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By Alice McFarlane

Clubroot Map 2020

More clubroot found in Saskatchewan

Jan 14, 2020 | 10:21 AM

The Saskatchewan clubroot map and survey have show more cases of the disease appeared in the province last year.

A total of 51 fields have confirmed cases of clubroot while the clubroot pathogen was detected in five fields without symptoms.

Sask Canola Chair Lane Stockbrugger said it wasn’t a surprise there were new fields on the list and the areas they came from.

“It’s going to spread from the areas that we’re seeing and that’s really the importance of the map so we can trace where it is, where it’s going,” Stockbrugger told farmnewsNOW. “Seeing those eight additional cases, it’s the expansion of the disease. This is where the map is important because it allows us to follow where it’s going to be and helps us to actually work with farmers on how to prevent that spread or to slow that spread down as much as possible.”

The number seemed low considering how many fields are infected in Alberta. Stockbrugger said it’s a gradual change in Saskatchewan.

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“I guess it’s encouraging because, number one, it means that it didn’t end up in places where we weren’t expecting it. That’s positive, but it allows us now to look at it and say, where do we need to focus on building those plans with farmers to reduce the spread of it,” he said. “It’s everything from using clubroot resistant varieties, talking about three-year minimum rotations and what can farmers be doing from an economic perspective to keep it to a minimum.”

There were roughly 1,700 samples collected by the provincial ministry and another 180 submitted by producers under a free collection program. Half of the new cases were found from that program.

Stockbrugger said he was encouraged by those numbers.

“We had 180 farmers that wanted to participate in that survey, and they took it upon themselves to care enough about the disease, about my farm, that I want to deal with this. They wanted to know, so that was a step in the right direction for us. And also, it allows us to expand that even further next year.”

Stockbrugger said many farmers are engaged and taking it upon themselves to submit samples at Sask. Canola events across the province. But he also some producers are hesitant to find out if the disease is present on their farm.

“You’re going to have some of that. It’s encouraging to see that the vast majority want to know more about it. They want to know that if they have it, what can they do as a result,” he said. “Education is key. We’re trying to work very closely with them.”

Stockbrugger said if you find clubroot in one of your fields it not the end of your farm. It just means doing things differently.

He said it’s too early to say if the monitoring process will change in 2020.

“I think we’re happy to see the engagement that we had between SARM, the Ministry of Agriculture and Sask. Canola. I suspect we’re going to see more farmers submitting samples,” he said. “We haven’t determined what the process will be for 2020. I think you will see more farmers taking advantage of the testing which, from my perspective, is positive because it’s being proactive. That’s all we could ask for.”

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF