Crop Talk Fall 2017 by Farm Business Communications

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Fall and Winter Seed Treating It’s never too early to start thinking about your seed treatments

When should farmers get a germination/ vigour and fungal scan? Growers should get a complete germination and fungal scan before treatment in the fall. If your fungal scan shows significant disease presence, or there is a significant gap between the germ and vigour of the seed, then you should be considering a new seed lot. We recommend a second germination and vigour test in the spring to make sure the seed has maintained its high quality as germination and vigour can change over time. Can micronutrients be applied in the Fall and still be present on the seed in spring? Micronutrients should be fine to sit in the bin. Being an element (not an organic

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bin are a big concern as they can cause subsequent moisture gradients. Zones of higher moisture have an increased risk for spoilage and degradation of treatment on the seed.

compound), they will not degrade. However, you must consider the form and formulation of the micro being applied. To be effective, a micronutrient must be in a plant-available form. Always consult the micronutrient manufacturer for detailed storage information. How long can a fungicide and/or insecticide seed treatment last on the seed in the bin without losing efficacy? Treating your seed in the Fall, and then storing your seed in dry and cool/cold conditions will provide the best results. If the treated seed is not used the following spring and hence stored for a longer period, there could be loss of efficacy of the fungicide or insecticide components depending on the storage conditions (temperature fluctuations, changes in humidity and moisture levels). Talk to your SeedGrowth™ representative if you have concerns (Call 1 888-263-6847 to find the rep nearest you). Is there a certain bin temperature that will start to affect seed during the winter months? For storage temperatures, cooler is better. Temperature gradients within a

What are the risks of treating seed in the Fall? The biggest risk to treating seed in the Fall is potentially treating seed which loses germination (and/or vigour) over the winter. While the risk is fairly low, if your spring test shows a drop in germination and/or vigour from your fall test, consider a different source of seed. Note that your treated seed cannot be sold. Many farmers have a well-planned crop rotation, which allows for Fall/Winter treating, but for those who plan their crop rotation based on commodity prices at planting, Fall treating can be risky and flexibility may be more important. Can leftover treated seed be used the following year? Seed may drop in germination with age or under adverse storage conditions, so a germ and vigour test the following spring is recommended. If the germ has decreased, it is likely due to storage issues, as chemical seed treatments are not known to affect the germ. Increasing the seeding rate will compensate for low germination, but if the reduced germination was a result of disease, an increased seeding rate can introduce more disease into the field.

PHOTO: JEANNETTE GREAVES

o matter what challenges are encountered throughout the cropping season the best opportunity to maximize your success begins early on and it all starts with seed. Using the right seed treatment will lock in the full potential of your crop — supporting a healthy start, strong emergence and targeted, effective protection against major yield and quality robbing threats. With today’s top seed treatment options you can get ahead of the game with early application, enjoying efficacy that is just as strong as it would be if the application was done closer to seeding time. Beth Markert of the Bayer SeedGrowth™ team provides more insights in the following Q&A:

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Cashing in on the Success of Soybeans Disease protection is critical to support fast-rising acreage

growing success story for Western Canadian crop production is the rise of soybean production across the region, with the number of acres seeded to soybeans growing dramatically over the past several years, including 2017. The surge is tied directly to rising profit potential, with StatsCan surveys showing 2017 acreage jumping 40% to 2.3 million in Manitoba and nearly quadrupling to 850,000 in Saskatchewan compared to 2016. Fully capitalizing on the yield potential of soybeans means taking the right steps to avoid having your soybean performance derailed by disease.

TACKLING FOUR PEST CHALLENGES IN SOYBEANS Here’s what to watch out for: Rhizoctonia. Rhizoctonia is a common soybean disease that typically causes the most damage to seedlings and can also impact older plants. Symptoms on older plants include rust-brown, dry sunken lesions on stems and roots near the soil line. Conditions favouring the disease include high soil moisture and warm soil temperatures, as well as conditions such as delayed emergence and plant stress from external pressures such as herbicide applications and soybean cyst nematode. For each of these challenges, the best defence is to encourage seedling health with good agronomic practices and the use of high-quality seed along with a proven seed treatment. White mould. White mould is another common issue typically favoured by cool, damp conditions. With high severity, yield losses can exceed 40% and the disease can also damage standability and quality. Infection begins at flowering, with infected petals falling down into the canopy resulting in a water-soaked lesion on the stem that soon becomes overgrown with white mould.

White mould can persist in fields via sclerotia, which are formed inside and outside the stem within the white mould mass. Integrated approaches such as, utilizing high-quality seed with some tolerance, crop rotations, weed control, fungicide application and equipment cleaning can all help break the disease cycle and control the risk.

Sudden Death Syndrome. Also known as SDS, this rising threat to soybean acreage is caused by a fungus that enters the plant via the roots and causes root rot. The pathogen produces toxins in the plant that cause the damage, with average yield loss of 20%. In severe cases yield loss can be up to 60%. SDS is often considered a late-season disease and surprisingly its yield-robbing potential begins long before any symptoms are present. There are two phases of SDS – a root rot phase and a foliar symptom phase. Visible symptoms are not typically evident until flowering begins, with symptoms including mottling or mosaic patterns beneath the leaf veins, which eventually turn into brown tissue and necrotic lesions.

The spread of SDS is closely related to soybean cyst nematode distribution. While neither the pest nor the disease are currently present in western Canada, the rising incidence of SDS in Ontario and in northern states such as South Dakota means growers should be on the lookout. The only product registered for SDS in Canada is ILeVO™ seed treatment. Soybean cyst nematode. This pest challenging soybean crops is a microscopic round worm that attacks seedlings and roots. Growers are advised to be on the lookout for unexplained yield losses that may indicate presence of this pest, which can cause typical losses of 20% to 30%. Early detection is key to reducing losses. Watch for a waviness or lack of levelness across the field. When the nematode is suspected, dig up plants to look for cysts on the roots. Resistant varieties of seeds are available and using high-quality seed along with a seed treatment is advised to reduce the risk. In fact, even with resistant varieties, seed treatments like ILeVO are necessary to help suppress reproduction around the roots of those varieties. Rotation is also important to break the pest cycle.

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Stand Your Ground Get the most out of your Liberty herbicide application

SIX TIPS TO SPRAY LIKE A PRO Fully maximizing the benefits of Liberty herbicide requires getting the details right. Here are some tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your Liberty herbicide application. Watch water rate Because Liberty herbicide works on contact, it is essential to ensure higher water volumes. Spray with at least ten gallons of water per acre to ensure good contact and optimal coverage. Add Centurion® to boost control Adding Centurion® herbicide to your Liberty herbicide application increases control of difficult grass weeds like wild

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oats, foxtail barley, volunteer barley and many others. Apply under good conditions Apply when it’s warm and sunny (10˚C or more is optimal). For maximum performance, avoid cooler, cloudy and windy conditions, or those with excessive moisture or dryness. Optimize equipment selection Nozzle selection and droplet size are key. To get good coverage, aim for medium to coarse droplets (250-350 microns) and avoid spraying under pressure. Try to stay between 40 – 80 psi.

Change direction on second application Use the same tracks, but reverse your direction of travel on a second pass to help control any weeds that may have been sheltered during the first application. Apply at a slow, steady pace Don’t rush. Spraying too fast can drastically reduce your control and result in a less than optimal application. Keep sprayer speeds under 24 km/h to avoid drifting off target.

Visit SprayYourBest.ca for more application recommendations and advice.

Raising the bar on resistance management Herbicide resistance is a growing problem in Western Canada and you have a role to play to help keep it in check. Liberty herbicide is a valuable resistance management tool as the only Group 10 for use on canola. It helps to control Group 1-resistant wild oats and Group 2 and 9-resistant kochia, and provides a unique option to allow you to rotate herbicides.

Learn more at MixItUp.ca.

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

iberty® herbicide continues to lead the charge as a trusted, broad-spectrum herbicide. With two flexible rate options, the ability to perform a second pass when required and no re-cropping restrictions, it’s a proven performer you can rely on to protect and unlock the full potential of your InVigor® hybrid canola. Additionally, as a Group 10 herbicide, Liberty’s unique mode of action also makes it an excellent resistance management tool — addressing a top issue of modern, sustainable farming.

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NEW InVigorResults.ca

or 21 consecutive years, InVigor® canola hybrids have continued to lead the industry and gain the trust of growers on more acres than any other canola hybrid in Canada. The InVigor team is a family of passionate experts, driven by your success. As part of that family, Bayer’s Field Marketing team, in partnership with local growers, meticulously oversees the InVigor Demonstration Strip Trial (DST) program to deliver quality replicated local results. These year-over-year replicated trial results can be viewed at the newly revamped website, InVigorResults.ca, where you can see how InVigor canola hybrids stack up against each other and the competition in your area. With over 15 years of replicated trials from across the Prairies, InVigorResults.ca was designed to simplify your canola hybrid selection. The easy-to-use interactive map provides meaningful, localized results from your area. • Now optimized for mobile use • Hybrid comparison tool displays side by side ratings of potential hybrids in your area • Compare days to maturity, harvestability and yield performance • Download the information or have it sent directly to your email

Latest results from 2017 are now available — including trial data for the newest Evolution™ hybrid, InVigor L255PC, featuring both the patented Pod Shatter Reduction technology and clubroot

resistance*. Plus you can view the widescale performance of the two 2016 Evolution hybrids, InVigor L233P and InVigor L230. *To predominant clubroot pathotypes identified in Canada at the time of registration.

Higher Yields, Higher ROI Every season throws different agronomic challenges at you. Luckily, Bayer offers an extensive lineup of crop protection solutions to harness the full potential of your crop. Combining your Bayer seed treatment, herbicide and fungicide purchases protects your crops for the duration of the season and helps increase the yield and quality. Additionally, with BayerValue purchase incentives, mixing and matching from our complete offering of high-performing crop protection products increases your savings and maximizes the return on your investment.

Get complete program details at cropscience.bayer.ca/BayerValue

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Harvesting Success Capture the advantage with the latest InVigor canola hybrids

new era in harvest management is taking shape across the Prairies as new innovations emerge for improved time management, greater harvest flexibility and a better overall return. Leading the way is a clear shift toward straight cutting canola. In fact, Bayer predicts that by 2020, over 50% of the canola in Western Canada will be straight cut. This represents a huge jump considering that traditionally about 80% of canola is swathed before being combined.

RISE OF STRAIGHT CUTTING “The rise in straight cutting is no surprise when you consider the advantages” says Bayer Field Marketing Rep, Allana Lewchuk. “Not having to swath reduces time, labour and equipment required — making harvest that much simpler. The yield trials are also showing a yield advantage that really adds up.” The risk of pod shatter has been the main obstacle to greater adoption of straight cutting, Lewchuk says. But with the patented Pod Shatter Reduction technology now available in several InVigor® canola hybrids, that is no longer an issue. “The Pod Shatter Reduction trait is a real game changer that is transforming the way harvest is managed across the Prairies.” It offers the ability to straight cut or delay swathing canola without sacrificing yield potential. PREVENTING COSTLY LOSSES Prior to patented Pod Shatter Reduction trait availability, it was estimated that Canadian canola growers lost an average of two to four bushels per acre to pod shattering, adding up to a loss of more than $500 million annually.* This innovative trait represents an opportunity to minimize those losses. The patented Pod Shatter Reduction trait strengthens the pod seam, stem and connective tissue to safely retain the seeds until you are ready to harvest. It can also minimize pod shatter

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These hybrids continue to fuel a dramatic shift in the way growers approach their harvest. Bayer predicts that by 2020, over 50% of canola in Western Canada will be straight cut.

damage from adverse late-season weather and wind events.

THREE OPTIONS: Three InVigor canola hybrids now feature Pod Shatter Reduction technology, offering excellent yield protection while providing you with enhanced harvest management options, including the opportunity to straight cut your canola.

NEW INVIGOR L255PC The newest InVigor hybrid to the 2018 lineup, InVigor L255PC, is a dual trait hybrid combining the yield protection of the patented Pod Shatter Reduction technology and built-in resistance to clubroot**. Additionally, this hybrid offers outstanding yield protection, excellent standability and exceptional harvest flexibility for all mid- to long-growing zones in Western Canada.

across Western Canada, as part of Bayer’s Canola Trials. The chart below shows how they performed against the competition in 2016.

YIELD ADVANTAGE In 90 InVigor trials over the last four years, straight cutting InVigor L140P provided an average of 4% yield increase over swathing InVigor L140P at normal swath timing. “With the traits and quality of the new hybrids, Western Canadian canola production is well positioned to take a big leap forward,” says Lewchuk. “It’s an exciting time to be a canola grower.”

INVIGOR L140P AND INVIGOR L233P Among the first canola hybrids featuring this trait is InVigor L140P hybrid and early maturing InVigor L233P hybrid, which have consistently outperformed the competition over multiple, replicated sites *Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada field Surveys **To predominant clubroot pathotypes identified in Canada at the time of their registration.

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Tackle Tough-to-Control Cleavers in Canola and Save Big

rotect your canola crop from difficult-to-control cleavers and save big with the new ‘$3 for 300’ offer. InVigor® hybrid canola and Command® herbicide* are teaming up to provide you with a special trial use offer dedicated to save you money and help control problem cleavers. Purchase 300 acres of any InVigor hybrid between September 1, 2017, and June 15, 2018, to receive a $3/acre rebate on your first 300 acres of Command herbicide**. Cleavers have quickly become one of the most problematic weed challenges of canola, and field surveys show a rising incidence of the weed across Western Canada. Command, a Group 13-preemergent herbicide registered last year, provides reliable control with an easy-touse liquid formulation that can be tankmixed with glyphosate for a one-pass, pre-seed application.

Speak to your local retailer for more details or visit cropscience.bayer.ca/command for full terms and conditions.

*Maximum rebate is on 300 acres or $900. Purchases must be made between September 1, 2017 and June 15, 2018. See your local Retailer for complete details. **Other program terms and conditions apply. Always read and follow label directions. InVigor®, Liberty® and LibertyLink® are registered trademarks of the Bayer Group. All other products are trademarks of their respective companies. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. For complete information on Command and all FMC products, please contact your local FMC sales representative or visit FMCcrop.ca. FMC and Command are trademarks of FMC Corporation. All rights reserved.

Destination Panama for Hot Potatoes Rewards Program Redeem your points by Nov. 30 for this warm weather getaway Sun, fun and a chance to visit and relax with your fellow growers in a tropical getaway are all part of the featured package of the 2016/2017 Hot Potatoes Rewards Program. Don’t miss your chance to redeem your reward points and join fellow growers for this Bayer group trip to Panama, slated for February 4-11, 2018.

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

See complete information at hot-potatoes.ca.

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Optimizing InVigor Plant Populations

bright future for Canadian canola production is continuing to take shape, fuelled by an ever-increasing global demand, ongoing trait innovations and fresh perspectives on best practices to maximize the yield performance of your crop. The opportunities are great, but so are the challenges, as growers face heavy pressure to hit top yield and quality in order to fully capitalize on expanding world markets. As an InVigor® hybrid canola grower, you can take advantage of important new research findings by the Bayer Product Excellence Team to further increase your canola yields.

STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE If plant populations are too high, it can result in numerous issues. Like weed competitors, canola plants in over-populated crops fight amongst themselves for available resources and do not significantly contribute to yield. Increased intra-crop competition for resources generally results in taller, thinner plants that are less productive. Additionally, these plants are less robust and have weaker stems that make them more susceptible to lodging. A dense canopy with lodged plants traps heat, moisture and greatly increases the risk for sclerotinia and other diseases. Higher populations also make the crop more susceptible to heat stress and low moisture, ultimately increasing mortality rates. Ironically, lower plant populations come with their own set of problems. Low populations do not effectively utilize the seedbed and surrounding resources. With excess room, the plant architecture changes drastically, resulting in plants that are much larger and more susceptible to delayed flowering and uneven maturity. This unevenness makes staging difficult

for in-season applications. Additionally, the abundance of space also increases weed competition and reduces the impact of herbicide applications providing a major harvest challenge.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS While planting 10 seeds per square foot is the general recommendation, Wade Stocker, Canola Seeds and Traits Campaign Manager at Bayer says, InVigor growers may need to adjust their seeding rates based on their specific environmental factors, preferred agronomic practices and field conditions. “The five to seven targeted plant population is accomplished by knowing the thousand seed weight (TSW) of your selected hybrids and figuring out the specific survivability of your canola fields. After that, it’s a simple matter of calibrating your drill so you are seeding appropriately to hit the five to seven zone,” says Stocker. “It’s a really simple adjustment that makes a big difference and helps you get even more out of your InVigor hybrids.”

To learn more about Targeted Plant Populations, please visit CropScience.Bayer.ca/InVigor or contact your local Bayer Representative.

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

ADVANTAGES OF A ‘TPP’ APPROACH Three years of research from the Product Excellence Team, including 42 large-scale trial locations across Western Canada, has shed new light on optimal plant density and its essential role in maximizing crop performance. Furthermore, the team has identified a Targeted Plant Population (TPP) approach specific to InVigor hybrids that consistently maximizes results. While traditional methods support seeding canola at a rate of five pounds per acre, the Product Excellence Team research shows that a better method when seeding InVigor hybrids is to use the TPP approach that strives to achieve an optimal plant density of five to seven plants per square foot. Furthermore, its

research indicates that in most situations this can be achieved by planting 10 seeds per square foot. That said, the Product Excellence team acknowledges that every field is different and recommends growers do a bit of research on their own farms to find their best seeding rates.

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