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Cabbage seedpod weevils are attracted to the buds on early canola plants. They feed on the buds, migrating as the crop comes into bloom.
Canola, Crops

When to spray cabbage seedpod weevil

If you have to spray for the cabbage seedpod 
weevil, get the timing right

By
The first time Alberta grain farmer Jay Schultz remembers hearing about cabbage seedpod weevil was in 2005 at the University of Alberta when Dr. Lloyd Dosdall warned that it could become a major pest in the province. Schultz, who farms 6,000 acres near Standard, Alta., said that he never really paid attention, that is, until […] Read more
Wireworm: hard to control and on the rise
Cereals, Crops, Features

Wireworm: hard to control and on the rise

Without Lindane, there’s very little that cereal growers can do to control this pest

By
Wireworms ruin many cereal crops, and they’ve been on the rise since the federal government banned lindane for use as a pesticide in 2004. Lindane killed the bugs outright says Dr. Bob Vernon, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and since its banning “there is really nothing that will kill them.” “Wireworms […] Read more
Flea beetle damage on a canola seedling.
Canola, Crops

Keep your canola standing strong against flea beetles

Agronomy tips... from the field

By
When coming up with a flea beetle defence strategy, it’s important to remember that flea beetles overwinter in your field as adults. That means they’re right there, just waiting to feed as soon as your canola crop emerges in the spring. Canola seedlings can compensate for flea beetle feeding and recover — just so long […] Read more
A bertha armyworm gets its fill on a canola seed pod.
Crops, Wheat & Chaff

Controlling bugs with seed treatments

By
Technology has given western Canadian farmers access to a wide range of options when it comes to insect control in canola. Crucifer and striped flea beetles, wireworm, cutworm, root maggot, cabbage seedpod weevil, bertha armyworm and diamondback moth are just some insect pests that can be particularly problematic for both crop health and farmers’ bottom […] Read more
Canola field in bloom near Mervin, Sask on July 7, 2016. Crops are looking very good in northwest Sask.
Crops, Weather

Crops looking good, but fusarium risk is high

Weather conditions see many Saskatchewan farmers spraying fungicides

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As crops in north-western Saskatchewan edge closer to maturity, Ian Weber is knocking on wood. “I’m at the point I don’t want to see bugs and hail would be really bad. Because I think we’ve got a monster coming in. Things look good,” said Weber, sales manager with Warrington AgroDynamic of Mervin. The Mervin-Turtleford area […] Read more
Crop emergence has generally been good in the northwest, local ag retailers report.
Crops, Weather

Guenther: Sask. farmers near end of seeding, optimism abounds

Saskatchewan Crop Report rates crops as good to excellent overall

By
As Saskatchewan farmers wrap up the last bit of seeding, there’s abundant optimism for this year’s crop. “Our moisture conditions are good right now,” said Dave Shepherd, location manager for AgriTeam in Glaslyn, in north-western Saskatchewan. The crops, he added, are “looking really good.” West of Glaslyn, things are progressing nicely, said Ian Weber, sales […] Read more
Grasshopper numbers are climbing in Alberta. They can thrive in dry weather.
Crops, Features

Be on your guard for grasshoppers

Grasshopper numbers are up in Alberta. Warm dry weather will give them an edge

By
Grasshoppers were found in higher numbers in 2015 in Alberta. Unfortunately, the same is expected for 2016, says Scott Meers, Alberta Agriculture insect management specialist. The Peace region, the extreme north and northwest areas of Alberta, are expected to have high grasshopper numbers. Farmers west of Edmonton also saw high populations last year and the […] Read more
Emerging cereal crop in a field between Mervin and Glaslyn.
Crops, Weather

Sask. farmers nearing the finish line for seeding

Emerging crops see threat of flea beetles, cutworms

By
Farmers across Saskatchewan are wrapping up seeding earlier than normal. As of May 23, 81 per cent of acres were seeded, compared to the five-year average of 59 per cent, according to the latest Saskatchewan Crop Report. Farmers in the northwest had 84 per cent of the acres seeded. In the Turtleford and Glaslyn areas, […] Read more
The diamondback moth is one of the more common insect pests that can reduce yield in mustard crops.
Columns, Crops

Weeds, disease and insects in mustard

In the final part of a 4-part series on mustard agronomy, Ross McKenzie turns his attention to pests

By
Weed control is generally my greatest concern when growing mustard. Weed competition can greatly reduce mustard yields by competing for available light, nutrients and moisture. Although mustard seedlings are not very competitive with weeds, there are ways that growers can reduce the early effects of weeds: burndown of weeds in fall and/or early spring before […] Read more
flea beetles on a canola pod
Canola, Wheat & Chaff

Keys to flea beetle control in canola crops

Agronomy tips... from the field

By
The important thing to understand about flea beetles is that they overwinter as adults — and it’s those adults that do all the feeding on your seedlings come the spring. Your canola crop is most vulnerable to flea beetle feeding from the cotyledon stage at emergence up until it reaches the three- or four-leaf stage. […] Read more

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