b'CLUBROOTStay Vigilant When it Comes to Clubroot ManagementAcross Alberta, cases of clubroot are on the riseeven in once clubroot-free areas in southern Alberta. The Canola Council of Canada offers solid advice for those who have clubroot, and those who dont want it. IN 2018, researchers from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and the University of Alberta surveyed 543 canola crops for clubroot occurrence and spread. The surveys resulted in 79 newly recorded cases of the disease. County and municipal personnel identified another 221 cases, bringing the total of new cases for 2018 to 300 and the grand total to 3,044 confirmed cases since 2003. While the outbreak is still most severe in central Alberta, the disease continues to spread in the Peace Country and in southern Alberta, albeit more slowly. Results for 2019 surveys continue to come in. At the time of this report, many regions were still under surveillance.The first cases of clubroot appeared in Rocky View County, a municipality that surrounds Calgary in southern Alberta, in 2018. Jeff Fleischer, manager of Agricultural and Environmental Services for Rocky View County, oversees services like weed and pest control, and inspections and surveys. His department is responsible for the countywide clubroot survey, an area that covers nearly one million acres. This year, students hired on as crop inspectors surveyed about 350 canola fields, each about 160 acres in size.Surveying, which started in May and wrapped up in October, involves inspecting plant roots at the main approach of each field. Last year, crop inspectors found four new cases of clubroot in Rocky View County. That number may have risen to five as of this year. Were about halfway through our survey for this year, and we do have one potential new case, said Fleischer. Were just waiting for lab results.These numbers are not alarming when compared to the region around Edmonton where there are hundreds of infected fields. What is alarming is last year was the first time they found cases in this region, which indicates further spread in southern Alberta.If we dont happen to find clubroot in the approach, it doesnt necessarily mean that its clubroot-free, but in most cases thats the main location where clubroot is found, said Fleischer.Clubroot is a named pest under the Agricultural Pest Control Act of Alberta, which means growers are issued a notice when new cases arise. Once clubroot is found in an approach, crop inspectors will return to examine the field more thoroughly. At that point, the municipal government will begin to work closely with affected farmers, teaching them how to manage theClubroot continues to spread in the Peace Country and southern Alberta.problem and reduce the risk of spread. They teach farmers howPHOTO: DAN ORCHARD56seed.ab.ca'