Clubroot has struck again in the MD of Bonnyville.
The soil-borne disease, which affects canola fields, continues to spread within the municipality, with more fields found this year.
“We did identify three additional fields this year for clubroot in canola, all in that same area south of Glendon,” detailed general manager of environmental and protective services with the MD, Matt Janz.
He explained during council's regular meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 25 how out of the 330 fields inspected, three were identified within the same region as previous years. Two of the fields are rented, while the third is owned by the farmer growing on it.
“We’re working with those farmers to come up with a plan. They did get served a pest notice, so they will have restrictions on growing canola," stated Janz, adding the fields with clubroot are within a few miles of each other.
“Transfer of soil spores probably came through equipment that went from field to field, maybe they didn’t do proper clean out and make sure that the dirt was knocked off of the equipment," he said.
Planning ahead, the MD will be looking at the specific strain of clubroot found and will be purchasing the proper seeds in order to avoid the spread of the disease.
Every year, the MD holds a clubroot information session that teaches farmers about the disease and how to avoid spreading it to their fields.
“That’s part of our job is the education. We hold farmer meetings to try and educate them that the main source of infection is soil. It’s a soil-borne disease, it’s transferred through soil spores, and to try as much as possible to knock it all off,” expressed Janz. “We dedicate one day to clubroot and canola, and we do other producer meetings throughout the year, and we bring the information with us."
Coun. Ben Fadeyiw wondered if the MD should host smaller meetings in addition to their full-day clubroot information session. This way, farmers who can't attend the session are able to get the same information about the disease.
Janz said, “Do all farmers know about clubroot? Most do. If you’re a bigger farmer, you’re probably more educated than I am on the subject. That’s their bread and butter. They know what they need to do to stop the spread of clubroot.”
