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Farmers looking at quick melt as unseasonable warmth spreads across prairies

With many areas looking at above-20-degree temperatures, farmers will see any remaining snowpack leave soon.

That's the consensus among weather forecasting services, which are forecasting a strong westerly flow across the prairies.

Alberta has been the odd province out as it's had less snow to keep things cold compared to Saskatchewan or Manitoba, but that's set to equal out soon.

The combined melting will be good for farmers, so long as more moisture isn't coming down, says Weatherlogics CEO Scott Kehler.

"I think with the way things are playing out now It's pretty good for farmers. They've got a decent snowpack so that will help get them some spring moisture. Then assuming that we don't get any significant rain events in April or May, it'll probably be fairly normal seeding dates in general, so looks like a better start to the year as opposed to last year, which was delayed in many areas."

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LALEXPERT: Sclerotinia cycle and prophylactic methods

Video: LALEXPERT: Sclerotinia cycle and prophylactic methods

White rot, also known as sclerotinia, is a common agricultural fungal disease caused by various virulent species of Sclerotinia. It initially affects the root system (mycelium) before spreading to the aerial parts through the dissemination of spores.

Sclerotinia is undoubtedly a disease of major economic importance, and very damaging in the event of a heavy attack.

All these attacks come from the primary inoculum stored in the soil: sclerotia. These forms of resistance can survive in the soil for over 10 years, maintaining constant contamination of susceptible host crops, causing symptoms on the crop and replenishing the soil inoculum with new sclerotia.