Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s Soil Information Viewer can help with an understanding of soils in the province. “The viewer accesses soil information stored in database tables called the Agricultural Regions of Alberta Soil Inventory Database,” said David Speiss, geographical information systems engineer. The online tool looks at the ability of Alberta soils to grow grains […] Read more
Database for gauging soils available
Medhat Nasr receives honours
Reading Time: < 1 minute Provincial apiculturist Medhat Nasr was recently given the Roger A. Morse Outstanding Teaching/Extension Service/Regulatory Award. The award committee cited Medhat’s two decades of research, teaching and extension work with the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, Rutgers University, and, for the past 13 years, in Alberta. “I would personally like to thank you for sharing your work with […] Read more
Late blight risk on potatoes and tomatoes again this year
The disease can be carried over in infected material
Reading Time: < 1 minute Over the last few growing seasons, growers have seen signs of late blight, a serious disease that mainly affects potatoes and tomatoes. This disease is caused by an aggressive fungus that develops rapidly under wet/moist environmental conditions. Wet conditions, combined with the presence of the pathogen, has resulted in continuing outbreaks of late blight in […] Read more
Wheat head armyworms emerge in Alberta
Reading Time: < 1 minute In his final regular weekly Call of the Land interview, Alberta Agriculture pest management specialist Scott Meers says there have been some reports of wheat head armyworms, with one “pretty major hotspot” in Wheatland County and into Kneehill County, with some reports from the Peace. Meers says the insect is difficult to spot as it […] Read more
Time to start counting bugs for next year
Reading Time: < 1 minute In his weekly Call of the Land interview Alberta Agriculture pest management specialist says Scott Meers now is the time to start watching the swather and cutter bar for insects to get an idea of whether they will be a problem next year. While conditions will still determine numbers and this year’s lygus populations don’t influence […] Read more
Alberta crop report as of July 29
Crops rated below last year but ahead of the 10-year average
Reading Time: < 1 minute This is a summary of the AFSC biweekly crop report as of July. Click here for the full report and tables. Much-needed precipitation fell in all regions with the exception of Southern Alberta. With most crops now entering the kernel-filling stage, this moisture will be very beneficial for both yield and maturity. Crop condition ratings […] Read more
Weekly Alberta insect report — a few bertha hot spots
Reading Time: < 1 minute In his weekly Call of the Land broadcast, Alberta Agriculture insect management specialist Scott Meers says bertha armyworm levels are fairly low across the province with the exception of some hot spots, with the highest numbers in a trap east of Lacombe and another west of Stettler. Meers says there have been reports of skippers, mostly […] Read more
Stripe rust update: July 9, 2014
Reading Time: 2 minutes Stripe rust continues to spread through commercial winter wheat fields. It has now been reported in southern Alberta by Dr. Denis Gaudet (AAFC-Lethbridge), in Lacombe/Red Deer/Olds by Dr. Kequan Xi (AARD-Lacombe), in Whitecourt/Edson (anonymous) and all the way up in Beaverlodge by Dr. Kelly Turkington (AAFC-Lacombe). Stripe rust at the levels observed, and at the […] Read more
Management critical to preventing ergot outbreak
Crop rotation, mowing field edges, and good agronomic practices can reduce impact of ergot infestation
Reading Time: 2 minutes When it comes to controlling ergot, the best control is prevention. Ergot fungi, which produce mycotoxins that are extremely toxic to humans and livestock, affects all cereal crops except oats. “Although not significantly impacting yield, the low tolerance level for affected grain can cause grain rejection or downgrading at the elevator,” said provincial crop specialist […] Read more
Stripe rust survey update for southern Alberta
This week, Dr. Denis Gaudet and his crew at AAFC-Lethbridge surveyed 23 spring wheat fields from Cardston to Vulcan for stripe rust. Stripe rust was seen in 50 per cent of the fields with the average incidence ranging from trace to 5 per cent. In three fields, incidences ranged from 15-90 per cent but severities […] Read more
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