Wheat midge adults are tiny orange-coloured flying insects that are typically observed at dusk under calm conditions. | File photo

‘Midgebusters’ seek resistant genes

Scientists explore wheat midge resistance  in order to stack them into new varieties and extending the life of Sm1

Glacier FarmMedia – A new public-academic research project is scrutinizing an older spring wheat variety to assess its potential for midge tolerance. Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the University of Manitoba are genomically mapping the 2013-released AC Vesper VB spring wheat to understand a trait that appears to repel female midge from laying […] Read more

Plant early in May to maximize yield or seed later to avoid flea beetles, frost and re-seeding costs? | File photo

Seeding dates can be tricky

WINNIPEG — The science around canola and seeding dates can be confusing. Plant early in May to maximize yield or seed later to avoid flea beetles, frost and re-seeding costs? “(There’s) always lots of questions (about seeding date),” said Chris Holzapfel, research manager with the Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation. “It can be a difficult […] Read more


Graham Parsons, a pollinator biosecurity specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture, shows the insect species he collected from the Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission’s on-farm experiments in night spraying.  |  Becky Zimmer photo

Study determines night spraying can benefit pollinators

Spraying for the lesser clover leaf weevil is not only easier on pollinators but also provides more effective pest control

Forage and seed producers heard about the benefits of night spraying for red clover crops during the Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission’s recent annual meeting. The commission conducted two on-farm experiments of night spraying in June 2021. Graham Parsons, pollinator biosecurity specialist with the Saskatchewan agriculture department, identified the pollinators that benefit from nighttime pesticide […] Read more



Flea beetles on volunteer canola plant leaves.

Consider moisture before spraying flea beetle

“Canola can take a lot of damage before you actually need to spray. The conditions that make me worried for flea beetles though, are the hot and dry conditions because that makes the flea beetle bites on the plants worse. When it’s hot and dry, the plant can’t compensate for having these holes in it and then the holes lead to increased drying,” said Tyler Wist, an Agriculture Canada research scientist who studies flea beetles.