Crop spray specialist says a surprising amount of crop protection chemical goes down the drain, pegging it at 14.3 percent
A five- to 10-percent spray waste can be a typical loss on some prairie farms. That is a lot of product missing the target, and it’s avoidable on most farms. Most spray jobs cost about $10 per acre, with some to $25. If we assume a $25 per acre cost, it’s $4,000 to spray that […] Read moreTag Archives pesticides
Pesticide dispute is going political
Canada Grains Council says important technical data were not properly considered in lambda-cyhalothrin decision
A lot went wrong during the process the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) used to ban lambda-cyhalothrin and it’s time to take the fight for the ability to use this active ingredient to a political arena, said Gord Kurbis, vice-president of trade policy and crop protection at the Canada Grains Council. Lambda-cyhalothrin is the active […] Read more
Manitoba reverses ban on cosmetic use of pesticides
In 2014, Manitoba introduced legislation to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides on lawns, parks and other public spaces. Eight years later, Manitoba has partially reversed that ban. On Nov. 4, the province announced it had passed legislation giving Manitobans more choice around the use of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. Individuals are now permitted to […] Read more
Bat poop research gets to the bottom of pesticide residue
Alberta researchers look for information about how insecticides may be affecting bats by poking into what remains from their diets
The Alberta Community Bat Program is looking for bat homes near crops to test the bat poop for insects and lingering pesticide found in the guano. “The insecticide project ties in well with our bat-friendly farms initiative, which aims to promote bat stewardship on farms and improve practices for how bats are managed in these […] Read more
Ottawa’s review of pesticide act worries farmers, industry
Groups are concerned the government plans to look outside the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for scientific advice
The federal government has started a process that could change how pesticides are registered and regulated in Canada. The process is still in the early stages, but some commodity groups and industry associations are concerned about the potential consequences to farmers and the agriculture sector. They fear that Health Canada could shift toward a European […] Read more
Man. to ease cosmetic pesticide use
Cosmetic pesticides could soon become legal again in Manitoba for some uses. On March 14 the province introduced amendments to the Environment Act that would allow homeowners to apply Health Canada-approved pesticides in their yards. Municipalities would be permitted to spray pesticides on areas like boulevards, sidewalks, rights-of-way and fairgrounds. Jeff Wharton, Manitoba’s environment minister, […] Read more
Manitoba to amend pesticide ban, may allow some use
Cosmetic pesticides could soon become legal again in Manitoba for some uses. On March 14 the province introduced amendments to the Environment Act, which would allow homeowners to apply Health Canada approved pesticides in their yards. Municipalities would be permitted to spray pesticides on areas like boulevards, sidewalks, rights-of-way and fairgrounds. Jeff Wharton, Manitoba’s environment […] Read more
Pesticide supplies expected to be plentiful
Shortages were a concern earlier in the year when COVID shut down Chinese plants, but those problems were temporary
Farmers shouldn’t have problems sourcing agricultural chemicals this winter and spring, says an industry analyst. “We don’t see any shortage of products,” said David Frabotta, editor of AgriBusiness Global, a publication that reports on the agrochemical industry. “We do see fairly full value chains and fairly stable prices, on par with what we saw last […] Read more
Certain pesticides shorten honeybee lives
Oregon State University researchers determine sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone can shorten lives and cause stress
Western honeybees, major pollinators of fruit, nut, vegetable and seed crops, face many stresses today. That can sometimes can make them incapable of smoothly performing their tasks. Environmental stressors can include varroa mites, viruses and poor nutrition. Pesticide exposure adds to those threats. Research from Oregon State University has shown that two pesticides in particular […] Read more
Ag Drag
PMRA’s decision to reduce international engagement when it comes to MRLs could impede Canadian agricultural exports.
Health Canada is under pressure from Agriculture Canada and the standing committee on agriculture and the standing committee on finance to change how the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) operates. Farm groups have lobbied the government for the PMRA to take their needs into consideration because the agency’s activity has significant bearing on the agriculture […] Read more
