Recent frost events may have impacted Manitoba farmers and Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development (ARD) has several resources available for producers to assist in their response. It is important to note that frost damage assessments cannot be made until several days after the event. Producers must be able to determine if new growth is occurring from damaged plants.
It is recommended that producers and agronomists wait 24 to 48 hours after a frost event before assessing frost damage. Then, revisit the same sites again three to four days after initial frost to further assess the damage and evaluate the plant stand.
Before making a decision to destroy the crop, allow sufficient time for the crop to recover and potentially resume growth (at least four to five days). Note that Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation’s (MASC) seeding deadlines for the majority of sensitive crops like canola extend into mid-June. More information is online at www.masc.mb.ca/masc.nsf/crop_seeding_deadlines.html.
If after waiting a sufficient amount of time for the crop to recover and producers are considering reseeding, use ARD’s reseeding calculator, which uses MASC’s data, to help make a decision at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/farm-management/production-economics/pubs/calculator-crop-reseed.xls. Producers must contact MASC before destroying the crop or reseeding.
Information on frost damage and various crop tolerances are found at:
www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/crops/crop-management/spring-frost-damage-bulletin.html.
Weather maps, including special frost maps, are available at:
www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/weather/weather-conditions-and-reports.html; and
www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/weather/current-weather-viewer.html.
As well, the latest Crop Report references a number of articles and resources related to frost: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/seasonal-reports/crop-report-archive/index.html.
Producers can get more detailed information on how crops are affected by frost at: https://gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/seasonal-reports/current-crop-topics.html and information on MASC’s programs and services at www.masc.mb.ca.
Producers concerned with frost damage can contact an ARD and MASC Service Centre (toll-free) at 1-844-769-6224 or by email info@masc.mb.ca. Contact information for the service centres is available at www.masc.mb.ca/masc.nsf/locations.html.
Source : Manitoba