Prairie crop producers need to focus on conserving beneficial insects while simultaneously managing pest insects. Many of those beneficials help promote synergies and make the best use of other ecosystem service providers.
Tag Archives insects
Producers urged to protect beneficial insects
When battling crop pests, a research scientist cautions farmers not to throw the baby out with the bathwater
Bayer launches VT4PRO at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2024
Bayer CropScience is bringing a new weapon to the fight against corn rootworm and other yield-robbing insects, VT4PRO.
Canola’s changing climes
Trends in the Prairies’ climate should generally be net good for canola crops, even as pest pressures here adjust accordingly
Canola cropping patterns in the Prairies may have to adapt to climate change in the coming years — but the changes should be relatively positive for production. Canola area continues to be the leader in Western Canada, with a total of 21.9 million acres sown this year according to Statistics Canada. This is over 3.2 […] Read more
Predators and parasitoids – your bug buddies in the field
How to spot and protect beneficial bugs in your crops
When scouting for insects in your fields next year, it’s not only crop-devouring pests you should keep an eye out for. That’s because insect predators like ground beetles as well as parasitic wasps and flies can take a big chunk out of pest populations. “It’s important to recognize there are a lot of natural enemies […] Read more
‘Perfect storm’ for grasshoppers
The conditions are right for pest-type grasshoppers in Saskatchewan. Consider both insecticides and cultural controls
A provincial insect management specialist says grasshoppers could pose a significant challenge for farmers in Saskatchewan this season. During a June 14 webinar offering advice on managing grasshopper populations, James Tansey of Saskatchewan Agriculture said, “we’ve got a bit of a perfect storm for grasshoppers this year.” According to Tansey, warm and dry conditions in […] Read more
Efficacies of insecticide seed treatments on flea beetles
The latest findings on flea beetle control products
The 2022 growing season was a “monstrous” year for canola farmers battling flea beetles in some parts of the Prairies. James Tansey, an entomologist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, shared that assessment with a crowd of producers, agronomists, agri-retailers and other industry representatives at Saskatchewan’s Agronomy Research Update 2022, held last December in Saskatoon. […] Read more
Grain grading guide to tighten definition of ‘severely’ sprouted wheat
More changes, clarifications on deck for Aug. 1
A laboratory review of the end-use quality of sprouted wheat will lead to changes in how wheat is graded starting Aug. 1 this year. The Canadian Grain Commission on Tuesday announced changes in store effective Aug. 1 for how Canadian wheat is graded, along with a list of clarifications and new housekeeping rules for the […] Read more
Insects posing problems in Saskatchewan crops
Grasshopper, flea beetle damage already reported
MarketsFarm – Although it’s still early in the growing season, some insect pests have already posed a threat to crops in Saskatchewan or could do so in the near future, according to James Tansey, provincial specialist for insects/invertebrate pest management. Among the pests he cited were grasshoppers, flea beetles and pea leaf weevils. Tansey said […] Read more
Best to be scouting for insect pests
'Definitely' watch canola for flea beetles
MarketsFarm — Although it is still relatively early in the crop year, Manitoba entomologist John Gavloski strongly advises farmers to carefully watch their fields for any signs of insect pests. Gavloski couldn’t say for sure if insect damage was going to be bad this year but based on what’s transpired over the last three years, […] Read more
Flea beetles: how to improve spray results
Five important tips when applying foliar insecticides
You’ve probably heard this before: the best defence against flea beetles is a canola crop that emerges uniformly, with five to eight plants per square foot, and grows quickly to the four-leaf stage. Weather conditions often conspire against these best laid plans, pushing canola growers to plan B: foliar insecticide. Farmers get particularly frustrated when […] Read more
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