A robotic weeder in a vegetable field near Davis, California. The rows must be very straight and precise for the weeder to properly do its job.

A row to hoe

Robots are the future of weed control, one researcher says

Forget about that old hoe — it’s time to go high tech with weed control. Researchers at the University of California-Davis say robotic weeders are already making headway in high-value vegetable crops, fuelled by a lack of chemical controls and lack of affordable labour. Steven Fennimore, an extension specialist at the university, pegs the cost

Frontal view of a Colorado potato beetle.

What’s the future of Colorado potato beetle control?

Neonics may be losing the beetle battle. What are the alternatives?

An old pest is becoming a new problem, according to Tracy Shinners-Carnelley, director of research and quality enhancement for Peak of the Market. Shinners-Carnelley was at Manitoba Potato Production Days in January to discuss Colorado potato beetle (CPB) control options as neonicotinoid seed treatments begin to lose effectiveness against the potato’s ancient enemy. Since the


Chloropicrin being applied on a New Brunswick potato field. McCain has been trialling applications there since 2014.

Fumigation a potential solution for ‘tired potato land’

Not all land will show an effect however, so producers need to consider the strategy carefully

Soil fumigation is a good option for potato acres inflicted by yield-limiting pests, says Andy Robinson, a North Dakota State University extension potato specialist. Fumigation is used south of the border to control buildup of soil-borne pests causing verticillium wilt, potato early dying and other diseases. But fumigation hasn’t been widely adopted in Canada, unlike

Flying bee

Neonic replacement not popular with farmers or beekeepers

They’re too expensive, ineffective and still harmful to bees, to cite just some of the concerns expressed

A proposed replacement for a key neonicotinoid pesticide is proving unpopular with everyone — including farmers and beekeepers. Farmers adopted neonic pesticides because they were safer and didn’t damage the environment as older pesticides did. With one of the three used in Canada being phased out, the search for replacements is on. Mark Brock, chairman


Another fumigation derogation granted

After years of six-month-long port-of-origin fumigation reprieves, Pulse Canada wants certainty

The Canadian pulse industry has been granted another stop-gap extension for a key fumigation requirement, but nobody is mistaking this development for a permanent solution. India, a key market for the crops, fears shipments could be contaminated with nematodes, something they say could put their domestic crops at risk. Therefore they require shipments to be

PMRA once again upholds safety of 2,4-D

One of the earliest registered crop protection products, 2,4-D has been controversial

After a three-year review, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency has again approved the use of the herbicide 2,4-D. Developed after the Second World War, the safety of the weed killer has been upheld in numerous reviews in Canada and elsewhere, despite repeated attacks on its use. PMRA will collect public comments on its decision until


What is that critter, and is it a good one or a bad one? An app being developed by AAFC and the U of M will be able to tell you.

App will identify bugs and outbreaks in real time

Farmers and agronomists sought for testing app that will allow reporting and tracking of insect outbreaks

Researchers at the University of Manitoba and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are developing a new app that will make it easier for farmers to practise integrated pest management (IPM). The free, user-friendly app, which should be available in 2018, incorporates three separate tools for pest identification, forecasting and crop management. The pest ID tool is

diamondback moth

Replacing insecticides with sex in pest control

Genetically engineered male moths prevent females from reproducing

Cornell University researchers are combining two biotechnologies to control diamondback moths with sex instead of insecticide. The pesky feeders on crucifer crops, including canola, mustards and vegetables, have developed resistance to many insecticides as well as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a soil bacteria that has been genetically engineered into corn and cotton to help control such


Genetically modified diamondback moth offers pest control hope

Genetically modified diamondback moth offers pest control hope

The modified moths can mate as well as any other but they only produce male offspring


Scientists in Britain say they have developed a way of genetically modifying and controlling an invasive species of moth that causes serious pest damage to cabbages, kale, canola and other similar crops worldwide. In what they said could be a pesticide-free and environmentally friendly way to control insect pests, the scientists, from the Oxford University

Children's play structure in a playground

Cosmetics pesticide use will be history by 2015 in Manitoba

Critics have little confidence in Health Canada reviews of pesticides because its assessments 
are based on data supplied by industry

The Manitoba government has moved forward on its pledge to introduce legislation banning the use of synthetic chemical pesticides on school, daycare and hospital grounds, as well as on lawns. The legislation, which is expected to take effect in 2015, does not affect golf courses, agriculture or forestry, but cosmetic pesticide use will be restricted