The province got some much needed rain over the weekend, although some regions are still looking for moisture
Fields finally got a break in the dry spell coming into the third week of June, although some more than others. Manitoba Agriculture reports that much of agro-Manitoba got less than 60 per cent of average moisture between May 1 and June 9, although much of the east and Red River Valley were creeping closer […] Read more
Most winter wheat made it into spring, but cold temperatures and lack of rainfall have added a sour note
Spring was not kind to this year’s winter cereals, and the so-far patchy rains have seen little improvement. Both forage and winter cereals suffered from a cold, dry start to the growing season. Temperatures remained unseasonably cold well into May. A major frost event May 26 saw widespread lows under -2 C, with some areas […] Read more
Farmers headed into the field for round two of canola seeding last week after dry conditions, frost and flea beetles sabotaged their first stands
If you were reseeding canola last week, you were far from alone. MASC reported a sudden spike in reseed claims the first week of June, most of them from canola fields. Canola claims jumped from 182 as of May 30 to over 700 by June 7. The agency had received 850 reseed claims across all […] Read more
Downy and Japanese brome have been considered invasive species in Manitoba for years and weed experts are asking farmers to keep an eye out for them
Those grassy weeds popping out of the ground might be hiding a noxious surprise. Tammy Jones, Manitoba Agriculture’s weed specialist, says she is concerned about both downy and Japanese brome, both Tier 2 noxious weeds that have been digging roots in parts of Manitoba. Both species have been present in Manitoba for years, although Jones […] Read more
Red bartsia is an old enemy, but orange hawkweed is relatively new on Manitoba’s list of invasive species
They might look beautiful to the gardener’s eye, but orange hawkweed and red bartsia don’t have any friends in agriculture. Orange hawkweed, also known as devil’s paintbrush, has officially made its way into Manitoba after sightings in the municipalities of Piney and Stuartburn. The Tier 1 noxious weed is noted for its bright-orange to red […] Read more
Forage got a needed boost in the last week of May, especially in areas that got rain before the temperatures rose
The province got some of its first forage-friendly growing days in the last week of May, but it still may not be enough. This spring was another hard start for hay growers. Cold temperatures and lack of rainfall delayed alfalfa and pasture regrowth, leading the province’s forage experts to put out warnings against premature turnout. […] Read more
Manitoba's dry weather, previous frost stress and recent heat means producers need to keep a close eye on flea beetle damage
The heat is back in the forecast, and so are the flea beetles. Manitoba Agriculture reported that the beetles were, “aggressively feeding in pockets,” and that some farmers were spraying for flea beetles in the last week of May. Lionel Kaskiw, farm production adviser with the province, says beetle pressure may get worse as the […] Read more
Beekeepers have been promised at least another two years of the inspections they argue are important for bee health
Beekeepers are getting in line for their checkups, and they’re pretty happy about that fact. Manitoba’s honey producers will have at least another two years of hive inspections now that the province has approved a new contract with DLJ Consulting and its team, led by Derek Micholson. The new contract will cover 2019 and 2020, […] Read more
Pest control in potatoes is caught between growing pressure to cut back on common chemical tools and concerns over chemical rotation, but do biopesticides factor into the path forward?
Potato biopesticides are still digging a niche in a sector beleaguered by chemical-resistance concerns, social pressure and the threat of regulatory crackdown on common chemistries. But their best fit might support, rather than replace, what growers are already doing in the field. The promise of biopesticides — drawn from naturally occurring substances that are unfriendly […] Read more
Have cutworms? At this time of year, dingy cutworm is likely to be the culprit
The cutworms may already be out, but the damage is unlikely to look like the usual “clipped” stems, according to provincial entomologist John Gavloski. Dingy cutworms are the only species likely to be mature enough to cause damage, as they overwinter as larvae, he said during a May 22 Crop Talk webinar. The greyish, dull-coloured […] Read more
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