Reading Time: 4 minutes In just a few years, crop spraying could become largely a thing of the past. Nanotechnology may take its place using its ability to target specific crop pests. Farmers hear a lot of such whizzy claims. But a Lethbridge researcher is so confident in nanotech-based crop protection that he’s working to ensure it doesn’t follow […] Read more
A (very) small solution to big ag problems
Nanotech may be the future of precision crop protection, says Lethbridge scientist
Insects posing problems in Saskatchewan crops
Grasshopper, flea beetle damage already reported
MarketsFarm – Although it’s still early in the growing season, some insect pests have already posed a threat to crops in Saskatchewan or could do so in the near future, according to James Tansey, provincial specialist for insects/invertebrate pest management. Among the pests he cited were grasshoppers, flea beetles and pea leaf weevils. Tansey said […] Read more
Best to be scouting for insect pests
'Definitely' watch canola for flea beetles
MarketsFarm — Although it is still relatively early in the crop year, Manitoba entomologist John Gavloski strongly advises farmers to carefully watch their fields for any signs of insect pests. Gavloski couldn’t say for sure if insect damage was going to be bad this year but based on what’s transpired over the last three years, […] Read more
Find out what will be bugging you in 2023
Reading Time: < 1 minute They’re not causing headaches yet, but it won’t be long before crop pests will be a concern. Producers are urged to sign up for the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network’s free weekly e-newsletter at prairiepest.ca. A large number of collaborators and volunteers collect thousands of samples across the Prairies during the growing season to bring farmers […] Read more
Matador, Voliam insecticides back in ‘limited’ release
Revised labels prohibit feeding, foraging of treated crops
Syngenta Canada no longer plans to keep its lambda-cyhalothrin insecticide products off the market in Western Canada this year — but it’s planning to have a smaller supply. The crop chem and seed company announced Friday it will have a “limited amount” of its lambda-cy-based products Matador 120EC and Voliam Xpress available in the West […] Read more
French agency drops fumigant ban on non-EU grain exports
Limit on phosphine won't apply if use required for export
Paris | Reuters — French health safety agency ANSES on Thursday cleared the use of phosphine pesticide in contact with grains exported outside the European Union when importing countries require the process, averting a halt to shipments from the EU’s top grain exporter. In late October ANSES cleared the use of phosphine tablets used for […] Read more
France says pesticide ban will not hit grain exports
Fumigant can't be in 'direct contact' with grains
Paris | Reuters — France will ensure that a decision by health and safety agency ANSES to ban the use of a pesticide in direct contact with grains does not hamper its exports outside the European Union, its trade and agriculture ministers told Parliament on Tuesday. In late October ANSES cleared the use of phosphine […] Read more
Agronomy update recap available
Reading Time: < 1 minute If you missed this year’s Agronomy Update (or can’t read your notes), PowerPoint slides from the January event are now available at agronomyupdate.ca. Slides from two dozen presentations can be downloaded for free. Among the topics are nitrification and urease inhibitors, micronutrients, fusarium graminearum, bacterial leaf streak, aphanomyces, verticillium wilt, herbicide mixing, flea beetles, managing […] Read more
Tips on battling wheat stem sawfly
Reading Time: < 1 minute A new video from Alberta Wheat offers advice on managing wheat stem sawfly from Scott Meers, the long-time provincial insect management specialist and now a consultant. It covers topics such as when to plant a solid- and semi-solid-stem variety (and lists current offerings for spring wheat and durum), recommended seeding rates (for both solid- and […] Read more
Survey on keeping wheat midge at bay
Reading Time: < 1 minute Wheat growers are being asked to fill out an online survey on their use of midge-tolerant wheat. The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (an alliance of the three Prairie wheat commissions) operates the Midge Tolerant Wheat Stewardship Program. It’s estimated that midge-tolerant wheat has saved farmers more than $3 billion in yield losses and grade dockage […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
