Saskatchewan Agriculture

Saskatchewan’s apiculturist says there is room for more honey producers because of declining production in the United States. “With the increasing awareness of the health benefits of honey and its byproducts, along with the declining honey production and increasing population in the United States, we are hopeful that honey production will remain profitable,” said John […] Read more

The same southerly winds that blew diamondback moths up into Canada this spring might have brought aphids attracted to canaryseed. Ray McVicar, special crops agrologist, advises farmers to look for the bird cherry-oat aphid and the English grain aphid. The bird cherry-oat aphid is dark green to purple, and the English grain aphid is light […] Read more

Early seeding has reduced the threat of powdery mildew in peas, but farmers should still monitor their fields. Ray McVicar, a Saskatchewan Agriculture special crops specialist, said Kumulus DF is a registered fungicide for powdery mildew in peas. However, it is a protectant and does not cure leaves already diseased. “So producers should identify the […] Read more

Now is the time to collect leafy spurge beetles to transfer to new locations. The spurge beetle is a natural predator of leafy spurge, a noxious weed that can dominate pasture grasses and, if grazed by cattle, cause scours and mouth blistering. The adult beetles emerge in late June or early July, feed on the […] Read more

Below-average hay and pasture growth in many areas of Western Canada has livestock producers thinking of buying hay to augment their pasture or to provide feed for next winter. Evaluating the feed requirements of the stock to be fed, and price checking the quality needed, will make feed purchases more efficient, says Michel Tremblay, forage […] Read more

Scentless chamomile is pretty as a daisy, but the fast spreading weed can reduce crop yields by up to 80 percent. That’s why the co-ordinator of Saskatchewan’s Noxious Weed Program, Garry Bowes, is pleased about the success of a home-grown program to multiply the scentless chamomile seed weevil, the weed’s arch enemy. About 2,000 weevils […] Read more

Lentil and chickpea growers should be monitoring their fields for ascochyta blight before the crops flower. During the past few years, ascochyta blight has been the most damaging disease of these crops, especially chickpeas. High humidity and frequent rainfall help the disease become established, but the susceptibility of the host and the aggressiveness of the […] Read more

Organic farmers should consider controlling weeds by clipping them above the canopy of short crops such as lentils and flax. Preliminary results of a three-year project indicate that weed clipping has potential as an integrated weed management practice for organic producers. “Managing weeds is a challenge for organic growers,” said Eric Johnson, a soils and […] Read more

Researchers may have found an effective biological pesticide to control varroa and tracheal mites in bees. “Beekeepers have become increasingly dependent on the use of pesticides and antibiotics to combat bee pests,” said Mark Winston, a biological sciences professor at British Columbia’s Simon Fraser University. The pesticides and antibiotics add to production costs, present toxic […] Read more

A few cattle are found dead in pastures every year, their demise due to eating poisonous plants. Good management could have prevented many of these deaths. “This year, there is particular need for producers to be aware of any poisonous plants in their pastures,” says Todd Jorgenson, a rangeland agrologist with Saskatchewan Agriculture. He said […] Read more