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
Dig down to spot cutworms early
Have cutworms? At this time of year, dingy cutworm is likely to be the culprit
Mistaken identity
Not everything that looks like a pest insect actually is
One of Manitoba’s best-known insect experts is reminding farmers to be sure of what they’re seeing when they scout. For example, that “wireworm” problem may not actually be a problem at all. Therevid larvae (the precursor to a large, hairy fly) are often mistaken for wireworms, provincial entomologist John Gavloski said during a May 22
Disease concerns highlight risk for pork sector
Wild pigs have become a reservoir for disease in other jurisdictions
Manitoba’s growing wild pig problem could spell trouble for one of its biggest economic engines — the pork sector. In parts of Europe they’ve become an impossible-to-control vector for African swine fever. There’s also the risk that the Canadian herd and the much-larger U.S. herd that’s moving north could soon meet and mingle, further increasing
Open season on wild pigs not the answer
Unfocused sport hunting will only make the problem worse
Is an open season on wild pigs the answer? Likely not, according to most of the experts, who say it’s likely that could actually make the problem worse. Private hunting may actually scatter a sounder and spread the problem unless the whole group is contained, Canadian Pork Council veterinary counsellor Dr. Egan Brockhoff said at
Wild pigs on the loose: A pending threat in Manitoba
The population of feral pigs is growing and the province doesn’t have a strategy to address it
How many wild pigs are roaming agro-Manitoba? Nobody knows the answer to that question, and that’s going to be a problem for the province. Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan who was educated at the University of Manitoba has the best handle, and even he admits his numbers are far from certain.
Rain ok, frost less welcome on fields
Rainfall has topped up soil moisture, but it's too early to say if there was much frost damage
Farmers and crop insurance appreciated the rain late last week but not the frost. As of press time Monday farmers and agronomists across much of agro-Manitoba were assessing what, if any damage, below-freezing temperature had on crops early May 27. Manitoba Agriculture weather stations recorded below-freezing temperatures in most regions, with the central region seeing
Pork suffering indirect trade woes
Canada’s canola producers have been in the headlines, but Manitoba’s pork sector says it has been fighting against Chinese tariffs bubbling over from the U.S.
Manitoba’s pork sector wants more attention to its own trade issues with China. The canola sector has dominated the agricultural headlines since sales to China ground to a halt earlier this year. But George Matheson, Manitoba Pork Council president, says pork producers have been fighting the impact of Chinese tariffs for a year. Why it
Beating the heat on seed-placed fertilizer
Lack of soil moisture may give pause when it comes to hot seedbeds
Farmers are being reminded to watch their seed-placed fertilizer rates if they want to avoid burning off profits. Placing phosphate with soybeans has not typically given a yield response, according to Dennis Lange, provincial pulse specialist. He urged farmers to monitor their soil phosphorus and determine whether they should be drawing down, maintaining or building
More debate yet to come on neonics
Health Canada has satisfied its concern with three neonicotinoid insecticides and pollinator risk, but a decision to protect aquatic insects may yet take those chemistries off the table
Health Canada’s April decisions on three neonicotinoid insecticides won’t change much for growers this year — but it also won’t be the last word on the subject. Producers will still have access to most imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam uses following the April 11 ruling. In 2016, the federal government announced plans to phase out imidacloprid
Cargill moves beyond pilot program for sustainable beef
Its foray into sustainable beef was successful enough that the company is making it a standing program, with some improvements coming down the pipe
Last year was good for Cargill’s sustainable beef pilot project — good enough that the company is turning it into a standing program. The pilot is currently the only source for beef verified under the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) standards. Producers audited to the standard can expect an extra payment for their cattle,