Reading Time: 3 minutes For greenhouse crop growers, moving away from chemical pest control to biological controls can be a big investment — but one that’s worth it, if done right. “You have to change your mindset from pesticides to biocontrol,” said Veronica Cervantes, technical adviser at Biobest USA. “The first year you start your biocontrol program is the […] Read more
Prevention is the best cure when managing greenhouse pests
Greenhouse crop growers need to start with clean cuttings, prevent infestations, and monitor pest levels to guarantee a successful biocontrol program
A bad year for crops has been a good one for weeds
Dry conditions have allowed weeds — including herbicide-resistant ones — to thrive in many fields
Reading Time: 3 minutes Although dry conditions made weed control a challenge during the 2015 growing season, late-summer moisture and an early harvest may give farmers a decent chance to control perennial weeds. “I’ve heard it said that 80 to 90 per cent of successful weed elimination comes from a competitive crop,” said Matt Gosling, an agronomist in the […] Read more
Neonics ban results in bug damage to crops
Rapeseed crops show damage four weeks after planting
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters – Rapeseed crops in Germany are suffering unusually high levels of insect damage this autumn following the European Union’s ban on neonics, says the German farming association DBV. Some farmers may suffer lower yields in the upcoming 2015 rapeseed harvest, it said. The EU has decided to restrict neonicotinoids which have been linked to […] Read more
Cutworms bug off when beneficial insects come calling
It’s a bug-eat-bug world when you’ve got beneficial insects in your field
Reading Time: 2 minutes Producers looking to cut spray costs this year may want to think about a different type of pest control. “(Predatory insects) can be really effective, with cutworms especially,” said Vincent Hervet, PhD candidate at the University of Lethbridge. Cutworms have “cyclic outbreaks” on the Prairies lasting three to four years, and right now Alberta is […] Read more
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