Reading Time: 2 minutes Research scientist talks about the prevalence of aster yellows in canola in Alberta, with testing on its pest carriers and conditions in which it affects yields.
Aster leafhoppers: An unwanted guest migrating from U.S. for canola
New test confirms aster yellows in leafhoppers in canola within minutes
Trap crops to cut faba bean spraying?
Trap cropping may concentrate pest insects away from the main crop so they can be better managed, with less ecological spillover
Reading Time: 3 minutes Trap cropping may draw pests away from the main crop and concentrate them for blitz control with less insecticide and friendlier farming for beneficial bugs.
Cereal cover crops show mixed flea beetle protection
Fall rye and oat nurse crops show promise for reducing damage, however, current research notes it's not yet a reliable field-scale tool
Reading Time: 4 minutes University of Manitoba researchers are testing if planting fall rye and oat nurse crops help growers reduce damage without hurting yield.
Growers urged to monitor for pea leaf weevil despite low 2025 activity
Damage can be hard to assess, but it helps to pay attention to the insect’s life cycle
Reading Time: 5 minutes The pea leaf weevil has moved north in Alberta, but the outlook for damage from the insect is 2026 is promising.
Wheat stem sawfly decreased across the province
Outlook for 2026 looking positive for Alberta wheat growers with sawfly numbers declining
Reading Time: 4 minutes Wheat stem fly damage in Alberta was down in 2025, and the outlook for 2026 looks similar.
Mosquito-borne virus could be devastating to sheep breeding operations
Cache Valley virus continues to spread on the Prairies, but no vaccine is on the horizon
Reading Time: 3 minutes Cache Valley virus, a mosquito-borne disease that infects small ruminants, could be a devastating hit to small operations.
Scientist working with nanotechnology to control pests in crops
Nanotechnology allows research to targest pests at DNA level
Reading Time: 4 minutes Researchers from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada are working with nanotechnology to targest pest insects in crops.
Improving calf health, fighting pesticide resistance highlighted at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show
New strides in agricultural innovation including improving calf health, fighting pesticide resistance were the featured topic at the University of Guelph Feeding The Future discussion at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2025.
Locusts spread in Ukraine’s south as war disrupts control measures
A massive locust invasion is threatening sunflower and other crops in Ukraine's southern regions, largely caused by the war against Russia's invasion that makes it impossible to use traditional pest control methods, officials and producers say.
Alberta offers insect insights for farmers
Populations were mostly small for key pests but there were plenty of hot spots
Reading Time: 4 minutes A review of what Alberta’s insect survey maps reveal about pest pressure both last year and for the coming growing season.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
