The usual suspects are back this year, and they’re looking to take a bite out of your yields: grasshoppers, bertha armyworm, and cabbage seedpod weevil.

Three crop pests to watch for in Alberta in 2019

Grasshoppers, bertha armyworms and cabbage seedpod weevil

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


Seeding begins slightly behind five-year average

Saskatchewan Crop Report for the week ending May 6

Despite cool weather this past week, many producers have begun seeding operations and many more expect to be in the field this coming week, once conditions improve. Thirteen per cent of the crop is now seeded, which is slightly behind the five-year average (2014-2018) of 14 per cent for this time of year. Recent cool […] Read more

Pam Bailey, chair and co-founder of Ag Women Manitoba farms with her husband and in-laws in Dacotah, Manitoba and is also a director with Manitoba Canola Growers.

Building a network can empower women working in agriculture

When asked about the importance of empowering women in agriculture, Pam Bailey’s response is simple: “Empowering women is always beneficial in every community, so why should agriculture be any different?” While strides have been made over the years to improve inclusivity in agriculture, it’s important to build on that momentum. Building women up in agriculture […] Read more





The two-striped grasshopper is a pest. If you have to spray, spray early, since juveniles are easy to kill. But wait until the hatch is finished.

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

Your farm financial scorecard

Your farm financial scorecard

Farm financial statements can offer you a lot more than just a way to keep score

If you had time to go golfing or perhaps mini-golfing last summer, you likely filled out a scorecard to track your success (or lack thereof). Keeping score allows you to track your progress and rank yourself against your competition. The golf clubs, green fees, and your time represent a significant investment and the scorecard measures […] Read more


Most injuries happen when a farm operator is working alone with equipment.

Stay safe while you’re working alone

Farm jobs are often done by one person, alone. Know how to be safe in that situation

One of the most relaxing parts of a work day can be some alone time — doing work you love in peace and quiet. It can also be one of the most deadly parts of the work day. If you become ill or injured while working alone, what’s your plan? Most equipment operations are solitary […] Read more

Auger, sweep, vac and extractor safety

Auger, sweep, vac and extractor safety

Tractors are dangerous, but so are augers, grain sweeps and grain bag extractors

Augers, sweeps, vacs and extractors are all built to move grain from one area to another — generally either into or out of storage such as a grain bin or grain bag. Augers have long been a serious entanglement hazard, and while the newer augers have improved safety features the single most important safety feature […] Read more


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