Pea leaf weevil continues to expand its range across the Prairie provinces, with some of the highest recent feeding levels now recorded in western Manitoba.

“It has moved quite far north and also quite far east,” Vankosky said.

Prairie Pest Monitoring Network surveys show that in 2025 some of the highest feeding levels were recorded in western Manitoba, in areas where populations were likely high enough to cause economic damage in field peas and faba beans.

The most recent monitoring map suggests the pest’s Prairie-wide establishment is now complete, with detections reaching the Ontario border.

Life cycle and what to watch for

Pea leaf weevil produces one generation per year, with adults active in spring and again in late summer. In spring, adults move into pea and faba bean fields and feed along leaf margins, leaving distinctive crescent-shaped notches. While the foliar feeding is visible, the more serious damage happens below ground.

Larvae feed on root nodules, reducing the plant’s ability to fix nitrogen and affecting both yield and seed quality.

Weather plays a role in population dynamics. Wet conditions tend to favour survival in the soil stage, while drought can limit larval development.

Monitoring focuses on counting feeding notches on seedlings between the second and sixth node stages. Nominal thresholds are 30 per cent of field pea seedlings showing damage to terminal leaves and 15 per cent in faba beans.

Management options remain limited

Management options remain limited for pea leaf weevil. Although foliar insecticides are registered, recent work in southern Saskatchewan found no yield benefit from applying a foliar spray.

Seed treatments can offer protection, but they must be applied at planting, before growers know what adult pressure will be in a given field. Evidence suggests seed treatments can protect yield, but the benefit depends on weevil density.

“There is no strong evidence that foliar insecticides protect against yield loss,” Vankosky said.

That puts growers in a difficult spot, particularly in areas where the pest is still expanding and pressure can vary widely from year to year.

“If you are planning to plant peas or beans in an area that had very high populations last year, you might want to consider applying the seed treatment,” she added.

Researchers are also studying alternatives to insecticides. Beneficial insects such as ground beetles have shown some ability to feed on pea leaf weevil eggs and adults, and work is underway to better understand how much natural impact enemies may have on populations.

Trap cropping — planting early strips of peas or faba beans to attract and concentrate adults — is also being explored, though it requires further field-scale testing.

With the insect now established across all Prairie provinces, Vankosky encouraged growers to monitor fields closely in early spring and consult the local survey maps produced annually by the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network.

Key takeaways for prairie growers

• Pea leaf weevil is now established across all Prairie provinces and has been detected as far east as near the Ontario border.
• In 2025, some of the highest recorded feeding levels were in western Manitoba — including areas with likely economic damage.
• Foliar insecticides do not protect yield. Seed treatments at planting are the main management option.
• Economic thresholds are 30 per cent of pea seedlings with terminal leaf damage, and 15 per cent for faba beans.
• Monitor Prairie Pest Monitoring Network survey maps each spring for local population updates.

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“I am relieved, and I’m happy with the outcome,” said Eric Fridfinnson, board chair of the soon-to-be-defunct Manitoba Flax Growers Association.

The vote passed with a clear majority after members of the five organization voted at their groups’ annual general meetings. A total of 165 ballots were cast over the five meetings, and a two-thirds majority was required in favour of the resolution at each of the meetings.

“I think it bodes well for support for the concept of the Manitoba Crop Alliance,” said Fridfinnson.

*Here’s how the votes tallied up:

• Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association – 66 votes yes, 16 votes no
• Manitoba Corn Growers Association – 28 votes yes, 5 votes no
• Manitoba Flax Growers Association – 18 votes yes, 1 vote no
• Winter Cereals Manitoba – 15 votes yes, 1 vote no
• National Sunflower Association of Canada – 14 votes yes, 1 vote no

The Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA), Manitoba Corn Growers Association (MCGA), Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA), National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) and Winter Cereals Manitoba Inc. (WCMI) will form the Manitoba Crop Alliance.

That’s a change from when the proposal was first put forward, two years ago. Then the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) were part of the deal. But in July 2018 they withdrew and in November of the year Winter Cereals Manitoba joined.

“I’m excited,” said Fred Greig, board chair of the MWBGA, who said he expected his organizations would gain efficiency and see more director engagement.

[AUDIO: Fred Greig of Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers comments on the vote results]

One issue that the groups had addressed through the consultation process was to amend the proposed organizational structure to include ‘crop committees’ for each of the commodities, ensuring the smaller-acreage crops wouldn’t be lost in the larger organization. Greig said he sees another important role for them in providing an entry-point for farmers looking to get involved.

“I really hope that with these crop committees, it will get some younger producers in to get their feet wet,” he said.

However, the vote didn’t go by without debate.

At the MFGA annual general meeting, member Wilfred (Butch) Harder expressed concern that amalgamation would result in directors becoming overloaded, and result in less representation for individual crops.

“I fail to see how this will bring more democracy into the system,” he said.

Others expressed concerned that smaller crop groups wouldn’t survive if they didn’t band together.

Amalgamating would stabilize cash flow for the smaller organizations, said Fridfinnson at the MWBGA meeting.

That meeting was the scene of the most protracted debate of the series of meetings.

For smaller groups, just paying an administrator can eat the whole budget, he said.

Beyond this, members said that teaming up would give them a bigger voice in an increasingly complex industry.

“A lot of the problems we’re facing in agriculture aren’t commodity-specific,” said Fridfinnson.

“The world is getting much more complex and complicated,” said Curtis Simms at WCMI’s AGM. “We need more than one person leading each organization.”

Former NSAC president Kelly Dobson said that in his experience, dealing with Ottawa was better done in a larger group and would require professional administration—something not all commodity groups could afford.

“I’m more concerned of what happens if we don’t [amalgamate],” said Dobson.

This led to another member asking why, if the merge was so urgent, canola, pulses and soybeans were not also joining them.

Dobson said these commodity groups didn’t yet have the urgency that they did.

Myron Krahn said he expects more groups will merge in the future.

“Other provinces are watching,” he said.

A similar merger in Ontario just over ten years ago has been judged largely successful. The Grain Farmers of Ontario originally saw the Ontario Corn Producers’ Association, Ontario Soybean Growers and the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board join forces. In 2015, barley and oat growers also joined.

Following the Manitoba vote, Fridfinnson told the Co-operator the new alliance will have to work hard to maintain and build farmer input. He said in his experience with the Flax Growers, it’s difficult to keep members engaged when they only see each other once a year.

[AUDIO: Eric Fridfinnson of Manitoba Flax Growers post-vote reaction to the results]

Fred Greig said that the new group would be a work in progress as it develops with the interests of farmers in mind.

“I’m sure we’ll have to tweak a few things,” said Greig.

A petition was submitted by the Manitoba Crop Alliance’s board of directors to the Manitoba Farm Products Marketing Council (MFPMC) on February 14. That’s the next step for the MCA to gain its designation under the Agricultural Producers’ Organization Funding Act, which will give them the authority to collect a levy at the current levels.

Prior to the vote the MFPMC had ruled and voted in favour of amalgamation by the five organizations would establish the representative nature of the Manitoba Crop Alliance.

The MCA board of directors will be meeting later this winter to work on the transition process, and the new group is expected to become operational August 1.

*UPDATE: Vote tallies and some merger background context were added.

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Canadian grain farmers will soon have a “first-ever” grain production code of practices, following an announcement by the federal agriculture minister at Crop Connect 2020 in Winnipeg.

Marie-Claude Bibeau said the federal government will be providing $800,000 in funding for the program, intended to document the practices for trading partners and consumers. It will demonstrate to global customers that Canadian farmers provide safe and sustainable food, she said. There’s also an additional $340,000 to address “regulatory risks.”

This federal investment of $1.2 million will help the grain industry to manage risk,” Bibeau said.

Speaking at the same podium following the minister’s remarks, Rick White, Canada Grains Council vice-chair and Canadian Canola Growers Association CEO, applauded the announcement.

“The development of a defined code of practice will help grain farmers tell the good story of agriculture in Canada,” he said. “We have a very good story to tell.”

See the upcoming Feb. 20 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator for more coverage from Crop Connect.

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Robert Stevenson was recognized last week in Winnipeg at the annual CropConnect conference.

Stevenson served as a Manitoba director on the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) board for six years from 2003 to 2009. During that time he sat as chair on the CSGA education and promotion and Canadian Seed Institute committees. He was also a key contributor to developing the seed education modules currently available for use at universities and colleges across the country.

• More from Crop Connect: Commodity collaboration, mergers discussed at CropConnect

He farms near Kenton, with his wife Ellen and son Sid, on land homesteaded by his great-grandfather in 1882.

The farm was one of the first in Manitoba to incorporate the zero-tillage production system. Reflecting this interest, Stevenson is a former president of both the Manitoba-North Dakota Zero-Till Farmers Association and Manitoba Zero-Till Research Association. He’s also the former president of the Woodworth Conservation Area and the Canadian Seed Institute.

In recent years the farm has begun incorporating cover crop seed production.

The Stevensons’ farm is a registered seed establishment and is recognized as a select grower. Stevenson has been a CSGA member since 1975. He’s also a shareholder in Wheat City Seeds.

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It was one of the main themes at commodity group annual meetings at the fourth annual CropConnect conference in Winnipeg Feb. 15 and 16.

And the man credited with planting the seed in 2013 — Halbstadt-farmer Danny Penner — is pleased to see the idea is being debated.

“I am very excited,” Penner said in an interview Feb. 17 from England. “I am glad that the organizations that are getting involved are talking about collaboration… and I am excited about that. Obviously there is some trepidation by some organizations.”

• More from CropConnect: MSGA recognizes long-term supporter

Penner says it’s not a question of if, but when some merging occurs.

“I really do (think it will happen) but it will take more time,” he said. “I can see a model something similar to like the Grain Farmers of Ontario. I can see in the future there will be collaboration even between provinces. If we don’t I think… we will lose the confidence of the farmers and if we lose the confidence of the farmers we will lose public control.”

Some commodity group administrators, including Theresa Bergsma, who is retiring as general manager of the Manitoba Corn Growers Association, has said her association has been collaborating for years and merging with others is the next logical step, but only if members support it.

“There are too many commodity groups,” Jason Voth, an Altona farmer and president of the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers Association (MPSGA) told the association’s annual meeting Feb. 15. “We are operating in silos, often wanting similar things, often doing similar things. We should be working together. Together our voice as farmers could be smarter and louder. Our dollars as farmers could be better spent, ensuring my farm and your farm are as profitable as they can be.”

It’s obvious from their financial reports some of the smaller commodity groups, such as sunflowers and flax, are struggling as plantings decline and revenue follows.

“The reality is for our (Manitoba Flax Growers Association) organization and all of the other small commodities, is if you want to do some useful work you have to make sure that you don’t just spend your whole budget on administering the organization,” Eric Fridfinnson, the group’s president, told reporters Feb. 16 following the association’s annual meeting. “If you have a budget of $150,000 or $200,000 (and) if you’re going to have to hire a full-time employee and rent an office there is not going to be a lot left. So we have to find ways to be more efficient and it is not only flax, it is all the small commodities.”

Manitoba’s sunflower acres in 2016 fell to 67,992 — the lowest level since 2001. And the Canadian National Sunflower Association (CNSA) lost almost $88,000 in 2016, following a $47,000 loss in 2015.

When it comes to mergers, members must not be indifferent, CNSA president and Virden farmer Mark McDonald told the association’s annual meeting Feb. 15.

“These are big decisions and they could have large ramifications going forward so we want to be your voice and get across what the grassroots want,” he said.

Kelly Dobson, a Fairfax, Man., farmer and consultant with DobsonLead, has been hired to collect farmer feedback. Opinions can be submitted through email (strongfarms@dobsonlead.ca) or Twitter (#strongfarms).

“Please talk to your directors,” Dobson told a packed lunchtime audience at CropConnect Feb. 15. “Ask questions. Tell them what you’re thinking because at the end of the day it is your money, it is your farm and it is your future. Help each other succeed.”

Commodity groups have changed, Dobson said. They are expected to take on so much more of what used to be left to governments, such as funding-applied research, extension and market development.

Farmers want a choice of crops, but production is driven by what’s profitable now, he said.

“It is completely unintentional that the current system does not foster collaboration, but nevertheless grower organizations have done so where possible and this conference is a most visible example,” Dobson said

The Manitoba Canola Growers Association has been part of the collaboration/merger talks, and will continue to be, association president Chuck Fossay said in an interview following the association’s annual meeting Feb. 16. However, as one of the oldest commodity groups, already collaborating with provincial and national canola associations, it isn’t sure how well canola would be served folded into a general crops organization.

“We are not really sure how to continue to interface with these other (canola) groups if we are no longer a purely canola group,” he said. “There are a lot of things that have to be looked at and worked through before we would go forward with any serious type of merger.”

The Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA) kicked the collaboration/merger discussion off in April 2015, association president and Reston farmer Fred Greig said. Funding came from the Manitoba Agriculture’s Growing Actions program for a study on the “Operational Challenges of Manitoba Growers’ Associations,” conducted by Scott Wolfe Management.

Five commodity groups — wheat/barley, corn, pulse/soybean, canola and sunflowers — were part of the initial discussions.

The project identified common challenges, best practices and opportunities for more formal collaboration, MWBGA director Dylan Wiebe, who farms at Altona, told the association’s annual meeting Feb. 16. A provincial roundtable was formed and oat, flax and winter cereals joined the discussion brings the total number of groups to the current eight.

“All organizations acknowledged the need to work together and recognized that different organizations may have a varying sense of urgency and expectations,” Wiebe said.

“We are going to lead by our example,” Greig told reporters. “It’s not like, ‘get on the bus or get under the bus.’ This is the direction we are going. If it looks like it could work for your organization and it can work for our organization we are going to make it happen.”

That’s how the MWBGA and corn growers agreed to hire a joint general manager.

Manitoba Agriculture Mminister Ralph Eichler supports commodity group collaboration, but stressed it’s up to farmers, not the government.

“It just warms my heart to be able to see groups get along together and share ideas and share commonalities,” he told reporters following the CropConnect banquet Feb. 15. “The No. 1 goal that we all want to achieve… is better results for our farmers. When rural Manitoba and our farmers are successful all of Manitoba is successful. ”

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