A killing frost Friday morning will damage a lot of crops in western Manitoba, including cereals and canola, says Lionel Kaskiw — and that’s what the forecast is calling for. “We needed at least until the third week of September or the end of September (without frost) and we’re getting (frost possibly) the second week […] Read more
Killing frost Friday would damage W. Man. crop
After the weekend, warmer, drier weather is forecast until the end of September
Soybean aphids found near Morden, but don’t panic
They've finally arrived, but the pest isn't likely to cause economic damage this season
The first soybean aphids of the season have been found near Morden but there are so few and it’s so late they are unlikely to be an economic pest this season, says Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development’s entomologist John Gavloski. “It’s happening very late so there could be some later-seeded fields that are still […] Read more
New biocontrol to fight fusarium in cereals
Using fire to fight fire, a new biocontrol product could be commercialized for use against fusarium head blight in a year or two. Adjuvants Plus at Kingsville, Ont. has reached a licensing agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to use its patented technology — a fungal organism called Clonostachys rosea, strain ACM941 — to […] Read more
Churchill open, hopes for record exports
The first ship of what’s hoped to be a record-breaking year was loading wheat at Manitoba’s Port of Churchill starting Tuesday. The M.V. Ikan Suji began taking on 32,500 tonnes of No. 2 Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat sold by Richardson International and destined for Mexico. Merv Tweed, president of OmniTrax Canada, which owns […] Read more
Invasion of the body snatchers
Grasshoppers being preyed upon by parasitic red mites
This grasshopper munching on a sunflower in southwestern Manitoba is being devoured by parasitic red mites (Eutrombidium locustarum), says Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (MAFRD) entomologist John Gavloski. The mites feed on the blood (hemolymph) of grasshoppers. They also prey on grasshopper eggs. Each female mite can lay up to 4,000 eggs, providing mite […] Read more
Grain commission bonding replacement plan stalls
After a year of negotiations to develop an insurance-based producer payment protection plan, the Canadian Grain Commission has called it quits, surprising and disappointing some farm groups. The CGC has been attempting to replace the current bonding system to protect farmers against payment defaults for grain delivered to merchandisers. It had been negotiating with with […] Read more
Grain drain — are carryover projections off the mark?
Canada will carryover more grain than usual when the crop year ends July 31, but analysts say it may be less than some people think. That mountain of Western grain created from a record harvest last fall, combined with poor rail service until spring, is being whittled away. In its July Outlook for Principle Crops […] Read more
Later canola seeding could mean less flea beetle damage
In addition to flea beetles, farmers should be scouting for cutworms, wireworms and grasshoppers
Flea beetles are munching on Manitoba canola crops but a provincial entomologist says the damage may look worse than it is. If there’s more than 25 per cent feeding damage after the canola crop has been planted for at least three weeks, an insecticide application could be economic, John Gavloski said in a Manitoba Agriculture, […] Read more
Grain handling firms rip CP chief’s claims
The organization representing the Prairies’ mainline grain handlers isn’t buying claims from Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway’s CEO about why the railway’s grain shipments are lagging. Hunter Harrison, in a full-page ad last week in Canada’s two national newspapers, said the harshest winter in 60 years, a record Western crop and grain companies not running 24/7 […] Read more
UPOV ’91 en route through feds’ ‘Agricultural Growth Act’
Canada has started the process of implementing UPOV ’91 — a stronger form of plant breeders’ rights that Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says will encourage more private sector plant breeding and is also expected to see farmers pay breeders more in royalties. The changes are part of Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act, introduced Monday […] Read more
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