Weather models point to widespread frost Friday in parts of the Prairies.

Killing frost Friday would damage W. Man. crop

After the weekend, warmer, drier weather is forecast until the end of September

A killing frost Friday morning will damage a lot of crops in western Manitoba, including cereals and canola, says Lionel Kaskiw — and that’s what the forecast is calling for. “We needed at least until the third week of September or the end of September (without frost) and we’re getting (frost possibly) the second week […] Read more

Lady beetle larva (shown) and adults feed on soybean aphids. These and other natural pests can keep soybean aphid population in check.

Soybean aphids found near Morden, but don’t panic

They've finally arrived, but the pest isn't likely to cause economic damage this season

The first soybean aphids of the season have been found near Morden but there are so few and it’s so late they are unlikely to be an economic pest this season, says Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development’s entomologist John Gavloski. “It’s happening very late so there could be some later-seeded fields that are still […] Read more



Sunflowers in a field.

Watch for sunflower diseases

Farmers interested in planting sunflowers in 2014 should 
be ready to protect them 
from sclerotinia head rot 
and sunflower rust

Sunflowers are generating a great deal of interest for 2014 planting. “Interest in sunflowers is very high this winter,” says Anastasia Kubinec, oilseeds business development specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. “It’s price driven and contracts are being scooped up very quickly.” About 90 per cent of Canada’s sunflower acres are in Manitoba, […] Read more


Sclerotia, the overwintering bodies of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum germinate and produce mushroom-like structures called apothecia.

Sclerotinia in Manitoba

Sclerotinia doesn’t just hit canola. Find out how to avoid this problem on your farm


Sclerotinia is a fungal stem rot disease caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. It occurs throughout the Prairies, but its severity from year to year is variable as its development depends on the right environmental conditions occurring at its germination and infection phases. Not just canola Sclerotinia gets most of its attention as a disease in canola, […] Read more