Reading Time: 7 minutes The removal of fusarium head blight from Alberta’s Agricultural Pests Act has sparked protests from farmers in the as-yet-uninfected northern parts of the province. “My biggest concern is that we’re opening the gates to infect thus far uninfected areas of the province,” said Janice Reyda, who farms in the Peace Country near Brownvale. “Fusarium is […] Read more
Fusarium removal from pest act sparks protest
Farmers in north fear the regulatory change will open the doors to fusarium — and make cereal crops unprofitable
The FHB buck now stops with farmers in Alberta
The zero-tolerance approach didn’t stop the spread of fusarium in the province
Reading Time: 4 minutes The Alberta government has given up trying to battle fusarium head blight through regulation — but the move means farmers will need to up their game to control the hugely costly cereal disease. The province removed fusarium graminearum from the Pest Control Nuisance Regulation of the Agricultural Pests Act last month, bringing Alberta in line […] Read more
Fusarium rule change applauded
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cereal and seed organizations are hailing the province’s decision to remove fusarium graminearum from the Pest Nuisance Control Regulation of the Agricultural Pests Act. “This news has been a long time coming,” said Alberta Wheat chair Todd Hames. “FHB (fusarium head blight) is well established in Alberta and since it’s spread through airborne spores, we […] Read more
A mix of pests and diseases on the roster for #crop2020
Wheat midge, wheat stem sawfly, net blotch and other things to look out for
Reading Time: 4 minutes There are several diseases and pests farmers might want to keep an eye out for this growing season. “It’s kind of a hodgepodge this year,” said Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension specialist with Alberta Barley and Alberta Wheat. The southern part of the province has had consistent issues with grasshoppers because it has been so […] Read more
Alberta deregulates fusarium
Crop disease comes off province's 'zero tolerance' list
Alberta is moving to keep fusarium in check by means other than the “zero tolerance” policy it has in effect on agricultural pests such as rats, rabies and clubroot. Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen announced a ministerial order Wednesday to remove Fusarium graminearum from the list of pests covered by the Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation, […] Read more
Fusarium head blight study needs farmers
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s pathology program at Brooks is again looking for growers of winter wheat, two-row barley and durum to participate in a fusarium head blight project for the 2020 growing season. The project, which aims to develop a disease prediction model, is a collaboration between the University of Manitoba and the agriculture ministries […] Read more
Mycotoxin risk likely to be high in some Alberta feed grains
Last year’s growing conditions created a perfect breeding ground for some dangerous mycotoxins, including DON
Reading Time: 3 minutes Variable weather conditions across the Prairies could cause problems with mycotoxins in feed this winter. “The No. 1 most influencing factor in mycotoxins is weather,” said Max Hawkins of Alltech’s mycotoxin management team. “Weather determines which moulds we’re going to have, the amount of those moulds, and those moulds determine the variety of mycotoxin.” Mycotoxins […] Read more
The rains came and crop disease pathogens couldn’t be happier
Scouting regularly and intensely gives you the best chance of hitting the ideal fungicide window
Reading Time: 4 minutes Early season diseases generally passed crop growers by during the dry spring, but rainfall across much of the province means they need to keep a close watch now. “The dry conditions earlier this spring tended to slow things down, but we’ve had moisture occurring, and that has elevated the risk for diseases,” federal research scientist […] Read more
DON a growing economic threat
Reading Time: < 1 minute Grain buyers are increasingly on the lookout for deoxynivalenol (DON), and producers need to take steps to “keep Canada’s markets open for all,” says Cereals Canada. “Domestic processors and export customers are increasingly testing shipments for mycotoxins,” said spokesperson Brenna Mahoney. “Shipments that exceed acceptable levels of DON could be rejected, which is a tremendous […] Read more
Grain grading revamp may add falling number, DON as factors
Two significant grain specs that aren’t yet factors for a crop’s official grade are now under consideration to join that official list. The Canadian Grain Commission on Monday put out a call for “grain sector stakeholders” to submit their views before May 10 on a proposal for falling number and deoxynivalenol (DON) to both become […] Read more
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