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June 18, 2007
Canola Growing the Future
For Immediate Release
“Education is the key in creating change and moving the industry forward”, says Brian Chorney, President of Manitoba Canola Growers “particularly with the need to increase canola production to meet the demand of food and fuel for the future.” On June 29, 2007 at James Richardson International’s Kelburn Farm, the first of three summer educational events under MCGA’s Provincial Environmental Plan (PEP) will be held. These events are learning opportunities for growers and industry to expand their knowledge from experts in the field to help meet the future demands in a sustainable manner.
Each session consists of vital information on canola production and associated environmentally-friendly practices and the opportunity to access CCA credits. Subsequent events are being held in Killarney July 5 focusing on fertility and on August 2 in Swan River focusing on insect scouting.
A full agenda at Kelburn Farm is planned that hits on the key areas of the PEP – soil, air, water and biodiversity.
The GreenSeeker -- Dr. Guy Lafond, AAFC Indian Head will cover aspects of utilizing the GreenSeeker technology to better manage spatial variability of nitrogen and the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers in canola at a field scale level.
Insect Identification and Scouting -- Dr. John Gavloski, MAFRI will be focusing on insect identification and management in a canola crop.
‘Bzzzy Bees’ – The Importance of Pollinating Insects in Canola -- Rhéal Lafrenière, MAFRI will review the role that beneficial insects play in canola production.
Evaluation of Diseases in the Field: Risk and Incidence -- Derwyn Hammond, Canola Council of Canada will provide agronomic information that can improve a canola producer’s profitability, as part of the Canola Council’s extension program.
Weather Monitoring for Disease Forecasting -- Andy Nadler, MAFRI will review the coordination of the Manitoba Agricultural Weather Program which involves the operation of 30+ near real-time climate stations for the delivery of decision support tools related to regional weather conditions and climate.
Water Quality and the MCGA Provincial Environmental Plan (PEP) -- Jewel Mazur, MCGA will explain how surface and ground water quality in terms of nutrients and pesticides was chosen as the primary environmental issue for canola producers in Manitoba and how we may lessen the impact on this important resource through the PEP and beneficial management practices.
Canola Nutrition: Hybrids vs OP’s -- Dr. Tom Jensen, International Plant Nutrition Institute(IPNI) and John Heard, MAFRI will review how nitrogen requirements differ for hybrid and open pollinated canola varieties.
For more information and to register for any of the events, visit the Manitoba Canola Growers Association website www.mcgacanola.org. or call 204-573-4992. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) are the lead agencies co-managing the PEP in Manitoba, in partnership with the MCGA.
MCGA is a member organization committed to maximizing net income from canola.
For more information on the PEP program please contact;
Jewel Mazur, PEP Coordinator
Phone: (204) 573-4992
Email: pep@mcgacanola.org
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