corn field

Corn could be your 2015 cash crop

If you thought you lived on the fringe of the corn-growing area, 
it may be time to take a look at today’s varieties

Farmers in Alberta are planting more and more corn. From 5,000 acres in 1990 the area under cultivation has expanded to over 40,000 in 2014. Alberta agriculture professionals expect this trend to continue, driven by increased demand from domestic livestock producers. Though corn requires high inputs, it can produce very high per acre yields, and […] Read more

Stripe rust update: July 24, 2014

Stripe rust update: July 24, 2014

Weather providing good infection conditions, but development progressing slowly

Dr. Denis Gaudet at AAFC-Lethbrige, and his crew, surveyed fourteen winter wheat and 22 spring wheat fields were surveyed for stripe rust in the Lethbridge, Warner, Taber, Forty Mile and Cypress counties of southern Alberta. Regular thunder showers  and cool evening temperatures have provided good infection conditions for development of stripe rust. However, stripe rust […] Read more


Bugs helping to control bugs in Alberta

In his weekly Call of the Land interview, Alberta Agriculture insect specialist Scott Meers says wheat midge are now emerging across the province. “Interestingly enough, they’re actually coming out first in the Peace and just this week they’re starting to come out across the rest of the province,” Meers said. Recent warm weather should mean a […] Read more

Grain seeds contaminated with fusarium.

Alberta’s fusarium action plan

Fusarium graminearum is listed as a pest under the Alberta Agricultural Pests Act. To control the disease and keep it from lowering grain yield and quality, the province of Alberta has an extensive management plan in place. But some believe the Fusarium Management Plan is be too restrictive. Alberta’s Fusarium Management Plan was developed to […] Read more