The most popular variety of hard red winter wheat planted in Manitoba is highly susceptible to fusarium head blight, according to Anita Brule-Babel, a winter wheat breeding expert at the University of Manitoba. Testing of the winter wheat lines at the U of M’s research centres in Winnipeg and Carman, Man., has shown that CDC […] Read more
Production
Falcon prone to fusarium: wheat expert
New Products
Bird deterrent Bird-B-Gone has a new product designed to keep nuisance birds off buildings. Bird Jolt FlatTrack is a low profile track system that emits a mild shock to birds when they land on its surface. The shock does not harm birds but will condition them to avoid the area. Bird Jolt FlatTrack can be […] Read more
Pea leaf weevils wander widely
Pea leaf weevil is on the march. Known in southern Alberta since 1997, the weevil has grown from a minor pest to a major pain for Alberta pea growers south of the Trans-Canada Highway. Worse, the insect is spreading rapidly. Adults in their most extreme concentrations can damage plant growing points through feeding, but this […] Read more
Weevil control with chemicals can be challenge
LETHBRIDGE – Farmers who plant peas in southern Alberta this season will likely require an additional insecticide treatment or two. In the future, producers prairie-wide also will be looking to add pea leaf weevil control to their list of spring practices. Scott Meers, a pest risk-management specialist for Alberta Agriculture, said the pea leaf weevil […] Read more
New Products
Pull-type sprayers Case IH has two new pull-type sprayers. The SRX100 and SRX160 models have a rugged chassis and boom, simple and well organized controls and application options to fit individual needs. The new models are available with either suspended or wheeled booms ranging from 80 to 134 feet and tank capacities of 1,000 or […] Read more
Hoppers expected in parts of Manitoba
Manitoba producers in several areas should expect to scout and in some cases treat for grasshoppers in 2008. In that province’s most recent grasshopper forecast, the insects are shown to be a potential economic threat in the black soil zone, stretching from the Red River Valley in the east to Russell in the west. The […] Read more
Gopher poisoning most effective in early spring
The best way to get ahead of burgeoning gopher populations in southwestern Saskatchewan is to hit them hard and early. Cameron Wilk, acting provincial manager of field services with Saskatchewan Agriculture, said producers need to begin control measures when the snow starts to melt and the hungry hoards emerge to search for food. Baited food […] Read more
Remembering Victor Chrapko, an organic pioneer – Organic Matters
Victor Chrapko was a strong voice for organic agriculture in Alberta and in the larger community. He died Feb 20 in a traffic collision while hauling hay. He will be missed, but his influence will go on. Victor, his wife, Liz, and their family have a long history of environmental involvement in the community. In […] Read more
Resistance found in chickpeas
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Repeated use of strobiluron fungicides to control ascochyta blight in chickpeas is leading to increasing resistance. Penny Pearse, a crop disease specialist with the Saskatchewan agriculture ministry, said a study of fungal isolates collected between 2004 and 2006 found 68 percent were not controlled by Quadris and 50 percent were not […] Read more
Kochia widens reach
Group 2 resistant-kochia has widened its range from the red dirt in the U.S. Midwest to the outer reaches of the Prairies’ black soil zone. In the 1970s, prairie weed surveys showed kochia was a weed found mainly in south-central Saskatchewan. In the 1980s, the persistent tumbleweed spread to Alberta and then expanded its range […] Read more
