Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 6834 Here, industry experts discuss issues that are top-of-mind, share technical advancements and talk about tips for success. ADVICE FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS NOW THAT 2017 is here, seed quality for the coming season is a concern for two reasons. Seed-borne fungus in cereal seed — lots of questions have been coming in on mycotoxin levels in feed. Other fusarium species appear to be on the rise as well. The geogra- phy of these hot spots of F. gramine- arum are spread throughout many districts of Western Canada, including southern and central Saskatchewan, southern Alberta and Manitoba. We are observing and hearing of low infection rates in central Alberta, but the incidence is trending higher than in previous years. The other major concern is higher-than-usual ascochyta levels in pulses. This situation was caused by all the rain and snow we received during the harvest period as well as seed-borne fungus. The diseases that we are seeing could equate to reduced plant popu- lation and stand density and yield for harvest 2017, which is a major concern for many. Seed treatment products that act as both a contact and systemic fungicide protect the seed and will help mitigate this SEED TREATMENT SEED TREATMENTS A MUST IN 2017 Beth Markert Bayer Canada SeedGrowth Specialist Southern Alberta @BCSBethM beth.markert@bayer.com cropscience.bayer.ca disease pressure. The most vulnerable time for a crop is before it emerges. Application is key. There is nothing more important than applying the seed treatment in a way that will allow you to get good uniform cov- erage on the seed. There are some common myths about seed treatment. One is that seed treatments just cover the seed and protect it from that point onward, having no effect on the seed’s current disease state. In reality, seed treatments can actually reduce the amount of disease in seed after treat- ing and protect the inside and outside of the seed. Another myth? That seed treatments only last on the seed for a few days. A good seed treat- ment product should protect seeds from disease for two to three weeks after planting. As for what 2017 will bring, it really depends on how the weather plays out for the winter and spring months. A harsh cold winter could help to kill off some soil-borne diseases. Best practices include having your seed sent away and tested at an accredited lab, and planting only high germi- nating and high vigour seed back into the ground. I hope to see an increase in seed treatment usage, especially after seeing so many seed tests come back with such high levels of disease. These concerns should be taken seriously, as sub-par germination, combined with elevated seed-borne fungus, could jeopardize targeted plant popula- tions and result in uneven stand establishment. The potential consequences of not using seed treatment — these pathogens are of the greatest impact to your crop and will lead to reduced plant population and yield. Clockwise from top left: Fusarium graminearum; true loose smut; Cochliobolus sativus (root rot seedling blight).