SASKATOON (Staff) – Wheat growers should know this week whether they have a serious wheat midge problem.
“Producers are really going to have to be on the ball and do some monitoring of their fields,” said Agriculture Canada research scientist Owen Olfert.
The midge outbreak is delayed by about two weeks, but unfortunately so is the wheat crop which was seeded late, said Saskatoon agrologist Larry Gramiak.
And because most of the wheat crop around Saskatoon, one of the bug’s hot spots, was seeded in a week-long rush, producers will be hard pressed to find sprayers and get their fields controlled in time to prevent serious midge damage.
Midge outbreaks have already begun in southern Manitoba, but the peak should have been reached, said Lyn Manaigre of Manitoba Agriculture. Hot spots are expected in the Souris-Elgin area and at Elie.
In Saskatchewan, areas affected last year will probably have larger problems this year.
Midge infestation can be measured after wheat starts heading. Midge cause the most damage in the heading to flowering stages.
