. SL

Dealing With Seasonal Variability in Soil Test Results

How much variation can be expected across seasons, within a year?

Soil pH - can vary as much as 0.5 to 1 pH units on poorly buffered soils, especially on the coarser textured soils. Soil pH is usually lower in dry periods and higher in wet conditions.

Extractable soil sulfate and nitrate - are affected by microbial activity. Release of ammonium, nitrate-nitrogen and sulfate-sulfur from organic matter slows in dry soils. Existing nitrate levels can decline when soils are saturated for extended periods, especially during warm weather. Unlike nitrate, sulfate-sulfur is not prone to atmospheric losses during saturated conditions. Soil nitrate and sulfate levels can vary more than two-fold seasonally.

Extractable soil phosphorus - may be more stable than soil pH and extractable potassium in the majority of soils. Under prolonged flooding, phosphorus associated with iron complexes can be released. When soils dry, phosphorus can be bound tightly in iron and aluminum complexes, which lowers availability to plants. Seasonal variation can be as much as 10 to 20 pounds per acre or 5 to 10 parts per million (ppm).

Extractable soil potassium - can be affected by soil freezing and thawing, and wide variations in soil moisture. Under very dry conditions, and upon freezing, certain clay minerals can release potassium from their mineral structure. Upon re-wetting, the potassium may be bound in the clay structure. In some high clay soils, the seasonal variation can be as much as 20 to 50 pounds per acre, or 10 to 25 ppm.

What should we do to obtain consistent and accurate soil test results and recommendations?

1. Collect samples at the same time, depth, and environmental conditions each year.
2. Sample every year, to chart values and observe upward and downward trends in fertility.
3. Tracking trends in soil test results over time is just as important as the soil test value in a given year.

Complete article can be found at: http://www.ppippic.org/ppiweb/agbrief.nsf/$webindex/article=91EAA74F8525707000071D8939518D88

Market News

Fertilizer Prices Climbing

Over the past few years we have seen a significant rationalization of North America’s nitrogen production capacity, to the point where we are now dependent on nitrogen imports to meet annual demand. Competition in the market internationally has heated up considerably with China, India and other countries boosting their own nitrogen requirements. Plus, there is the added cost of ocean freight reflected in the market, and that freight cost has ballooned to all-time highs this year for shipping any commodity.

So in the final analysis, current prices may be as good as they’ll get. Locking in nitrogen prices, while perhaps unattractive from the grower’s perspective, may in the end be a prudent strategy.

As with nitrogen, there is a swelling demand for phosphate in China and India. Traditionally, fertilizer makers in these countries have produced their own sulphuric acid. However, their needs have outstripped their production capacity and they are increasingly importing the acid, further boosting demand.

Source: http://www.fcc-fac.ca/newsletters/en/express/articles/20070921_e.asp#10

Importing Herbicides from the US

Producers can import Touchdown, Banvel II or Roundup Weathermax through the new Grower Requested Own Use (GROU) Pesticide Importation Program for use this fall, but they’ll have to act quickly. Step One is to pre-pay container disposal fees. Step Two is to go onto the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s website for an application form and all the details. Unfortunately, the PMRA cannot guarantee that applications received after September 21 will be processed. The products aren’t supposed to be used after a killing frost so the PMRA will cease processing applications where a killing or damaging frost has occurred. The Grower Requested Own Use program will resume in the spring, although the details of the timing are not available. The list of eligible products will expand in the spring. In addition to Touchdown, Banvel II and Roundup Weathermax, the products Reflex and Basagran will be on the list. If any of these products are less expensive in the U.S., Canadian growers will have a clear mechanism for importing the herbicides for their own use. For all the details, go to the PMRA website (www.pmra-arla.gc.ca) and look under the Grower Requested Own Use Program.

Source: Kevin Hursh

Canola Prices Climb

Canadian canola exports are forecast to increase to a record high from strong Asian demand for edible oils, a growing bio-diesel sector in North America and the EU, coupled with lower oilseed production in the US and China. Canola exports and domestic demand are both expected to be strong on the year, which should cause ending stocks to tighten despite the increased production. During the first month of the 2007-08 crop year, Canadian canola exports are already running slightly ahead of the year ago pace, according to the Canadian Grain Commission. Exporters confirm that there is a fair amount of business on the books for movement within the next few months.

Barley Prices Climb

I have watched producers deliver feed barley at $4.49/bu recently and then lock in $4.26/bu at the bin for December delivery. It’s a very odd picture to watch every commodity you grow climb in price during harvest! Feed barley is no exception and looks like it will continue. If you recall, Russia and the Ukraine suffered a drought this summer, thereby significantly reducing their wheat exports. What the market has just realized is that Russia and the Ukraine are major exporters of feed barley. In fact, their combined annual production hovers around 20% of the worlds feed barley production. This puts Canada in an excellent position given our barley supplies and the lack of barley in competing countries like Australia. SL

Wheat Prices Climb

Continued US export demands along with intensifying crop concerns in Australia are helping to push the market higher in most contracts. Many analysts in Australia are now looking for a crop well below the most recent government estimate of 15.5mmt. Little to no rain was seen over the weekend in most wheat growing regions.

Source: MFGlobal

Weekly USDA Global Crop Highlights

USDA's Joint Ag Weather Facility has provided the following weekly weather/crop highlights:

Click on: http://www.agweb.com/get_article.aspx?src=gennews&pageid=138158

China’s Feed Demand Growth Likely +10% Next Year

Higher feed demand, along with the global rise of soybean and corn prices, means agricultural commodities prices will stay at a high level. With China’s major soybean and corn growing regions currently hit by serious droughts, lower Chinese production means the country has to import more feed to meet rising demand.

Source: CBOT News

Russia to Limit Barley and Wheat Exports

The Russian government plans “to impose a 30% export duty, of at least EUR70 per metric ton, on barley in November and will possibly limit the export of wheat”, agriculture minister Alexey Gordeyev said Friday according to the agriculture ministry’s press service.

Source: CBOT News