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
In Alberta, regulations require premises identification (PID) became law under the Animal Health Act on January 1, 2009. It is thus mandatory for livestock and poultry to be associated with a PID account. It’s part of a full traceability system aimed at improving disease and emergency response. Related: Alberta Beef Producers Proposes an Additional, Non-Refundable $1 to the… Read More
Wheat leaf diseases aren’t always capable of overwintering in Canada. Besides often needing shelter from harsh winter conditions, the pathogens also suffer from a relative lack of alternate hosts. This year, however, stripe rust — a disease caused by the fungus Puccinia striiformis — took sanctuary in winter wheat fields in parts of the prairies, safe… Read More
Erysiphe pisi, the pathogen that causes powdery mildew in peas, first becomes visible in spots on the upper surface of leaves, particularly those in the lower canopy. Once the fungus infects its host, it is quick to spread, coating the surfaces of plant tissue with a fine, blue-white powder. Powdery mildew in peas is largely… Read More
The role of genomics in the cattle industry continues to expand, as the price for genetic tests become more affordable for a wider demographic of producers. Parentage testing is only the tip of the iceberg available to interested parties, with understanding of expected progeny differences (EPD) and estimated breeding values (EBV) increasing and playing an impressive role… Read More
Pasture rental rates in Alberta can vary significantly depending on the year, the contract, location and whether or not the landowner will take a supervisory role in livestock management. In 2012, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development published a survey that showed a range in pasture rental from $10.50-$33.50/AUM. In this video (also available as audio only), we speak… Read More
If you’ve got livestock, eventually you’ve got deadstock, too. Disposing of that deadstock can be a source of disease transmission or environmental contamination if not done properly, so it’s very important that ranchers and feedlot owners have a plan in place to deal with deadstock. There are several options available, all with pros and cons,… Read More
With good lodging resistance, early seeding and marketing flexibility, it’s no wonder faba bean acres continue to rise in Alberta. And with harvest nearing completion, those faba bean stalks are starting to fall, leaving many a smiling farmer in their wake. “By now a lot of the faba beans have started to come off,” said… Read More
Abiotic — or “nonliving” — stresses can cause significant yield loss in canola. And, unfortunately, symptoms like sterile and distorted pods, flower blast and pale petals are not unique to one stressor, making misdiagnosis very common. For example, extreme heat, nutrient deficiency and herbicide injury can all result in very similar damage in canola plants…. Read More
Applying fungicides to pulses early is crucial, particularly with polycyclic diseases which can spread through the canopy quickly. Downy mildew is one of these polycyclic diseases, but it’s trickier than most to control due to a few factors, says Kan-Fa Chang, research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Chang says limited fungicide options makes in-crop… Read More
If there’s two things I learned from the GIJOE cartoons in the eighties it’s that 1) GIJOE must have a strict catch and release policy because I don’t recall any members of COBRA being killed and they come back every week. 2) Knowing is half the battle!(they said it at the end of every episode)… Read More
How much would you save if each of your cows ate 10 pounds of feed less per day but gained the same? The exact value would change, but the cost savings would be significant no matter where you farm. But is there a way to not just identify more efficient animals, but also breed the… Read More
Clubroot has been a major discussion in Alberta the past few years. With best management practices developed and breeders trying to solve the issue through genetics, clubroot is receiving research dollars and attention from the industry and farmers. Check Out the Canola School Alberta Agriculture has released an updated clubroot map for the province which is… Read More
Blackleg, a fungal disease of canola, is getting away with murder. That’s right, murder. This fall, dead, brittle canola plants at swathing or harvest are being attributed, sometimes very wrongly, to sclerotinia infection when, in fact, blackleg is to blame. It’s likely been happening for years, Clint Jurke, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of… Read More
Stopping the spread of clubroot takes diligence. If you’re in an area where there is a clubroot presence, it’s important to get out and scout your fields regularly looking for signs of infection. If you don’t know you have it, you may unknowingly spread it through soil transfer from equipment moving field to field. If… Read More
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