The 2021 Saskatchewan Clubroot Distribution Map, describing clubroot's distribution in rural municipalities across the province has been released by SaskCanola.
"This protects our producers, landowners and our strong canola market," said David Marit, Provincial Agriculture Minister.
Surveys and reports/samples compile the map released annually in mid-January from producers and agrologists.
Under the Pest Control Act of Saskatchewan, clubroot is considered a pest.
Nine more fields were detected with clubroot pathogen DNA in the soil in 2021, for a total of 38 in Saskatchewan. However, none of these detections had visible symptoms of the clubroot pest.
While Saskatchewan's infection rate remains low compared to other prairie provinces, it is increasing.
Fields affected by clubroot were found near North Battleford and Meadow Lake, and all concentrated in northern parts of Saskatchewan.
Last year, a voluntary sampling program between the ministry and SaskCanola encouraged producers to test their fields for clubroot. Producers and agrologists were supplied with free test kits throughout 2021.
As a result of the voluntary soil testing program, 100 soil samples were submitted. Among these soil samples, researchers found only one to be positive.
"Ongoing clubroot surveying in Saskatchewan is critical for early detection and diligent management," SaskCanola Board of Directors Chair Bernie McClean said in last week's press release on the matter. "We continue to invest levy dollars into the provincial clubroot survey program to help farmers manage this disease with evidence and data."
The clubroot survey of 2021 examined 750 fields in 200 RMs. Landowners have been notified fields where the clubroot pathogen DNA was detected. The specific location of the land is not disclosed to protect the privacy of the producers.
Kits for soil testing will also be provided free of charge in 2022 and will be available on the ministry's website and offices.
