Bayer CropScience is bringing a new weapon to the fight against corn rootworm and other yield-robbing insects, VT4PRO.
Bayer launches VT4PRO at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2024
Canola Council urges flea beetle vigilance
The annual fight with flea beetles pressure is about to begin for Prairie producers
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Canola Council of Canada agronomist and insect management lead Keith Gabert is warning producers about flea beetles. “The biggest challenge with flea beetles is we just don’t know,” he said. “We really can’t predict this particular insect pest, which is really humbling because it’s our No. 1 insect pest.” To help producers […] Read more
Cutworms already causing problems in some parts of province
The best way to control cutworms is to scout
Reading Time: < 1 minute Even though the weather is cold, cutworms have already been active in the province, said Shelley Barkley, a field scout with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. There have been reports of cutworms in winter wheat in the southeast corner of Alberta, as well as in a field of 2023 seeded forage in the Calgary area. Cutworms […] Read more
Assessing strength, building on foundation key to soil health
Crop advisor says soil health options will vary by farm and by economics
Reading Time: 4 minutes Lee Briese’s soil health principles build upon five pillars: soil armour, minimizing disturbance, diversity, continuous living roots, and livestock integration. “I don’t find these to be laws, commandments or requirements for soil health management,” the North Dakota crop advisor said. “These are nice guidelines to help guide some of the practices,” Briese said. “I’ve learned […] Read more
The under-recognized aphid eaters
The larvae of lady beetles are less commonly identified, but take just as big a bite out of crop pest populations
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – The insect experts say that every farmer across the Prairies should have a huge picture of coccinellidae larvae on their machine shop wall. If the scientific name doesn’t sound familiar, the common name certainly will. It’s the family of beetles that includes ladybugs and Asian lady beetles. “Everybody recognizes the adults and […] Read more
Watch for post-harvest grain pests
Reading Time: < 1 minute As farmers prepare to put their next crop into storage, the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has some tips to help identify insects (and know if they’re pests) if they appear in stored grain. The commission identifies 20 species of insects as primary pests (19 beetle species and one species of moth). Over 33 species are […] Read more
Drought and infestation woes grow throughout province
Special Areas is latest jurisdiction to declare agricultural state of emergency
Reading Time: 6 minutes Grasshoppers have been chewing their way through hay and other crops all over southern and central Alberta. But in some areas, even grasshoppers have nothing to eat in dry pastures and hay fields. That’s the case with southeast Alberta rancher Brad Osadczuk. And he’s not alone. “I think grasshoppers are looking for green vegetation and […] Read more
Stay up-to-date on insect pests
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network provides insect management resources to help monitor crop pests in Alberta. It coordinates, manages and carries out seven insect surveys province-wide in Alberta’s field crops to assess presence, abundance and impact to the agriculture industry. The most recent map is the bertha army worm survey results. That and other […] Read more
To best weather drought, focus on what you can control
It comes down to making sure there’s room for recovery while balancing risk and cost
Reading Time: 3 minutes There’s not much that producers can do in the event of drought. They’re hostage to nature and hope for enough rainfall to save their crops. While recent rains in parts of Alberta were helpful, crops will need more moisture this season and there’s no guarantee it will come. But while watching the skies, farmers can […] Read more
Grain grading guide to tighten definition of ‘severely’ sprouted wheat
More changes, clarifications on deck for Aug. 1
A laboratory review of the end-use quality of sprouted wheat will lead to changes in how wheat is graded starting Aug. 1 this year. The Canadian Grain Commission on Tuesday announced changes in store effective Aug. 1 for how Canadian wheat is graded, along with a list of clarifications and new housekeeping rules for the […] Read more
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