Each winter, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry entomologist Scott Meers and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry insect research technologist Shelley Barkley host #ABbugchat on Twitter, drawing the attention of growers across the province. This year, the pair released forecast maps for three pests: grasshopper, bertha armyworm and cabbage seedpod weevil. Here’s what you missed. Grasshoppers The forecast […] Read more
Three crop pests to watch for in Alberta in 2019
Grasshoppers, bertha armyworms and cabbage seedpod weevil
Two diseases to watch for in peas
Ascochyta blight and aphanomyces root rot occur in dry years as well as wet
If you’re growing peas for the first time this year, of if you haven’t grown them in a while, you’ll want to watch for these two diseases in your fields: ascochyta blight and aphanomyces root rot. The disease that is perhaps most concerning, most visible and most likely to cause yield loss is ascochyta, or […] Read more
Australian chaff decks show promise
From Down Under: a chemical-free tool to help manage post-harvest weeds
A new weed management tool that’s taking Australia by storm could be a good fit for Canadian farmers as well. Chaff lining, or the practice of concentrating the weed seed-bearing chaff material in confined rows behind the harvester, has helped Australian farmers to better control weeds. While it’s too early to tell if the system […] Read more
Managing Saskatchewan’s toughest weeds
You’ve seen these weeds before, and you’ll probably see them again
No matter which crops Saskatchewan farmers grow, the same weeds appear year after year. While the culprits are consistent, how you manage them is not, especially as herbicide resistance cases mount. For nearly 50 years, Canada thistle, wild oats, wild buckwheat and green foxtail have appeared in the top-five list of problematic weeds in Saskatchewan. […] Read more
Identifying those tough-to-ID weeds
Some hard-to-control weeds look a lot like less invasive weeds
In the spring when weeds seem to be popping up by the minute, knowing exactly what you have in the field will help you determine the best course of action. But some weed species and their doppelgangers are tough to tell apart. Clark Brenzil, Saskatchewan’s provincial weed specialist, outlines some of the trickier species and […] Read more
Soybean protein levels on the decline
What’s causing lower protein levels in soybeans grown in Western Canada?
Soybean protein levels in Western Canada are on the decline and lower than those found in Eastern Canada and parts of the United States. Although researchers aren’t certain of the cause, they suspect that selection for yield at the breeding and genetic levels may have something to do with it. Cassandra Tkachuk, production specialist at Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers, is one of […] Read more
Managing grasshopper outbreaks
Provincial forecast maps show mixed levels of grasshopper risks
Grasshopper forecasts, based on last summer’s population counts, weather data and recent trends, are now available in all three Prairie provinces for 2019. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry entomologist Scott Meers warns that a dry spring could lead to major risk of grasshopper outbreaks in 2019. In southern Alberta, consecutive dry summers have resulted in an increase in grasshopper […] Read more
Herbicide carryover may be high risk
If it was dry after last year’s application, there may be soil-residual herbicides
Crop selection for the 2019 growing season could prove challenging for growers in some parts of the Prairies, as a lack of rainfall means soil-residual herbicides could impact crop establishment. Moisture after application is critical for herbicide breakdown. In areas where rainfall was patchy at best, growers need to be conservative when selecting crops to […] Read more
Get the most efficiency from your nitrogen
Generally, banding is the most efficient method for reducing nutrient loss
If you’re looking for a quick and easy guide to choosing the right placement for your nitrogen application, there isn’t one. Neither is there a one-size-fits-all strategy for timing or rate. There are, however, clear guidelines on how to improve nitrogen efficiency while limiting environmental impact. University of Manitoba soil science professor Don Flaten explains. […] Read more
Worried about pea disease? Try peaola
Intercropping peas and canola can minimize disease and lower production costs
With international pea processor Roquette opening a plant in Portage la Prairie, Man., in 2020, many growers will be thinking about taking advantage of the opportunity. Some, however, will be worried about one of the biggest challenges of growing peas: disease. There may be a solution, though. Researchers and experimental farmers are finding answers in […] Read more
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