During the 2015 growing season, some Manitoba canola producers used a product containing the active ingredient quinclorac in order to control cleavers. Quinclorac, while registered for use on canola in Canada, does not have maximum residue levels (MRLs) established in several key export markets.

Leading into the 2016 growing season, Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) believes it is imperative for Manitoba canola producers to understand the status of this issue:

• MCGA remains focused on protecting the interest of farmers;
• MCGA understands that cleavers have become a significant weed problem in Canada and we are funding research to understand and promote solutions;
• The member companies of the Western Grains Elevator Association and the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association have individually advised that they will not accept delivery of canola grown and harvested in 2016 that has been treated with quinclorac;
• If you are considering using quinclorac on canola in 2016, you need to consult your local elevator, crushing plant, or grain buyer, as the information we have to date is that they will not be accepting quinclorac treated canola in 2016.

Click here for a very important article that highlights some of researcher Ian Epp’s research findings: Make a cleaver management plan, CanolaWATCH, Issue #3, March 17, 2016.

Ian grew up on a farm near Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan, and is still involved in the operation. After completing his undergrad at the U of S, with an agronomy major, he started (and has nearly completed) a masters degree in weed science with a focus on cleaver control in canola. Last fall, Ian was hired as the newest agronomy specialist with the CCC and represents the territory of Northwest Saskatchewan. Click here to contact the CCC agronomy team.

Keep It Clean – 5 simple steps to get your canola ready for export

1. Use pesticides at the correct rate, timing, and pre-harvest interval.
2. Do not use unregistered pesticides or those with unacceptable residues.
3. Always follow the canola storage recommendations.
4. Grow blackleg resistant varieties and use practices that reduce infection.
5. Do not grow these varieties: ROUNDUP READY POLISH (B. RAPA)
   Hysyn 101RR, BROMOXYNIL TOLERANT 295BX, Armor BX, Cartier BX, Zodiac BX, Renegade BX, or LIBERTY LINK (B. NAPUS) Exceed, 2631 LL, Swallow, SW Legion LL, SW Flare LL, LBD 2393 LL, Innovator, Independence, HCN 14, Phoenix, 3850, 2153, 3640, 3880, 2163, 2273.

To read the Keep It Clean information in full, please click here. Growers play an important role in keeping canola markets open. Read more about canola market access here.

 

MCGA will continue to provide its members with all current information available on the crop protection product, quinclorac, for the 2016 growing season:

• Grainews – Cleavers not threatening exports, Canola Council says – May 31, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• PortageOnline – WGEA says members won’t accept crops treated with these two chemicals – April 29, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• RealAgriculture – Why won’t grain companies take quinclorac-treated canola? – April 26, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Western Producer – MRL for quinclorac on canola in the works – April 21, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Western Producer – Quinclorac controversy heats up – April 21, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Manitoba Cooperator – Grain companies won’t buy crops treated with quinclorac or chlormequat in 2016 – April 14, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• CanolaWatch – Controlling cleavers? Read this advisory on quinclorac – April 13, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Canola Council of Canada – Opportunity for Stable Canola Trade with China Welcomed – March 29, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Manitoba Cooperator – Canola growers asked not to use quinclorac herbicide this year – March 21, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• GNG – Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs), Quinclorac and China, March 9, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Ag Annex – Status of quinclorac acceptance in China highlights export issues, March 7, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Western Producer – MRLs continute to be vexing issue for farmers written by Kevin Hursh (WP), February 18, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• RealAgriculture’s Canola School: Keeping the Chinese Market Open – The Canola Council of Canada’s Position on Quinclorac Herbicide, February 17, 2016 – click here to view.
• RealAgriculture: Ritz Baffled By Quinclorac Policy; Canola Council Responds, February 18, 2016– click here to view.
• RealAgriculture’s Canola School: Keeping the Chinese Market Open – The Canola Council of Canada’s Position on Quinclorac Herbicide, February 17, 2016 – click here to view.
• COPA – COPA supports CCC statement against using quinclorac in 2016, January 2016.
• Western Producer – Letters to the editor: Best Practices on MRLswritten by Patti Miller, President of the Canola Council of Canada, January 28, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Western Producer – Growers must be conscious of MRLs written by Sean Pratt (WP), January 28, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Western Producer – Canola growers still simmering over quinclorac written by Sean Pratt (WP), January 21, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Grainews – Managing Group-2 resistant weeds in pulse crops across western Canada, January 19, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• West Central Online –Quinclorac & Canola: Why you shouldn’t use it, January 15, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Crop Protection News – Canola Council of Canada advises against quinclorac use, January 13, 2016 – click here to read in full.
• Canola Council of Canada – Canola Council advises against using quinclorac in 2016, January 11, 2016, click here to read in full.
• BASF – Facet L Herbicide – click here to view.
• GNG – Clever (Cleaver Control) – click here to view.