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Cleaning up spilled grain around a bin eliminates potential breeding sites for pests such as the flat grain beetle.
Crops, News

Expert offers tips for successful crop storage

Keeping out pests and getting rid of excess moisture are key, says provincial crop specialist

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A little preparation prior to harvesting can ensure worry-free winter crop storage. “Warm or wet conditions at harvest and multi-staged crops are potential ingredients for storage problems,” said provincial crop specialist Harry Brook. “Don’t get an unpleasant surprise when selling the grain with discounts or by being rejected for heated grain or insect problems.” Clean […] Read more
Crops

Nine pests to watch for if you’re growing flax

Dr. James Tansey, Saskatchewan Agriculture’s insect specialist, reminded farmers at a Saskatchewan Agriculture conference in Weyburn, Sask., that “plants are not a passive part of the environment.” Flax produces poison in the form of cyanogenic glycoside (cyanide) that is toxic to several insects. However, your flax crop may still need some help protecting itself from[...]
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Bertha armyworm.
News

Keep watch for army worms in fields

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The province’s extensive network of bertha army worm traps isn’t sounding any alarm bells yet, but producers should keep watch, says insect management specialist Scott Meers. Results from the traps are posted on the Alberta Agriculture website. If the cumulative count reaches 300 moths, Meers strongly recommends scouting starting in late July and progress through[...]
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The province’s veterinary medical association is urging Albertans to check their pets for ticks. Humans and dogs are more susceptible to Lyme disease, but ticks on cats, dogs, or yourself should be submitted for testing.
News

Summertime is danger time for ticks

Check for ticks on yourself and your pets, say provincial officials

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Authorities are warning Albertans to take the time and check for ticks — on themselves and their pets. The threat isn’t tick bites, but the chance a tick could transmit Lyme disease, said the registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA). “There have been approximately 100 human cases of Lyme disease reported by Albertans[...]
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Distinct markings give adult gall flies a rather striking appearance, while their larvae are anything but attractive. But they can do serious damage to a Canada thistle.
Crops, News

Tiny warriors get nasty on Canada thistle

Stem gall flies love to feed on — and breed in — the much-loathed and fast-spreading invasive weed

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The West Central Forage Association has another biocontrol that can help you win the war against Canada thistle. The proud warriors are called stem gall flies and they’re available for sale. “The gall flies act on a different portion of the Canada thistle than the weevils do,” said Rachael Nay, conservation agriculture and extension program[...]
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Crops

Five insect pests for Manitoba farmers to watch

Cutworms, grasshoppers, flea beetles and bertha armyworm are all on top of the watch list for 2019, as numbers were higher in 2018. All four overwinter well in Manitoba provided there’s enough insulation for them.
Provincial pest specialist Scott Meers scouting for wheat midge. That pest isn’t expected to be a major
problem this year — bertha army worm, grasshoppers, and wheat stem sawfly are Meers’ top threats.
Crops

There’s a time of year when it pays to go looking for a fight

To combat the hordes of bad guys looking for a free meal, you need to plan your attack

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Looking for trouble? You should be when it comes to insects that might be a threat to your crops. The “big three” this year are bertha army worm, grasshoppers, and wheat stem sawfly, says provincial pest specialist Scott Meers. But it depends where you farm, so Meers recommends you bookmark the website of the Alberta[...]
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The three types of flea beetles: crucifer, hop and striped. Crucifers have been dominant so far but more stripes have been seen in recent years.
Canola, Crops

Flea beetles: more species, more territory

Control options include seed treatment, seeding early and a higher seeding rate

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They have been a voracious pest in canola for many years, but their pattern of infestation is changing. “Flea beetles can be a huge economic problem; pervasive and unpredictable,” Jennifer Otani, a pest management biologist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge said during a session at FarmTech. Adult flea beetles can move in and out[...]
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Livestock, Reuters

Farming insects may solve one problem, create others

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Rome | Thomson Reuters Foundation — Insects have great potential as an alternative source of protein, but further research is urgently needed before mass production begins in order to avoid environmental disaster, Swedish researchers warned Monday. There is currently an “overwhelming lack of knowledge” on basic questions such as suitable species, their housing and feed[...]
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