Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – A new initiative aims to boost surveillance of — and the response to — pests affecting Prairie agriculture. The Prairie Biovigilance Network comprises a group of experts in plant pathology, entomology, weed science, economics and agronomy led by AgCanada research scientist Brent McCallum. Researchers examine the pests that are causing the problem […] Read more
Group brings many viewpoints together in pest battle
Prairie Biovigilance Network promises proactive approach to managing weeds, insects and disease
Tiny pea leaf weevil spreads across vast prairie landscape
The adults leave tell-tale signs but it’s their offspring that wreak havoc below ground
Reading Time: 4 minutes Pea leaf weevils have completed their eastward trek across the Prairies, and while they’re generally not a huge issue, pea and faba growers need to learn the habits of these hard-to-spot pests. Adult pea leaf weevils are tiny and were first found in Canada near Lethbridge in 2000. By 2019, they had crossed the Manitoba […] Read more
Biological control for Canada thistle on deck
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Chinook Applied Research Association is bringing in Canada thistle stem mining weevils this fall. Each patch of Canada thistle needs a tray of weevils and there are 100 weevils in a tray. The insects overwinter in soil and leaf litter, emerge in spring to feed on thistles, and then lay eggs. After hatching, the […] Read more
Neonicotinoids, reducing bee mortality are priorities for new research chair
Bees produce billions in benefits for Prairie farmers but they face a host of challenges
Reading Time: 4 minutes Pollinators and beekeepers on the Prairies have a new champion — the first-ever research chair concentrating on the health of these essential workers in fields and pastures. “I’ll be focused on improving honeybee health to improve sustainable agriculture,” said Dr. Sarah Wood, an associate professor of veterinary pathology at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College […] Read more
AAFC seeks southern Alberta bins for insect testing
The goal is to help detect potentially new invasive pests to the area
Reading Time: 2 minutes Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is looking for six to 10 sites to monitor for insects in bins in southern Alberta this fall. It is an opportunity to further understand what is in the bins and how insects can be controlled. Participants who volunteer can ask for the results from their own bins and bin yard. […] Read more
Scout your fields to keep on top of this year’s pest insects
Drought followed by moisture has created unique pest situations in many parts of the province
Reading Time: 4 minutes If there’s one message to keep in mind this growing season, it’s to scout fields for pests. Last year’s drought, followed by this year’s wet conditions, made for some interesting insect problems on the Prairies. Cabbage seedpod weevils are active again, said Keith Gabert, an agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada who covers […] Read more
Ectoparasite help available for cattle
Reading Time: < 1 minute It’s getting to be peak season for ectoparasites and the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) has a number of resources that can help. Ectoparasite is just a $10 word for lice, flies, ticks and other external parasites. The research council’s web resource zeros in on lice (both the sucking and chewing varieties with four species […] Read more
Flea beetles an issue in parts of Saskatchewan
MarketsFarm — Delays to spring seeding in some regions of Saskatchewan, such as the northeast, have opened the door for infestations of flea beetles, according to provincial pest management specialist James Tansey. Canola crops that were planted later than normal are suffering from flea beetles, he said. Extremely late-seeded canola has been relatively free from […] Read more
Thistle control program on hold
Reading Time: < 1 minute The West-Central Forage Association won’t be bringing in Canada thistle stem-gall flies this year. The flies lay their eggs on the tips of thistle shoots in the early summer, with the larvae burrowing into the shoots and triggering gall formation, which stresses the plant by stealing nutrients. The association said it is discontinuing the program […] Read more
Eastern Prairies’ wet conditions may curb insect pest risk
Late-seeded crops may germinate more quickly in warmer soils
MarketsFarm — If there could be one benefit to the excessive moisture across much of southern Manitoba and the Interlake region, that would be a potentially reduced risk for insect pests, according to John Gavloski, entomologist for Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Resource Development. For example, Gavloski cited flea beetles, which could damage canola. “If [canola] […] Read more
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