No Changes To drought This Week

 

 

The latest Drought Monitor released this morning shows no changes in the drought status across the Southeast from last week’s map.  It’s not unusual after a big rain event followed by a dry week for the DM authors to take time to catch their breath, work on other areas of the country, and wait to see what happens before they make further changes.  Temperatures well above normal are increasing evaporation and has started the growth of plants that are usually dormant this time of year, which increases demands on water, but it is just the beginning of February so there is much more to come before the next growing season officially gets underway.

 

Video: Sclerotinia and Lygus in Seed Canola: Field Update with George Lubberts, CCA | Enchant, Alberta

Join Certified Crop Advisor George Lubberts for this Prairie Certified Crop Advisor (Prairie CCA) field update from Enchant, Alberta. In this 12th video of the series, George takes us into a seed canola field where the male rows have been removed and the female plants are filling pods. This video was taken in the third week of August 2025.

George discusses the early signs of sclerotinia stem rot, explaining how infection begins in the stem, impacts pod development, and leads to premature ripening. He also shares insights on lygus bug management, including timing of spray applications to minimize feeding damage and maintain seed size and quality.

With cool, damp summer conditions, George notes that while disease pressure is present, overall field health remains good. The crop is just beginning to show early seed colour change, signaling progress toward maturity.

Topics Covered:

•Sclerotinia stem rot identification and impact

•Managing lygus bugs in seed canola

•Crop stage and seed colour change observations

•Timing insecticide sprays for optimal protection

•Insights from a CCA field perspective in southern Alberta