Entomologist Christian Krupke at the Purdue Bee Laboratory with pollen collected by Indiana honeybees.

Non-crop plants source of most pesticide contamination of bees

One of the most common sources of pollen contamination is home pest control products

Urban landscapes may bear more responsibility for exposing bees to pesticides than previously thought. A recent study from Purdue University, published in the academic journal Nature Communications, found honeybees gathered the vast majority of pollen from non-agriculture crops and were being exposed to both agricultural and domestic pesticides. Entomologist Christian Krupke found pollen samples contained

European buyers of Canadian grain are asking about glyphosate and other pesticide residues, as well as mycotoxins, John Peterson, Richardson International’s assistant vice-president of wheat marketing and hedging, told a meeting in Saskatoon last month.

Grains industry says residue issues aren’t going away

Canadian grain producers need to be more vigilant than ever about what pesticides they apply, and how they apply them

Like it or not, the safety of glyphosate is becoming a big issue for agriculture. Consumers are beginning to have doubts, especially about residue levels, and that’s translating into questions from buyers, one industry insider told a March 24 meeting in Saskatoon. Speaking at a meeting of the Prairie Grain Development Committee, John Peterson, Richardson


(Photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

France moves toward all-out ban on neonics

Paris | Reuters — French lawmakers approved plans for a total ban on some widely used pesticides blamed for harming bees, going beyond European Union restrictions in a fierce debate that has pitched farmers and chemical firms against beekeepers and green groups. The EU limited the use of neonicotinoid chemicals, produced by companies including Bayer

kochia

Heading off Group 2-resistant weeds

It’s complicated, but picking the right rotation of crops and chemicals is key to avoiding multiple resistance

Many common crop rotations in Manitoba are selecting for Group 2 herbicide resistance, as well as pushing resistance to other herbicide groups, says a U.S. weed specialist. Jeff Stachler of Ohio State University’s Auglaize County Extension Office told the recent Manitoba Agronomists Conference that a good rotation, not just of crops, but also of herbicides


(CaseIH.com)

Feds scrap ‘conditional’ pesticide approvals

Federal crop chemical regulators this summer will stop granting “conditional” registrations for new pesticides — a practice already largely on the way out, they note. Health Canada, which oversees the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), said Tuesday it plans to stop granting new conditional registrations starting June 1, describing the move as an “important

Agricultural technology investment soars

Agricultural technology investment soars

Market turbulence or not, North American investors are plowing into farm technology

North American investors are pouring money into agriculture technology despite turbulent financial and commodity markets, as cutting-edge advances that enhance farm production bring opportunities for profits. Investment in this technology, which spans plant and soil technology to drones, amounted to $2.06 billion in the first half of 2015, on pace to smash last year’s record


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

Alloway straw cutter makes combines run smoother

Alloway straw cutter makes combines run smoother

Our History: August 1965

The Alloway straw cutter advertised in our August 5, 1965 issue was said to be simple to install, and due to the drum design and weight, would actually make the combine run smoother. The issue contained several photos from the Threshermen’s Reunion at Austin. Encouraged by another excellent turnout, the directors were considering expansion and


Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 12

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 12

Conditions as of July 20, 2015

Another week of generally good growing conditions continues to advance crops across Manitoba. Localized thunderstorms did result in significant precipitation amounts in some areas of the province, while other areas would still benefit from additional moisture. Disease pressure and insect activity continues to be monitored as the growing season progresses. Click here for the Crop Weather Report for