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Testing for aphanomyces

By
Discovery Seed Labs in Saskatoon offers DNA testing for aphanomyces. Farmers should send either soil or plant samples. “As soon as you start to notice symptoms, you can start pulling plants. And we can have a look at it and see what it is,” said Bruce Carriere, owner of Discovery. Carriere suggested sampling from areas […] Read more
wheat field
Crops, Features

Crop trials show profit-raising products

Field trials give farmers a chance to see a product’s real in-field results

By
Farmers have a plethora of inputs to choose from these days, but one ag retailer hopes to help farmers sort through their options by running field-scale trials in northwestern Saskatchewan. And those trials focus not only on yield, but how likely that product is to provide a return-on-investment (ROI) for local farmers. “Just because a […] Read more
Crops, Features

Integrated pest management

Integrated techniques offer farmers a bigger toolbox for pest control

By
Integrated pest management (IPM) involves a range of pest control methods. According to Pierre Petelle, vice-president of chemistry for CropLife Canada, IPM is “a process that uses all necessary techniques to suppress pests in an effective, economical and environmentally friendly manner.” In IPM, “pests” are broadly defined as weeds, insects and diseases. IPM techniques can […] Read more
man in field with net for catching grasshoppers
Crops, Features

Taking the count

The first part of deciding whether or not you need 
to spray your field is getting an accurate pest count

By
Most recommendations about pesticides include an economic threshold — if you have more than the specified number of pests per square metre, spraying could be an effective option for you. So before you can make your decision, you’re going to need to take a census. At Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Crop Diagnostic School at Indian Head in […] Read more
lygus bug
Canola, Features

How to find lygus bugs

Lygus bugs can cause extensive crop damage. Scout for them in your canola crops

By
In recent years, high populations of lygus bugs have been reported in a large portion of Alberta, as well as in some fields in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. While lygus bugs are always present in canola fields, outbreaks of high populations can cause extensive crop damage. For the most part, canola can compensate for much of […] Read more
alfalfa forage
Crops, Features, Forages

Using alfalfa to solve pitfalls

When canola and wheat prices are falling, consider the benefits of alfalfa

By
Perennial legumes, especially alfalfa, bring benefits to a cropping system that can override initial concern many growers may have when it comes to the economics of the practice. Around the world, some countries are concerned about the lack of local available water for growing their own forage. “There is a growing trend for longer-term commitments […] Read more
grasshopper on grass
Crops, Features

Changing grasshopper species

The difference between grasshoppers that damage crops, those that don't, and when to check

By
While the most important action farmers can take to protect their crops is to be aware of the most current insect monitoring information from provincial ag departments, says Dan Johnson, an environmental science professor at the University of Lethbridge. the best in-field tip remains the same year after year: know the difference between grasshoppers that […] Read more
grasshopper forecast map for Manitoba
Crops, Features

Getting those grasshoppers

Most areas won’t have grasshopper problems in 2014. But there are 
some places where farmers should hone their identification skills

By
For the most part, Saskatchewan farmers are unlikely to be fighting waves of grasshoppers this year, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s 2014 hopper forecast. But Saskatchewan’s 2014 forecast does show one bull’s eye of severe risk. “And in the middle of that bull’s eye is Meadow Lake,” Peter Walsh told farmers at Cavalier Agrow’s farm forum […] Read more
corn stalks
Corn, Crops, Features

Mixing corn hybrids to increase yield

There may be advantages to mixing corn hybrids, but it’s not recommended practice in Manitoba

By
There are advantages to mixing hybrids, such as lengthening the period of pollen availability to potentially decrease the risk of poor pollination from moisture stress during flowering and promoting cross pollination toward larger kernels and higher grain protein. However, it has not yet been determined whether or not planting them across neighbouring fields offers similar […] Read more
swede midge in different stages of development
Crops, Features

Swede midge life cycle

Understanding the swede midge’s life cycle is the first 
step on the way to controlling this new pest

By
Swede midge adults emerge from mid-May to mid-June from pupae that have overwintered in the soil in cocoons. At least, this is the experience in Ontario — a great deal of research is still required to understand the insect and its life cycle nuances in Saskatchewan. The adult is a very small, delicate, light- brown/grey […] Read more

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