Clubroot pathogen detected in two Southwest RMS

For the first time a pair of Southwest RMS are included in the Saskatchewan Clubroot Distribution Map.

Both the RM of Webb #138 and the RM of Gull Lake #139 are on the list of 13 RMS where the clubroot pathogen has been detected, but there are no visible symptoms of clubroot. First time detections were also reported in the RM of Rosedale #283, the RM of Willow Creek #458, the RM of Prince Albert #461, the RM of Duck Lake, plus the RM of Nipawin #487. Additionally, there were four new RMS where clubroot was confirmed in fields for the first time (RM of Rudy #284, RM of Great Bend #405, RM of Douglas #436, and the RM of Wilton #472).

There are three RMS where over 10 fields are exhibiting clubroot symptoms, with 24 having between one and nine fields with clubroot symptoms.

In total the Clubroot Distribution Map, released on January 11 by the Government of Saskatchewan and Saskcanola, shows the results of clubroot monitoring program soil tests from over 966 fields examined during the 2020.

Clubroot is a declared pest under Saskatchewan’s Pest Control Act. Visible clubroot symptoms have been confirmed in 75 commercial canola fields since 2017. This has increased by 24 fields since the last update one year ago. The number of fields with the clubroot pathogen detected where there were no visible symptoms also increased by 18 in 2020, for a total of 29 fields. These results are compiled annually via ministry surveys and reports/ samples submitted to the ministry and Saskcanola by producers and agrologists.

“Tracking, early detection and management of clubroot will allow producers to prevent substantial yield loss,” Agriculture Minister

David Marit said. “Education and awareness of clubroot continue to be a priority to help growers and industry members prevent the further spread of the disease within Saskatchewan.”

Last year, the ministry and Saskcanola offered producers the opportunity to take home soil testing bags to fill and mail in for testing. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, soil testing bags could not be picked up at events such as Ag in Motion, as in previous years. However, producers and agrologists were still able to receive a free soil testing bag via the ministry’s website, or from a regional office, Saskcanola office or their division plant health officer.

Distribution of testing bags was aided by the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities’

participation in the 2020 clubroot monitoring program. In all, 231 soil samples were submitted and sent to Discovery Seed Labs, where they were tested for the clubroot pathogen. Of these soil samples, 11 returned positive results. Saskcanola covered the costs of each test.

“Surveying the province for the disease is important to ensure that we are making our decisions about management on evidence and data,” Saskcanola Board of Directors Chair Wayne Truman said. “We continue to encourage farmers to test their soil for clubroot so that it can be caught early and reduce the potential impact on yield.”

The goal of the tests is to detect the pathogen when spore levels are low to minimize potential impact on canola yields. A proactive and science-based clubroot management strategy should include the use of clubroot-resistant canola varieties in a minimum three-year rotation. An extended crop rotation helps minimize yield losses while protecting the effectiveness of clubroot-resistant canola varieties.

The landowners of all fields with visible clubroot symptoms or fields with the presence of the pathogen have been contacted. The locations of these fields have also been shared with the appropriate RM office if they had enacted a clubroot-specific bylaw. All clubroot-infested fields will be monitored by an appointed pest control officer. The specific land locations are not shared publicly to protect the privacy of producers.

Cypress Regional Hospital Birth Announcements

WALDNER - born to Abigail and Josh Waldner of Cabri, a boy, January 4.

MCINTOSH - born to Amanda and Brett Mcintosh of Swift Current, a boy, January 4.

BLANKE - born to Becca and Andy Blanke of Swift Current, a girl, January 2.

WAGNER – born to Brooke and Michael Wagner of Swift Current, a boy, January 1.

WONG - born to Heidi and Scott Wong of Swift Current, a boy, December 30.

GARCIA - born to Courtney and Tyler Garcia

of Swift Current, a boy, December 28.

KLASSEN - born to Katharina and Johan Klassen of Wymark, a boy, December 25.