This map from PrairieFHB.ca shows the FHB risk level for the CPSR wheat variety AAC Penhold, as of May 15. The higher-altitude Prairie-wide map was pretty green (low risk) so we’ve zoomed in here on the Medicine Hat and Lethbridge area of southern Alberta. Yellow denotes “moderate” risk; red denotes “high” risk, while black (not shown) would denote “very high.”

Maps now mark the spots for fusarium risk

Prairie-wide, variety-specific FHB risk maps now available online

Wheat, barley and durum growers in all three Prairie provinces can now check online whether fusarium head blight may be coming soon to a field near them. We’ve written before in these pages about the development and expected launch of new Prairie-wide fusarium head blight (FHB) risk maps — which have now gone live online […] Read more

Malteurop, which operates a malt house at the east end of Winnipeg, is one of several malting companies with a presence in Manitoba. (Dave Bedard photo)

CMBTC study finds new malting barley lines a fit for Manitoba

Agronomic traits in new varieties overcome disease issues that held crop back

Manitoba farmers have improved prospects to access the more-lucrative malting barley market, according to a recent study. The report by the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC), in collaboration with the Manitoba Crop Alliance, says new Canadian malting barley varieties can be grown successfully in Manitoba. With yields and quality comparable to the check variety […] Read more


A look at one of the plot locations used during the field testing of the University of Manitoba’s fusarium head blight risk assessment tool.

FHB risk assessment tool created for Western Canada

With real-time data, the new tool shows the risk of FHB in small grain cereal crops on a specified date

A new online tool developed by a team of scientists and researchers in Manitoba could soon make fusarium head blight (FHB) risk management in cereal crops easier for Prairie farmers. For the past five years, staff in the department of soil science at the University of Manitoba (U of M) have been working on a […] Read more

Fungicide being applied at the flag leaf stage of wheat in July 2019. The field trial at Bon Accord, Alta., was part of an Alberta Agriculture project looking into optimal fungicide timings for two CWRS cultivars.

Fungicide timing for wheat leaf disease and FHB

A single fungicide application at the anthesis stage may produce the best results

Prairie grain producers always keep close tabs on the weather during the growing season to see if conditions turn favourable for disease development in their crops. If that happens, there may not be a simple answer to the question of whether to spray or not. And much of that has to do with timing. “The […] Read more


Jake Ayre says he was happy with the results of the AAC Wheatland VB midget tolerant wheat he grew on his family’s farm this past summer (shown here with his dog, Finn) and will consider growing it again.

Protect the midge tolerant trait : there is no plan B

Without the proper refuge, midge tolerance could break down within 10 years

You wouldn’t buy a brand new house without purchasing a home insurance policy, and you wouldn’t take that classic Corvette out for a spin without auto insurance.   That line of thinking can also apply to farming. As a farmer, if there’s something you can do to protect your investment, odds are you’re going to do […] Read more

Researchers at Farming Smarter in Lethbridge, Alta., tested the Spornado in different crops to determine if the location of the sampler made a difference. Generally, an open area of the field is preferred, and try to avoid field edges or being next to a gravel road where dust could overload the collection cassette.

Keep tabs on crop disease risk

Even the occasional rain event during a dry growing season can stimulate a crop disease outbreak

Is there a need for an early-warning system for crop diseases during a dry growing season? Generally, most farmers and agronomists agree with dry or drought conditions the risk of crop disease outbreaks is greatly reduced, if non-existent. And that is true to a large extent. Looking at the classic crop disease triangle, the three […] Read more


The spray window for fusarium head blight in wheat may only be a few days, so timing is critical.

Four tips for FHB spray applications in wheat

To prevent outbreaks consider spray preparation, double nozzles, coarser sprays and lower booms

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most destructive wheat diseases in Western Canada, affecting the yield, grade and end-use quality of infected crops. Fungicides can be very effective in preventing FHB outbreaks, as long as they’re applied on time and sprayed the right way. Tom Wolf, a sprayer expert and scientist at Agrimetrix […] Read more

The openings on the roots of soybean plants infected by SCN may cause the plant to be more susceptible to the development of root rot and seedling diseases.

Crop disease experts take stock of 2020

Your provincial roundup of pulse and soybean diseases, what to watch for this year and emerging threats

From east to west, pulse and soybean growers face disease challenges, and last year was no different. For example, producers from all three provinces struggled with aphanomyces root rot in peas and lentils, Manitoba’s soybean farmers were warned of increased cases of soybean cyst nematode (plants are more susceptible to root rot and seedling disease […] Read more


Faked fuzz facts on fusarium

Faked fuzz facts on fusarium

The real story of Alberta’s fusarium head blight control program

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat, barley, oat, rye and triticale caused by Fusarium graminearum is the most destructive disease of cereals in Western Canada right now. This fungus is also a destructive disease on corn, particularly in Ontario and the United States, where it is the exact same disease that we have on small […] Read more

New canola varieties for 2021

New canola varieties for 2021

Almost two dozen canola hybrids will be coming your way, some with improved shatter and clubroot resistance

Looking for the latest canola options? Twenty-three new hybrids will be hitting the market for western Canadian farmers in 2021. Strong standability, improved shatter resistance and clubroot resistance are major themes in the new lineup. Please note, the following list includes only brand new variety releases for 2021. BASF InVigor L357P is a pod shatter-reduction […] Read more