In western Canada, field surveys are showing an increased presence of two species of cleavers, which are difficult to control in many crops such as canola.

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is a destructive soilborne disease that is now prevalent on canola (Brassica napus) in central Alberta and appears to be spreading to other regions of the Prairies.

Genetic resistance to blackleg in canola varieties has been widely used in disease control. However, breakdown of host genetic resistance due to population shifts and the emergence of new races of the pathogen is a growing concern.

Blackleg, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, used to be the most widespread fungal disease of canola in western Canada. The disease was well controlled for many years with resistant canola cultivars and extended crop rotation, but has increased noticeably in recent years.

For canola growers, the establishment of an adequate and even plant stand is essential to reaching yield potential. A three-year study was conducted in Saskatchewan from 2012 to 2014 to determine if the SeedMaster UltraPro canola roller can produce more uniform canola seed placement than conventional fluted rollers.

A four-year, multiple location study was initiated in Saskatchewan in 2011 to provide information on the overall risk of environmental yield loss in straight-combined canola, and to quantify genetic differences in Brassica napus seed losses due to pod drop and pod shattering.

Clubroot, caused by the pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae (Pb) can be a devastating disease to canola crops. Since 2009, resistant canola cultivars have been available in Canada but all of them are based on a single dominant R gene.

In 2014 researchers initiated a project to collect baseline information on how management practices affect the storage conditions of canola over the summer months.

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan initiated a three-year project in 2012 to develop methods to improve the fatty acid composition of aquaculture fish fed algae-vegetable oil blends instead of fish oils.

The management of large volumes of hog manure on agricultural land is a critical challenge due to its low N:P ratio and stringent regulations based on soil test phosphorus (P) levels.

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world, and frequent glyphosate use has selected for glyphosate-resistant (GR weeds). In 2011 and 2012, surveys documented the occurrence of GR kochia in Alberta.

Canola proteins represent an emerging plant-based alternative, with tremendous opportunity for growth, based on their functional and nutritional properties. Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan initiated a five-year multi-component project in 2010, with the overall goal to develop formulated canola protein-based ingredients that could then be tailored to specific food applications.

Straight combining canola can save time and money and result in improved seed quality. However timing of harvest is critical to reduce the risk and magnitude of yield losses from preharvest shattering and pod drop losses.

Cabbage seedpod weevil (csw) has become a chronic problem for canola growers in areas south of highway 1 in Alberta and SW Saskatchewan. Lygus bugs, like the csw arrive to canola fields at bud and early flower, but they peak later at the early or mature pod stage.

Every year in western Canada there is a large investment in testing of canola genotypes/varieties in both small-plot and larger-scale trials, or strip plot trials.

The demand for diversified, easily transported, carbon-neutral energy from biomass, including 'waste' biomasses, such as sawdust, crop residues and other industrial wastes, is increasing.

Clubroot poses a serious threat to the canola industry in Alberta and western Canada because of its long-lived spores, its ability to rapidly multiply, and its detrimental effect on canola yields.

Researchers in Saskatchewan conducted a three-year project to identify virulence genes in the Leptosphaeria maculans genome, the pathogen that causes blackleg in canola.

Root maggots are serious insect pests of canola across western Canada, and especially throughout central and northern Alberta. Researchers at the University of Alberta initiated a project to develop canola germplasm resistant to infestation by root maggots.

In western Canada, Sclerotinia stem rot continues to be a serious disease of canola. Researchers at the University of Manitoba led a two-year study to assess the risk of sclerotinia stem rot disease on canola based on standard weather conditions and the canopy microclimate.