Some people are bean counters, but Scott Meers chose instead to be a bug counter. Now, let’s start off by saying that Meers, insect management specialist for Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, absolutely knows that not all insects are bugs. But when it comes to extension and making insect management accessible, Meers knows full well that… Read More
Wheat midge is something that traditionally, farmers in Alberta have not been too concerned about. It was always more of a Saskatchewan issue. Over the past few years however, as we have moved to wetter springs and summers, conditions have changed enough for the pest to become a greater concern. Wheat midge is a pest… Read More
The cereal leaf beetle traditionally has been a minor pest in Canada. Western Canada has begun to see some of the damage as it has moved north from the United States. Scott Meers, Alberta Agriculture states that the cereal leaf beetle has not yet moved above Highway One but should still be a concern for… Read More
Today, on the show: Andria Karstens with Climate FieldView on the latest from the platform; Scott Meers, insect management specialist with the Government of Alberta, provides an update on insect pests in the province, and a discussion on the co-evolution of crop hybrids and economic thresholds; Wendy White of Viterra, joins to talk markets; and… Read More
Every year is different when it comes to insect populations and pest management. Weather, varietal selection, and natural enemy numbers all impact pest development. This year, dry conditions in parts of the Prairies have a particular insect thriving. “The big, big one right now is grasshoppers,” says Scott Meers, Government of Alberta insect management specialist,… Read More
We’re nearly through the annual flight for bertha armyworm, and numbers are certainly concerning in some areas. If you’ve got canola headed in to podding, you need to scout — this nasty pest can cause a lot of damage in a short time. As canola moves past flowering and into podding, bertha armyworm will move from… Read More
Some pests like it dry, some like it warm, and some need it windy to get where they want to go. And sometimes insect pests can surprise you and not nearly be as bad as anticipated. That’s the story of the summer of 2018 — so far — according to Alberta Agriculture insect specialist, Scott Meers…. Read More
Every year the planning committee behind Edmonton’s renowned FarmTech conference recognizes someone who has made “an outstanding contribution to Alberta’s cropping industry.” This year’s award recipient is well-known to the agriculture community for his commitment to extension, people, and the industry he loves. Scott Meers graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor’s Degree… Read More
Tuesday’s radio podcast, on-location from CanolaPalooza at Lacombe, Alberta, featuring an all-star lineup of canola agronomy experts, including Gregory Sekulic, Dilantha Fernando, Clint Jurke, Neil Harker and Scott Meers. Join us for RealAg Radio every weekday afternoon — 4pm eastern on Rural Radio 147 on SiriusXM! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS
With the cooler soil temperatures we’ve been seeing across Western Canada, unwanted pests are beginning to show up in some fields. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Insect Management Specialist Scott Meers says that early on in the season we should be keeping our eyes out for stand establishment insects such as cutworms and wireworms. There have been a… Read More
Here’s a fun fact: not all weevils are pests. Unfortunately, as fun as that fact may be, the reality is several weevil species are damaging pests, and their range is expanding in Alberta. Alfalfa weevil, pea leaf weevil, and cabbage seedpod weevil have all shown an expanded range in the province, and, as Scott Meers,… Read More
On the heels of Super Bowl Sunday, it’s an info-packed Agronomy Monday on RealAg Radio, including: a discussion with Alberta barley growers Scott Keller and Wade McKallister on the keys to consistently making malt with your barley. Scott Meers of Alberta Agriculture (and Forestry, but don’t ask him about forestry) chats with Lyndsey about the… Read More
Predicting insect outbreaks isn’t an easy task, as we learned from insect management specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Scott Meers. Even small changes to what was expected from the weather can skew data. But, understanding forecasts and what impacts populations can certainly help farmers get a better idea of when and where to focus their scouting… Read More
It should come as no surprise to insect geeks that the ash-grey insect above with a rather distracting snout is a weevil. More specifically, it’s a cabbage seedpod weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus), an insect pest that has been infecting canola crops (and other Brassicaceae species) in Alberta since the mid-1990s, and it has since moved across the southern portion… Read More
Brassicogethes aeneus, commonly referred to as the pollen beetle and formerly known as Meligethes aeneus, is a major pest of canola in countries like Scandinavia, and, is now present in eastern Canada. And, though they are not yet a problem in western Canada, entomologists are suggesting we become familiar with what to look for. “One nice thing… Read More