bee in a sunflower

Viable substitutes for neonicotinoids

Some groups are calling for bans on neonic pesticides. Get the scoop on alternatives for your farm

In September Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne mandated Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture Jeff Leal to start working to reduce the use of neonicotinoid (also known as neonic) pesticides in the province after 2016. The reduction may include bans or severe restrictions on approved uses. Several countries across the European Union have suspended use of several common […] Read more

germinated wheat seeds

High fusarium levels in southeast Sask.

If your elevator agents tells you you’re seed has low fusarium level, take it to the lab anyway

Bonnie Ernst, owner and operator of Prairie Diagnostic Seed Lab at Weyburn, Sask., says she’s been seeing much higher levels of fusarium than usual this year. In wheat, “this year the total is averaging around 14 per cent. The per cent graminearum in that is averaging around 10 per cent.” This preliminary southeast Saskatchewan snapshot […] Read more