Reading Time: 2 minutes Fusarium head blight outbreaks can cause significant losses in grain yield and grain quality, while also resulting in the production of mycotoxin-Deoxynyvalenol that affects livestock feed, the baking and milling quality of wheat and the malting and brewing qualities of malt barley. That’s why producers need to be vigilant, even if its rate of infection […] Read more
Don’t let down your guard when it comes to fusarium
Provincial crop specialist says seed testing and using seed treatment are critical
No ‘silver bullets’ for fusarium — but you can reduce your risk
Longer crop rotations, resistant varieties, and — as a last resort — fungicides are the partial weapons in a weak arsenal
Reading Time: 4 minutes When it comes to fusarium head blight, cereal growers tend to suffer from NIMBY syndrome — ‘not in my backyard.’ “Over the years, we’ve heard many comments that ‘it’s a Manitoba problem — it’ll never be a problem here in Alberta,’” federal research scientist Kelly Turkington said at the recent Agronomy Update conference. “But in […] Read more
New gene-based fungicide could combat fusarium
Their method? Target the gene that allows the pathogen to reproduce and ‘knock it down’
Reading Time: 3 minutes A team of University of Lethbridge students has developed a potentially game-changing product that could wipe out a widespread problem for cereal growers — fusarium graminearum. “It’s a really pertinent local issue, but it’s also a global issue, so it expands the potential impact (of our project,)” said Graeme Glaister, a fourth-year neuroscience student at […] Read more
Lots of knowledge on tap at Agronomy Update 2016
Conference in Red Deer runs Jan. 19-20
Reading Time: < 1 minute New clubroot strains and ways to reduce fusarium damage are two of the topics featured at Agronomy Update 2016 in Red Deer on Jan. 19-20. The annual conference will also feature presentations on phosphorus and potassium decline; new wheat classes; marketing peas and fababeans; plant growth regulators; adding diversity to crop rotations; updates on wireworms […] Read more
Alberta Wheat Commission funds research
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Wheat Commission is investing $970,000 over five years in 13 wheat-related research projects. Projects include: effectiveness and appropriate timing of plant growth regulators; fusarium head blight resistance in spring wheat; development of soft white spring and general purpose spring wheat with higher yield potential; influence of genotype, weather, growing environment, and crop management […] Read more
Pearce: Winter wheat’s challenges go beyond just the seeding
For the past five growing seasons, winter wheat has taken it on the chin in terms of its status as one of the Big Three crops in Eastern Canada. Compared to soybeans, which have seen a steady climb to the three million-acre mark in those five seasons, wheat has suffered from poor seeding conditions with […] Read more
Alta. feed prices hang steady despite swings in quality
CNS Canada –– As harvest winds to a close across the Prairies, some feedlot operators say they’ve noticed more feed barley and feed wheat out there than they initially thought. The quality of the feed varies greatly, with some second-cut wheat being accepted as high-quality with reasonable protein, while other loads arrive with sprouting, bleaching […] Read more
Fusarium graminearum survey underway
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Forestry is conducting a survey on Fusarium graminearum to help better manage the disease. “For example, if you’re trying to prevent the introduction of the organism in an area, there are certain things you can do, but if it’s already there, the prevention practices aren’t going to work,” said provincial plant pathologist Michael […] Read more
The bottom line on fusarium head blight is ugly
New study says a two per cent rate of damage will cost a producer $87 an acre
Reading Time: < 1 minute Grade loss — not yield reduction — is what hurts the pocketbook when it comes to fusarium. That’s the finding of a new report by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, which examined the financial impact of fusarium head blight. “While some economic losses occur due to yield reduction, grade loss is responsible for the greatest cost,” […] Read more
Garlic and onion disease survey underway
Samples across the province have revealed a number of diseases
Reading Time: < 1 minute Over the last several years, a number of issues has been observed in garlic crops in Alberta, with reduced yields, poor storability, and poor performance. Plant and soil samples collected from across the province in the last two years have found a number of diseases, including aster yellows, white rot (sclerotinia), fusarium basal plate rot, […] Read more
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