two striped grasshopper

Grasshopper threat remains for Saskatchewan crops

Hot, dry conditions in mid- to late summer and well into fall were ideal for egg laying

Grasshoppers didn’t pose a serious threat to crops in most parts of Saskatchewan in 2024 — but a leading entomologist warned growers attending the recent Saskatchewan Agronomy Update conference not to be lulled into a false sense of security about the threat they could present this coming season. James Tansey, an insect pest management specialist […] Read more


photo of a gopher on a mound of earth

The ground squirrel survey says…

Saskatchewan has surveyed farmers to get a new read on Richardson’s ground squirrel populations and on-farm damage

Richardson’s ground squirrel damage has frustrated Saskatchewan farmers for years. Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture recently conducted a survey of farmers to better understand where Richardson’s ground squirrels are present, the methods producers use to deal with them, and which approaches are most effective. The online survey was conducted this past December and January. A total […] Read more

“On some of our hay land, they ate the alfalfa down to where it’s gone completely.” Shawn Kramer.

Prairie pest offers ‘a tough battle’

Strychnine may no longer be an option for swelling ground squirrel populations, but other effective tactics are available

Richardson’s ground squirrels, which are sometimes referred to as gophers, can cause major problems for farmers and ranchers. In high enough numbers, they can decimate crops and forages and pockmark pasture land, making it hazardous for livestock. Persistent drought conditions have contributed to high ground squirrel populations in some parts of the Prairies in recent […] Read more