Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
It appears that most of Saskatchewan should be relatively safe from major grasshopper infestations for 2008, although there are some pockets of concern around the province.
That's the prognosis contained in the "2008 Grasshopper Forecast" compiled by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance.
The forecast, along with a corresponding colour-coded map showing the projected infestation risk across the province, has now been posted on the ministry's website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/.
"Overall, it looks like the majority of the province falls into the ‘none to very light' category, where the grasshopper population should not be a problem," said Dale Risula, the Integrated Crop Management Systems Specialist with the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Moose Jaw.
"There are a few isolated regions that have the potential for large populations of grasshoppers in 2008, but those are very small, particular areas," he added. "It appears that there may be three or four specific zones that could encounter some difficulties."
The forecast is based on the adult grasshopper counts observed during August and early September 2007 by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance field staff. The survey includes more than 1,100 sites throughout the province. The forecast is based on adult grasshoppers capable of reproduction. This provides an estimate of the number of eggs that may hatch the following spring and present a risk to crops in 2008.
"The forecast is not an absolute certainty," Risula noted. "It is just to say what the probability or the foundation is for grasshopper numbers in the upcoming growing season."
The primary factor determining actual grasshopper numbers will be the weather next spring.
"The hatch in the springtime is going to depend on growing degree days, which is a measure of accumulated heat units. If it's a dry, warm spring and the soil heats up fairly significantly, you could see an increase in the hatch numbers that take place. If it's a cold, wet spring, you will probably see populations kept at bay."
Populations can be affected by several other factors, including the presence of predatory insects, as well as the incidence of disease.
According to Risula, just about every crop grown in Saskatchewan is at some degree of risk from grasshopper damage. With cereals, grasshoppers generally consume the leaf material, which reduces the photosynthetic ability of the plant. With crops like lentil or flax, they usually attack the pods or bolls, which directly impacts yield.
In other crops such as canola, mustard or pea, grasshoppers may present an additional problem. "If they are present when the crop is being combined, their body parts can get picked up in the harvest and contaminate the sample, lowering the seed quality and requiring further processing," Risula said.
"Even in those areas where projections are low, producers would be well-served keeping a close eye on the situation, since infestations can vary widely on a field-by-field basis."
More information and advice on grasshopper projections and control methods can be found on the Saskatchewan Agriculture website or by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
For more information, contact:
Dale Risula, Integrated Cropping Management Systems Specialist
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Phone: (306) 694-3714
E-mail: drisula@agr.gov.sk.ca
Showing posts with label pests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pests. Show all posts
Mechanical Weed Control For Organic Producers
"Many organic growers say that mechanical weed control is more like an art than a science. Well, we are trying to find out what the science is behind the art." That is how Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) researcher Dr. Steve Shirtliffe sums up some new research into herbicide alternatives.
In 2004, Shirtliffe and co-researcher Eric Johnson with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada set out to explore the tolerance of oat, wheat and barley to mechanical weed control methods. Three years later, the research, funded in part by ADF, provided some interesting results.
Shirtliffe, an Associate Professor with the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Saskatchewan, said the research will benefit the growing organic sector.
"Weed control in organic crops is difficult. Mechanical techniques offer some options for farmers. When you use mechanical methods, they tend to be not nearly as selective as an herbicide would be. A lot of these mechanical methods cause crop damage as well as weed damage, so you have to balance it out to make sure that you are not making the matter worse," said Shirtliffe.
The research looked at several mechanical techniques, including in-crop harrowing, mowing and rolling. Shirtliffe said the biggest surprise had to do with oats.
"At the onset of our research, the thought was - and it was reflected in some production manuals - that post-emergent oat should not be in-crop harrowed. The information at the time suggested that wheat and barley were tolerant to this, but what we found out is that oat is indeed tolerant to it," explained Shirtliffe.
It's unclear why in-crop harrowing was previously not recommended for oat.
"We couldn't find any solid evidence, but speculate that because the position of the growing point of oat is closer to the surface, perhaps it was believed there would be damage. Our research showed oat, in fact, was often more tolerant than even wheat, which most people hold up as being a crop that is quite tolerant of in-crop harrowing," said Shirtliffe.
The findings provide organic oat producers with another option for weed control which previously was not recommended.
Another surprise came from the research into rolling flax as a weed control method.
Shirtliffe said the results there were pretty clear.
"We found out that it is probably not a good idea," but, he said, there was some anecdotal evidence that it might be effective.
"The idea was that you roll your flax with a roller that you would use for pulse crop production, and the thinking is that some weeds, like wild mustard, would be broken down by it and not come back, whereas flax with fibre in its stem would come back up and wouldn't be affected. Well, that never happened. It is something that we are not recommending at all. We looked at it for three years in a row at one location and it did not have any potential," said Shirtliffe.
Mowing to control weeds was an equal disappointment.
"We used wheat, oat and barley in the test, mowing them at different stages. The thinking was that the crop would come back quicker than the weeds - giving it a competitive advantage. In the end, we just didn't see any positive yield response or weed control benefit that would indicate that it is a practice that we would ever recommend," said Shirtliffe.
However, rotary hoeing did yield some positive results.
"My partner Eric Johnson looked at rotary hoeing. It looks like it might have some promise for organic growers - using a minimum-till rotary hoe. It is an implement we are not very familiar with in Western Canada, but it is used in the corn and soy bean belt. Multiple passes with a rotary hoe when the weeds are small is effective at killing some weeds, and there is quite good crop tolerance as well," said Shirtliffe.
While this research will benefit organic producers the most, Shirtliffe points out mechanical weed control techniques can also help non-organic producers reduce herbicide use.
A copy of the ADF report, Mechanical Weed Control for Organic Producers, project number 20030400, can be obtained by phoning Saskatchewan Agriculture at (306) 787-5929, or downloaded from the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Steve Shirtliffe, Associate Professor
Plant Sciences Department, University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-4959
Nominations Now Open For Rosemary Davis Award
In 2004, Shirtliffe and co-researcher Eric Johnson with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada set out to explore the tolerance of oat, wheat and barley to mechanical weed control methods. Three years later, the research, funded in part by ADF, provided some interesting results.
Shirtliffe, an Associate Professor with the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Saskatchewan, said the research will benefit the growing organic sector.
"Weed control in organic crops is difficult. Mechanical techniques offer some options for farmers. When you use mechanical methods, they tend to be not nearly as selective as an herbicide would be. A lot of these mechanical methods cause crop damage as well as weed damage, so you have to balance it out to make sure that you are not making the matter worse," said Shirtliffe.
The research looked at several mechanical techniques, including in-crop harrowing, mowing and rolling. Shirtliffe said the biggest surprise had to do with oats.
"At the onset of our research, the thought was - and it was reflected in some production manuals - that post-emergent oat should not be in-crop harrowed. The information at the time suggested that wheat and barley were tolerant to this, but what we found out is that oat is indeed tolerant to it," explained Shirtliffe.
It's unclear why in-crop harrowing was previously not recommended for oat.
"We couldn't find any solid evidence, but speculate that because the position of the growing point of oat is closer to the surface, perhaps it was believed there would be damage. Our research showed oat, in fact, was often more tolerant than even wheat, which most people hold up as being a crop that is quite tolerant of in-crop harrowing," said Shirtliffe.
The findings provide organic oat producers with another option for weed control which previously was not recommended.
Another surprise came from the research into rolling flax as a weed control method.
Shirtliffe said the results there were pretty clear.
"We found out that it is probably not a good idea," but, he said, there was some anecdotal evidence that it might be effective.
"The idea was that you roll your flax with a roller that you would use for pulse crop production, and the thinking is that some weeds, like wild mustard, would be broken down by it and not come back, whereas flax with fibre in its stem would come back up and wouldn't be affected. Well, that never happened. It is something that we are not recommending at all. We looked at it for three years in a row at one location and it did not have any potential," said Shirtliffe.
Mowing to control weeds was an equal disappointment.
"We used wheat, oat and barley in the test, mowing them at different stages. The thinking was that the crop would come back quicker than the weeds - giving it a competitive advantage. In the end, we just didn't see any positive yield response or weed control benefit that would indicate that it is a practice that we would ever recommend," said Shirtliffe.
However, rotary hoeing did yield some positive results.
"My partner Eric Johnson looked at rotary hoeing. It looks like it might have some promise for organic growers - using a minimum-till rotary hoe. It is an implement we are not very familiar with in Western Canada, but it is used in the corn and soy bean belt. Multiple passes with a rotary hoe when the weeds are small is effective at killing some weeds, and there is quite good crop tolerance as well," said Shirtliffe.
While this research will benefit organic producers the most, Shirtliffe points out mechanical weed control techniques can also help non-organic producers reduce herbicide use.
A copy of the ADF report, Mechanical Weed Control for Organic Producers, project number 20030400, can be obtained by phoning Saskatchewan Agriculture at (306) 787-5929, or downloaded from the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Steve Shirtliffe, Associate Professor
Plant Sciences Department, University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-4959
Nominations Now Open For Rosemary Davis Award
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A new opportunity to dispose of old pesticides
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
The chance has come again for agricultural producers to properly dispose of their obsolete pesticides free of charge through the Saskatchewan Obsolete Pesticide Collection Campaign, which will be underway across the province from October 23 to 25.
"The Obsolete Pesticide Collection Campaign gives farmers the opportunity to safely dispose of de-registered, outdated, unwanted or otherwise obsolete agricultural pesticides during a three-day province-wide blitz," said Wayne Gosselin, an Environmental Policy Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF).
Pesticide products that will be accepted under the campaign include agricultural herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides.
It is also important to note the products that will not be accepted through the initiative: empty pesticide containers, spray tank rinsate, adjuvants, treated seed, home/garden pesticides, paints, thinners, waste oils or any other household hazardous waste.
Products destined for disposal will be accepted at designated ag-retail collection locations throughout Saskatchewan. "There will be 46 collection sites set up around the province, with the idea being that most agricultural areas of the province will be within 50 kilometres or so of a drop-off site," Gosselin said.
Producers can find the nearest collection depot by phoning their agricultural retailer or the SAF Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377, or by visiting the campaign website at www.agr.gov.sk.ca/pesticidecollection and checking out the associated map.
The collected pesticides will be safely packaged before being transported to a special waste treatment facility approved by Saskatchewan Environment for disposal in an environmentally responsible manner.
Disposal is free for agricultural and commercial-based operations. This includes farmers from all sectors of the industry. It also includes landscape companies, private forestry nurseries, golf courses, turf operations and commercial exterminators.
CropLife Canada is the industry umbrella group that represents the manufacturers and distributors of crop protection products. Under its mandate of "working responsibly to protect people and the environment," the organization is cost-sharing the initiative with the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (formerly the Saskatchewan Council for Community Development Inc.), which is contributing through the federal Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) program.
"We are pleased to be part of a program that provides farmers with a safe, effective and cost-free way to properly dispose of unwanted products," CropLife Canada Manager of Stewardship Development Russel Hurst said.
"This program is a great example of how government, grower organizations and industry can work co-operatively towards a better environment."
The campaign is a one-time opportunity with no legal implications or cost to producers. Those dropping off products are not required to identify themselves. All pesticides will be accepted, including those without valid Canadian Pest Control Act numbers. For safety reasons, however, all containers must be labelled.
"Please make sure containers are leak-free and a pesticide name is written on every container," Hurst said. "If you no longer know what the pesticide is, label the container ‘pesticide unknown.'"
More information on the Saskatchewan Obsolete Pesticide Collection Campaign, including a list of collection locations and details on how to safely transport your pesticides, can be obtained from your farm supply dealer, by calling 1-416-622-9771, or by visiting http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/pesticidecollection.
For more information, contact:
Wayne Gosselin, Environmental Policy Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-6586
The chance has come again for agricultural producers to properly dispose of their obsolete pesticides free of charge through the Saskatchewan Obsolete Pesticide Collection Campaign, which will be underway across the province from October 23 to 25.
"The Obsolete Pesticide Collection Campaign gives farmers the opportunity to safely dispose of de-registered, outdated, unwanted or otherwise obsolete agricultural pesticides during a three-day province-wide blitz," said Wayne Gosselin, an Environmental Policy Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF).
Pesticide products that will be accepted under the campaign include agricultural herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides.
It is also important to note the products that will not be accepted through the initiative: empty pesticide containers, spray tank rinsate, adjuvants, treated seed, home/garden pesticides, paints, thinners, waste oils or any other household hazardous waste.
Products destined for disposal will be accepted at designated ag-retail collection locations throughout Saskatchewan. "There will be 46 collection sites set up around the province, with the idea being that most agricultural areas of the province will be within 50 kilometres or so of a drop-off site," Gosselin said.
Producers can find the nearest collection depot by phoning their agricultural retailer or the SAF Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377, or by visiting the campaign website at www.agr.gov.sk.ca/pesticidecollection and checking out the associated map.
The collected pesticides will be safely packaged before being transported to a special waste treatment facility approved by Saskatchewan Environment for disposal in an environmentally responsible manner.
Disposal is free for agricultural and commercial-based operations. This includes farmers from all sectors of the industry. It also includes landscape companies, private forestry nurseries, golf courses, turf operations and commercial exterminators.
CropLife Canada is the industry umbrella group that represents the manufacturers and distributors of crop protection products. Under its mandate of "working responsibly to protect people and the environment," the organization is cost-sharing the initiative with the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (formerly the Saskatchewan Council for Community Development Inc.), which is contributing through the federal Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) program.
"We are pleased to be part of a program that provides farmers with a safe, effective and cost-free way to properly dispose of unwanted products," CropLife Canada Manager of Stewardship Development Russel Hurst said.
"This program is a great example of how government, grower organizations and industry can work co-operatively towards a better environment."
The campaign is a one-time opportunity with no legal implications or cost to producers. Those dropping off products are not required to identify themselves. All pesticides will be accepted, including those without valid Canadian Pest Control Act numbers. For safety reasons, however, all containers must be labelled.
"Please make sure containers are leak-free and a pesticide name is written on every container," Hurst said. "If you no longer know what the pesticide is, label the container ‘pesticide unknown.'"
More information on the Saskatchewan Obsolete Pesticide Collection Campaign, including a list of collection locations and details on how to safely transport your pesticides, can be obtained from your farm supply dealer, by calling 1-416-622-9771, or by visiting http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/pesticidecollection.
For more information, contact:
Wayne Gosselin, Environmental Policy Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-6586
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Deal with weeds in the fall for a fresher spring
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
If Mother Nature has been good to you and your crops are largely in the bin, October is a good month to think about fall weed control.
Clark Brenzil, provincial specialist in weed control with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), says there should still be some time for control measures before the snow flies.
"The challenge that arises with producers harvesting larger acreages in fall is that, unless the weather co-operates, they may not get done until very close to freeze-up," he stated. "At that point, it may be too late for some perennial weeds. But this year we saw many crops come off in mid-summer, which may present some opportunities for fall weed control."
Brenzil says that, for some weeds like Canada thistle, which are fairly hearty in the face of cold weather, there may still be good opportunities if the plants are in good condition and there haven't been many hard frosts yet. "We should still have some reasonably warm temperatures, and there's still a chance for herbicide to be absorbed by the plant and moved to the roots and developing buds underground. But for other perennial weeds, like dandelion, herbicide applications generally need to occur before October to be successful."
According to Brenzil, much of a producer's approach to fall weed control depends on the types of weeds being targeted. "If you're looking at a perennial that is more sensitive to frost, control needs to take place earlier in the fall, either with a pre-harvest herbicide application, or after harvest before there has been too much frost damage," he said.
"For winter annual weeds, later is better since they only begin to germinate in mid-September, and control needs to take place as late in the fall as possible to control them effectively."
The advantages of fall weed control are obvious when spring comes and your fields are already well prepared for the season. "Research is showing that the earlier perennial and winter annual weeds are controlled, the greater the yield benefit to the following crop," Brenzil said.
"If the weeds are left there until just before seeding, they use moisture and nutrient resources that could otherwise be used by the crop in that critical early development stage. If you can't get it done this fall, plan to control winter annuals and dandelion as soon as possible next spring."
Brenzil says that post-harvest perennial weed control may be an option for many producers this year on fields where harvest took place earlier in the summer. "Perennial weeds that were cut off during harvest will have had the four to six weeks they need for adequate top re-growth in order to provide a good target for the herbicide spray."
According to Brenzil, a common mistake producers should avoid is trying to use the same herbicide rate they would with a pre-harvest treatment.
"Because the mature standing weeds were cut off with the crop, the leaf surface area of the weed that is able to intercept herbicide droplets has been reduced significantly," Brenzil stated. "Since there are a lower number of droplets for each plant, the concentration of herbicide in the spray solution must be increased by increasing the application rate in order to get the same amount of active ingredient into each plant. The rate needs to be right the first time because the first effect of glyphosate is to stop nutrient (and herbicide) movement in the plant, making additional herbicide applications ineffective."
Brenzil estimates there are at least 12 glyphosate formulations available now from six different manufacturers, plus glyphosate mixes with other herbicides. No matter which brand you choose, though, there are important things to remember when spraying the chemical.
"Glyphosate-based herbicides can be negatively affected by cold conditions. The ideal time to spray is when several days are expected to be bright and sunny, with temperatures in the 15 to 20 degree (Celsius) range and overnight lows no less than five degrees (Celsius). If glyphosate is sprayed under cool, cloudy conditions, there is a high risk of it getting trapped in the leaves and being unable to translocate to the roots," he noted.
"Die-back of perennial plants treated with glyphosate in the fall is not necessarily a good predictor of control come next spring. If glyphosate is sprayed on a day when sugars are being rapidly moved to the roots, the plant may not show signs of death this fall, but will not emerge next spring either, and that is the goal of the exercise."
Because of the cooler temperatures in mid- to late October, glyphosate may not be the most appropriate herbicide for winter annual control in late fall, and should be saved for next spring. Winter annual weeds such as stinkweed, flixweed, whitlow-grass, pygmyweed and shepherd's purse can be effectively controlled just before freeze-up using a light rate of 2,4-D (0.2 to 0.28 millilitres per acre of 600 grams-per-litre formulation).
Other problem winter annual weeds, like narrow-leaved hawk's-beard, should be left alone until being treated with glyphosate early in the spring. Not only is 2,4-D ineffective on hawk's-beard, but it injures the plant enough that it makes the glyphosate applied the next spring ineffective, as well.
More information and advice on fall weed control can be found on the SAF website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/, or by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
For more information, contact:
Clark Brenzil, Provincial Specialist, Weed Control
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-4673
E-mail: cbrenzil@agr.gov.sk.ca
If Mother Nature has been good to you and your crops are largely in the bin, October is a good month to think about fall weed control.
Clark Brenzil, provincial specialist in weed control with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), says there should still be some time for control measures before the snow flies.
"The challenge that arises with producers harvesting larger acreages in fall is that, unless the weather co-operates, they may not get done until very close to freeze-up," he stated. "At that point, it may be too late for some perennial weeds. But this year we saw many crops come off in mid-summer, which may present some opportunities for fall weed control."
Brenzil says that, for some weeds like Canada thistle, which are fairly hearty in the face of cold weather, there may still be good opportunities if the plants are in good condition and there haven't been many hard frosts yet. "We should still have some reasonably warm temperatures, and there's still a chance for herbicide to be absorbed by the plant and moved to the roots and developing buds underground. But for other perennial weeds, like dandelion, herbicide applications generally need to occur before October to be successful."
According to Brenzil, much of a producer's approach to fall weed control depends on the types of weeds being targeted. "If you're looking at a perennial that is more sensitive to frost, control needs to take place earlier in the fall, either with a pre-harvest herbicide application, or after harvest before there has been too much frost damage," he said.
"For winter annual weeds, later is better since they only begin to germinate in mid-September, and control needs to take place as late in the fall as possible to control them effectively."
The advantages of fall weed control are obvious when spring comes and your fields are already well prepared for the season. "Research is showing that the earlier perennial and winter annual weeds are controlled, the greater the yield benefit to the following crop," Brenzil said.
"If the weeds are left there until just before seeding, they use moisture and nutrient resources that could otherwise be used by the crop in that critical early development stage. If you can't get it done this fall, plan to control winter annuals and dandelion as soon as possible next spring."
Brenzil says that post-harvest perennial weed control may be an option for many producers this year on fields where harvest took place earlier in the summer. "Perennial weeds that were cut off during harvest will have had the four to six weeks they need for adequate top re-growth in order to provide a good target for the herbicide spray."
According to Brenzil, a common mistake producers should avoid is trying to use the same herbicide rate they would with a pre-harvest treatment.
"Because the mature standing weeds were cut off with the crop, the leaf surface area of the weed that is able to intercept herbicide droplets has been reduced significantly," Brenzil stated. "Since there are a lower number of droplets for each plant, the concentration of herbicide in the spray solution must be increased by increasing the application rate in order to get the same amount of active ingredient into each plant. The rate needs to be right the first time because the first effect of glyphosate is to stop nutrient (and herbicide) movement in the plant, making additional herbicide applications ineffective."
Brenzil estimates there are at least 12 glyphosate formulations available now from six different manufacturers, plus glyphosate mixes with other herbicides. No matter which brand you choose, though, there are important things to remember when spraying the chemical.
"Glyphosate-based herbicides can be negatively affected by cold conditions. The ideal time to spray is when several days are expected to be bright and sunny, with temperatures in the 15 to 20 degree (Celsius) range and overnight lows no less than five degrees (Celsius). If glyphosate is sprayed under cool, cloudy conditions, there is a high risk of it getting trapped in the leaves and being unable to translocate to the roots," he noted.
"Die-back of perennial plants treated with glyphosate in the fall is not necessarily a good predictor of control come next spring. If glyphosate is sprayed on a day when sugars are being rapidly moved to the roots, the plant may not show signs of death this fall, but will not emerge next spring either, and that is the goal of the exercise."
Because of the cooler temperatures in mid- to late October, glyphosate may not be the most appropriate herbicide for winter annual control in late fall, and should be saved for next spring. Winter annual weeds such as stinkweed, flixweed, whitlow-grass, pygmyweed and shepherd's purse can be effectively controlled just before freeze-up using a light rate of 2,4-D (0.2 to 0.28 millilitres per acre of 600 grams-per-litre formulation).
Other problem winter annual weeds, like narrow-leaved hawk's-beard, should be left alone until being treated with glyphosate early in the spring. Not only is 2,4-D ineffective on hawk's-beard, but it injures the plant enough that it makes the glyphosate applied the next spring ineffective, as well.
More information and advice on fall weed control can be found on the SAF website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/, or by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
For more information, contact:
Clark Brenzil, Provincial Specialist, Weed Control
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-4673
E-mail: cbrenzil@agr.gov.sk.ca
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Canola growers should beware of aster yellows
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
A disease that causes strange malformations is showing up in greater concentrations in this year's canola crop.
The disease is called "aster yellows," and it is caused by something called a phytoplasma - a micro-organism somewhere between a bacteria and a virus.
Penny Pearse, the Provincial Plant Disease Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, says, for the past six years, the incidence of aster yellows has been at trace levels of less than one per cent, but the number will be much higher this year, with some crops experiencing up to 10 per cent infection.
"We have received more reports of aster yellows in canola from both growers and agronomists, and it appears to be quite wide-spread across the province," she noted. "What makes this disease look so unique is that it causes malformations in the plant, so the plants are often taller, discoloured, and have malformed pods and flowers. The infection may look worse than it actually is, since the symptoms are so dramatic, so we recommend that growers do a count of infected and healthy plants to determine the actual incidence value."
Pearse says the phytoplasma causes the disease, but it needs a helping hand.
"A phytoplasma will not survive on its own, so it gets transferred from plant to plant by an insect vector. In this case, the most common vector is the aster leafhopper," she stated.
"When an insect feeds on an infected plant, it will pick up this pathogen and transfer it to healthy plants. So, in a year when we have more leafhoppers, we tend to see more aster yellows."
The damage done by aster yellows is complete and irreversible, with the yield loss dependent on the number of plants affected.
"Most of the diseases we have in Saskatchewan are caused by fungi, which can be controlled through the use of a fungicide. Whereas something like aster yellows, once it is in the plant, there is nothing you can do... the damage is done," Pearse said.
"We don't know a lot about this disease," she said. "Leafhoppers have been found to over-winter in Saskatchewan and can keep the phytoplasma alive from one season to the next. In addition, some of the perennial crops that we grow here - meaning crops with root systems that over-winter - offer a way for the pathogen to over-winter. Crops like echinacea and caraway are also at risk," Pearse stated.
A survey of canola fields was conducted this summer to look at aster yellows and other canola diseases. Aster yellows was present in all surveyed fields, ranging from trace levels to as high as 15 per cent infection. The overall average infection level in 2007 is approximately two per cent, which is similar to 2000's levels. It is likely that this summer's heat amplified the aster yellows symptoms. In addition, the phytoplasma multiplies more quickly in the plant under hot conditions.
For more information, check out the aster yellows fact sheet on the Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food website at http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/. It can be found in the "Production" section under "Disease."
For more information, contact:
Penny Pearse, Provincial Plant Disease Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-4671
A disease that causes strange malformations is showing up in greater concentrations in this year's canola crop.
The disease is called "aster yellows," and it is caused by something called a phytoplasma - a micro-organism somewhere between a bacteria and a virus.
Penny Pearse, the Provincial Plant Disease Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, says, for the past six years, the incidence of aster yellows has been at trace levels of less than one per cent, but the number will be much higher this year, with some crops experiencing up to 10 per cent infection.
"We have received more reports of aster yellows in canola from both growers and agronomists, and it appears to be quite wide-spread across the province," she noted. "What makes this disease look so unique is that it causes malformations in the plant, so the plants are often taller, discoloured, and have malformed pods and flowers. The infection may look worse than it actually is, since the symptoms are so dramatic, so we recommend that growers do a count of infected and healthy plants to determine the actual incidence value."
Pearse says the phytoplasma causes the disease, but it needs a helping hand.
"A phytoplasma will not survive on its own, so it gets transferred from plant to plant by an insect vector. In this case, the most common vector is the aster leafhopper," she stated.
"When an insect feeds on an infected plant, it will pick up this pathogen and transfer it to healthy plants. So, in a year when we have more leafhoppers, we tend to see more aster yellows."
The damage done by aster yellows is complete and irreversible, with the yield loss dependent on the number of plants affected.
"Most of the diseases we have in Saskatchewan are caused by fungi, which can be controlled through the use of a fungicide. Whereas something like aster yellows, once it is in the plant, there is nothing you can do... the damage is done," Pearse said.
"We don't know a lot about this disease," she said. "Leafhoppers have been found to over-winter in Saskatchewan and can keep the phytoplasma alive from one season to the next. In addition, some of the perennial crops that we grow here - meaning crops with root systems that over-winter - offer a way for the pathogen to over-winter. Crops like echinacea and caraway are also at risk," Pearse stated.
A survey of canola fields was conducted this summer to look at aster yellows and other canola diseases. Aster yellows was present in all surveyed fields, ranging from trace levels to as high as 15 per cent infection. The overall average infection level in 2007 is approximately two per cent, which is similar to 2000's levels. It is likely that this summer's heat amplified the aster yellows symptoms. In addition, the phytoplasma multiplies more quickly in the plant under hot conditions.
For more information, check out the aster yellows fact sheet on the Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food website at http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/. It can be found in the "Production" section under "Disease."
For more information, contact:
Penny Pearse, Provincial Plant Disease Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-4671
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How to avoid spray drift
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
As pre-harvest spraying gets underway, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon is reminding farmers to take precautions to avoid spray drift.
Dr. Tom Wolf says spray drift can cause considerable economic and environmental damage.
“The environment is a foremost concern for both the public and for farmers. We ask that they make sure that, when they do spray, they protect anything that is a non-target, whether it is another crop, a body of water or a shelterbelt. Some of the herbicides we use in pre-harvest can be quite detrimental to water sources or shelterbelts. One of the most common products, glyphosate, can in fact kill shelterbelts outright if it is not applied properly, so spray drift control is very important during a pre-harvest application,” said Wolf.
Wolf says there are a number of tools and tips to prevent spray drift, but the most effective tool is located under a ball cap – the spray operator.
“Ultimately, it is the operator who has to make the choice about whether to spray or not and about how the spray will be applied,” explains Wolf, “but beyond that, weather is also a critical factor.”
Wolf says ideal conditions are a sunny day, with a slight breeze, and at least a couple hours after sunrise.
The fact that a slight breeze is ideal may seem counter-intuitive, but Wolf says there are benefits to a breeze.
“Most people look for calm days, but when it is calm, sooner or later there will be some wind and it will be difficult to predict what direction it will come from or when it will come. So, in order to prevent spray drift is it better to have a predictable wind direction,” said Wolf.
The other key factor in ideal conditions is to spray at least a couple of hours after sunrise. Wolf says that is to avoid temperature inversions.
“Temperature inversion occurs on most summer nights. It is a calm and stable atmosphere that will see any spray drift hang over the crop. That spray drift will stay concentrated in a stable atmosphere. That means it does not get diluted. So, when it does move off target, which it eventually will, it remains quite potent and can cause a great deal of harm. That’s why we want a slight breeze during spraying. The breeze disperses that spray so it actually mixes in the atmosphere so that the spray drift causes minimal harm,” explains Wolf.
However, Wolf concedes that ideal conditions can’t always be found.
“Let’s assume you are in a situation where you just simply have to spray. There are still a number of ways you can bring yourself back into a safe application scenario. One of those ways is to use the proper droplet size. Pre-harvest application is very well suited to the use of low drift nozzles such as an air induced nozzle. When you move to those nozzles, you can reduce your drift from a conventional spray by over 70 per cent. That is a very significant reduction,” said Wolf.
For more information on spray drift, visit the following websites:
* http://res2.agr.gc.ca/saskatoon/result/letter9703-lettre9703_e.htm
* http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/environment/cps0397.asp
* http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/production/faq_choosingnozzles.asp
For more information, contact:
Tom Wolf, Research Scientist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Telephone: 956-7635
E-mail: wolft@agr.gc.ca
As pre-harvest spraying gets underway, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon is reminding farmers to take precautions to avoid spray drift.
Dr. Tom Wolf says spray drift can cause considerable economic and environmental damage.
“The environment is a foremost concern for both the public and for farmers. We ask that they make sure that, when they do spray, they protect anything that is a non-target, whether it is another crop, a body of water or a shelterbelt. Some of the herbicides we use in pre-harvest can be quite detrimental to water sources or shelterbelts. One of the most common products, glyphosate, can in fact kill shelterbelts outright if it is not applied properly, so spray drift control is very important during a pre-harvest application,” said Wolf.
Wolf says there are a number of tools and tips to prevent spray drift, but the most effective tool is located under a ball cap – the spray operator.
“Ultimately, it is the operator who has to make the choice about whether to spray or not and about how the spray will be applied,” explains Wolf, “but beyond that, weather is also a critical factor.”
Wolf says ideal conditions are a sunny day, with a slight breeze, and at least a couple hours after sunrise.
The fact that a slight breeze is ideal may seem counter-intuitive, but Wolf says there are benefits to a breeze.
“Most people look for calm days, but when it is calm, sooner or later there will be some wind and it will be difficult to predict what direction it will come from or when it will come. So, in order to prevent spray drift is it better to have a predictable wind direction,” said Wolf.
The other key factor in ideal conditions is to spray at least a couple of hours after sunrise. Wolf says that is to avoid temperature inversions.
“Temperature inversion occurs on most summer nights. It is a calm and stable atmosphere that will see any spray drift hang over the crop. That spray drift will stay concentrated in a stable atmosphere. That means it does not get diluted. So, when it does move off target, which it eventually will, it remains quite potent and can cause a great deal of harm. That’s why we want a slight breeze during spraying. The breeze disperses that spray so it actually mixes in the atmosphere so that the spray drift causes minimal harm,” explains Wolf.
However, Wolf concedes that ideal conditions can’t always be found.
“Let’s assume you are in a situation where you just simply have to spray. There are still a number of ways you can bring yourself back into a safe application scenario. One of those ways is to use the proper droplet size. Pre-harvest application is very well suited to the use of low drift nozzles such as an air induced nozzle. When you move to those nozzles, you can reduce your drift from a conventional spray by over 70 per cent. That is a very significant reduction,” said Wolf.
For more information on spray drift, visit the following websites:
* http://res2.agr.gc.ca/saskatoon/result/letter9703-lettre9703_e.htm
* http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/environment/cps0397.asp
* http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/production/faq_choosingnozzles.asp
For more information, contact:
Tom Wolf, Research Scientist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Telephone: 956-7635
E-mail: wolft@agr.gc.ca
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The sticker is in the mail
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
There is another good reason for Saskatchewan producers to keep an eye out for a letter from their grain company. It may not be as exciting as a grain cheque, but the “Canola Ready” sticker arriving in the mail could save them a lot of money.
At issue is the insecticide malathion.
Chris Anderson, the Canola Council of Canada’s program manager for crop production, says storage bins treated with malathion can’t be used to store canola for six to 12 months after its application.
“Malathion is most often used for insect control in cereal crops, but it’s not allowed for use in canola. Sometimes farmers treat their bins thinking they will be storing cereals later in the year – but then they store canola, or can’t remember which bin was treated and which bin was not,” Anderson said.
“The sticker we created is a helpful reminder. When they have set aside a bin for canola, they can put the sticker on it so that they can easily identify or remember which one they intended to use for the oilseed.”
The stickers are timely, since it’s the time of year when many producers begin getting the bins ready for the coming harvest. This year has also seen a record number of acres seeded to canola, meaning that there may be some first-time growers of the crop who might not be aware of the strict rules regarding malathion.
A simple oversight can be costly.
Anderson says that malathion residue detected in canola exported out of Canada could cost the industry, including farmers, millions of dollars in lost business.
“Every country sets limits on pesticide residues, and exceeding those limits will result in rejected shipments and increased testing requirements,” he stated. “For example, Japan enforces strict food safety laws that prohibit the entry of any commodity exhibiting pesticide residues above the allowable limit.”
Anderson says most stored canola doesn’t need an insecticide treatment anyway, because insects will not feed on sound, healthy canola seed. “However,” he noted, “if canola is in poor condition, moisture-loving fungus feeders such as foreign grain beetles, psocids and mites will invade.
“The presence of these insects means it is time to condition your canola through aeration or drying; it does not mean it’s time to apply an insecticide such as malathion.”
Anderson says that growers are better off focusing on preventative measures. He says canola that is reasonably free of chaff, other seeds and foreign material should be stored in clean bins and kept below 15 degrees Celsius and eight per cent moisture to keep it free of insects.
For more information, contact:
Chris Anderson, Crop Production Manager
Canola Council of Canada
Phone: (204) 982-2108
Website: www.canola-council.org
There is another good reason for Saskatchewan producers to keep an eye out for a letter from their grain company. It may not be as exciting as a grain cheque, but the “Canola Ready” sticker arriving in the mail could save them a lot of money.
At issue is the insecticide malathion.
Chris Anderson, the Canola Council of Canada’s program manager for crop production, says storage bins treated with malathion can’t be used to store canola for six to 12 months after its application.
“Malathion is most often used for insect control in cereal crops, but it’s not allowed for use in canola. Sometimes farmers treat their bins thinking they will be storing cereals later in the year – but then they store canola, or can’t remember which bin was treated and which bin was not,” Anderson said.
“The sticker we created is a helpful reminder. When they have set aside a bin for canola, they can put the sticker on it so that they can easily identify or remember which one they intended to use for the oilseed.”
The stickers are timely, since it’s the time of year when many producers begin getting the bins ready for the coming harvest. This year has also seen a record number of acres seeded to canola, meaning that there may be some first-time growers of the crop who might not be aware of the strict rules regarding malathion.
A simple oversight can be costly.
Anderson says that malathion residue detected in canola exported out of Canada could cost the industry, including farmers, millions of dollars in lost business.
“Every country sets limits on pesticide residues, and exceeding those limits will result in rejected shipments and increased testing requirements,” he stated. “For example, Japan enforces strict food safety laws that prohibit the entry of any commodity exhibiting pesticide residues above the allowable limit.”
Anderson says most stored canola doesn’t need an insecticide treatment anyway, because insects will not feed on sound, healthy canola seed. “However,” he noted, “if canola is in poor condition, moisture-loving fungus feeders such as foreign grain beetles, psocids and mites will invade.
“The presence of these insects means it is time to condition your canola through aeration or drying; it does not mean it’s time to apply an insecticide such as malathion.”
Anderson says that growers are better off focusing on preventative measures. He says canola that is reasonably free of chaff, other seeds and foreign material should be stored in clean bins and kept below 15 degrees Celsius and eight per cent moisture to keep it free of insects.
For more information, contact:
Chris Anderson, Crop Production Manager
Canola Council of Canada
Phone: (204) 982-2108
Website: www.canola-council.org
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Think of bees before you spray
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
As pesticide spraying hits full swing in Saskatchewan, an expert in apiculture is reminding producers to keep pollinators in mind before they spray.
While Saskatchewan has not seen the kind of bee colony collapses that have impacted bee keepers in other provinces and U.S. states, the damage from insecticide application can take a toll on both honey production and pollination benefits.
Apiculturist John Gruszka with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food says timing is a big factor.
“We are most concerned about pesticide application in July and August, when our honey crop is being produced and our colonies are at maximum population,” he said. “To lose those insects will have a direct and severe impact on honey production.”
Gruszka says the resulting loss in production is worse than most would think.
“If the damage is severe enough, you may lose the entire field population, and it will be two weeks before the next bees are ready to take over. If this happens in the middle of July, you have lost potentially 50 or 60 pounds of honey production, and that is significant,” he noted.
Gruszka concedes farmers have to be able to control pests as the need arises, but a few simple adjustments can help limit the risk of accidentally killing bees.
“What farmers can do is spray late in the evening or early in the morning when the majority of the bees are in the hive. They can also use insecticides that have the least residuals. The worst, of course, is when spraying takes place in the middle of the afternoon.
It is important to talk to the beekeeper if you anticipate the need to carry out control measures for crop insect pests. With some advance warning, the beekeeper can work with the crop producer to minimize damage to the bee operation.
Saskatchewan produces some of the highest quality honey in the world. The province’s northern location and long, warm summer days, coupled with its skilled bee keepers, help to produce more honey per hive than any jurisdiction in Canada.
The province has about 1400 beekeepers and approximately 100,000 hives. On average the Province produces about 18.5 million pounds of honey annually.
In addition to honey production, the bee industry is important for pollination of flowering crops whether that is a crop like canola or specialty crops like borage, fruit and vegetables.
For more information, contact:
John Gruszka, Provincial Specialist – Apiculture
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 953-2790
E-mail: jgruszka@agr.gov.sk.ca
As pesticide spraying hits full swing in Saskatchewan, an expert in apiculture is reminding producers to keep pollinators in mind before they spray.
While Saskatchewan has not seen the kind of bee colony collapses that have impacted bee keepers in other provinces and U.S. states, the damage from insecticide application can take a toll on both honey production and pollination benefits.
Apiculturist John Gruszka with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food says timing is a big factor.
“We are most concerned about pesticide application in July and August, when our honey crop is being produced and our colonies are at maximum population,” he said. “To lose those insects will have a direct and severe impact on honey production.”
Gruszka says the resulting loss in production is worse than most would think.
“If the damage is severe enough, you may lose the entire field population, and it will be two weeks before the next bees are ready to take over. If this happens in the middle of July, you have lost potentially 50 or 60 pounds of honey production, and that is significant,” he noted.
Gruszka concedes farmers have to be able to control pests as the need arises, but a few simple adjustments can help limit the risk of accidentally killing bees.
“What farmers can do is spray late in the evening or early in the morning when the majority of the bees are in the hive. They can also use insecticides that have the least residuals. The worst, of course, is when spraying takes place in the middle of the afternoon.
It is important to talk to the beekeeper if you anticipate the need to carry out control measures for crop insect pests. With some advance warning, the beekeeper can work with the crop producer to minimize damage to the bee operation.
Saskatchewan produces some of the highest quality honey in the world. The province’s northern location and long, warm summer days, coupled with its skilled bee keepers, help to produce more honey per hive than any jurisdiction in Canada.
The province has about 1400 beekeepers and approximately 100,000 hives. On average the Province produces about 18.5 million pounds of honey annually.
In addition to honey production, the bee industry is important for pollination of flowering crops whether that is a crop like canola or specialty crops like borage, fruit and vegetables.
For more information, contact:
John Gruszka, Provincial Specialist – Apiculture
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 953-2790
E-mail: jgruszka@agr.gov.sk.ca
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Monsanto offers scholarships for rural graduates
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Monsanto Canada is offering some help to graduating students from across Canada who plan to pursue post-secondary studies pertaining to agriculture or forestry.
The 2007 Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship Program will award an estimated 50 scholarships valued at $1,500 apiece to students entering their first year of post-secondary education at a recognized Canadian educational institution.
“The scholarships falls under our corporate giving program, which is really meant to help out the communities and the people who help make our business successful,” said Trish Jordan in Monsanto’s Public Affairs office. “Because we’re an agricultural business, and we’re successful when farmers are successful, that’s what we’ve chosen to focus on in our giving program.”
In order to qualify, students must come from a family farm or have a forestry background, and must have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership capabilities, and a keen interest and involvement in their rural community.
“We’re looking at kids from rural areas or from farm families who actually want to explore a career in agriculture,” Jordan said. “That doesn’t mean they necessarily have to go into farming. There are a wide variety of opportunities in the agricultural sector, from things like business, marketing and accounting, to science, agronomy and agricultural engineering.”
Monsanto has been offering the scholarship program for 16 years. Over that time, Jordan says about $825,000 has been provided to deserving students across Canada.
“The scholarship program falls into one of our top priorities, which is science and agricultural education,” she stated. “That’s obviously the foundation of our business. We feel that by encouraging kids to explore careers in science and/or agriculture, ultimately that’s going to benefit not only our company, but the industry as a whole.”
Jordan added that Saskatchewan students tend to do very well under the initiative. “Historically, I would say Saskatchewan has been the highest recipient of our scholarships. There are a lot of kids from the province who want to explore agriculture, and the University of Saskatchewan has a very strong program.”
Students interested in pursuing a Monsanto scholarship need to submit a completed application, including an essay outlining what area of agriculture or forestry they would like to work in and why.
Application forms will be distributed to high schools, 4-H clubs, provincial and federal agriculture offices, farm retail outlets and seed companies. Forms are also available from Monsanto’s CustomCare line at 1-800-667-4944 or can be accessed online at www.monsanto.ca.
Applications must be postmarked no later than July 16. They will be reviewed by an independent panel of judges, and winning entries will be announced in September 2007.
For more information, contact:
Trish Jordan, Public Affairs
Monsanto Canada
Phone: (204) 985-1005
Monsanto Canada is offering some help to graduating students from across Canada who plan to pursue post-secondary studies pertaining to agriculture or forestry.
The 2007 Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship Program will award an estimated 50 scholarships valued at $1,500 apiece to students entering their first year of post-secondary education at a recognized Canadian educational institution.
“The scholarships falls under our corporate giving program, which is really meant to help out the communities and the people who help make our business successful,” said Trish Jordan in Monsanto’s Public Affairs office. “Because we’re an agricultural business, and we’re successful when farmers are successful, that’s what we’ve chosen to focus on in our giving program.”
In order to qualify, students must come from a family farm or have a forestry background, and must have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership capabilities, and a keen interest and involvement in their rural community.
“We’re looking at kids from rural areas or from farm families who actually want to explore a career in agriculture,” Jordan said. “That doesn’t mean they necessarily have to go into farming. There are a wide variety of opportunities in the agricultural sector, from things like business, marketing and accounting, to science, agronomy and agricultural engineering.”
Monsanto has been offering the scholarship program for 16 years. Over that time, Jordan says about $825,000 has been provided to deserving students across Canada.
“The scholarship program falls into one of our top priorities, which is science and agricultural education,” she stated. “That’s obviously the foundation of our business. We feel that by encouraging kids to explore careers in science and/or agriculture, ultimately that’s going to benefit not only our company, but the industry as a whole.”
Jordan added that Saskatchewan students tend to do very well under the initiative. “Historically, I would say Saskatchewan has been the highest recipient of our scholarships. There are a lot of kids from the province who want to explore agriculture, and the University of Saskatchewan has a very strong program.”
Students interested in pursuing a Monsanto scholarship need to submit a completed application, including an essay outlining what area of agriculture or forestry they would like to work in and why.
Application forms will be distributed to high schools, 4-H clubs, provincial and federal agriculture offices, farm retail outlets and seed companies. Forms are also available from Monsanto’s CustomCare line at 1-800-667-4944 or can be accessed online at www.monsanto.ca.
Applications must be postmarked no later than July 16. They will be reviewed by an independent panel of judges, and winning entries will be announced in September 2007.
For more information, contact:
Trish Jordan, Public Affairs
Monsanto Canada
Phone: (204) 985-1005
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Provincial pest control program to be administered by PCAB
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
The Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification (ADD) Boards for Saskatchewan Inc., or PCAB, will be given responsibility for administering pest control efforts across the province under a new arrangement with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF).
The “Fieldworker Program,” a co-ordinated pest control effort, began in Saskatchewan in 1972. Grants were provided to ADD Boards and rural municipalities, which worked together to organize control initiatives at the local level. Pest Control Officers (PCOs) were employed by the ADD Boards and RMs to deliver services on the ground and to help property owners develop effective control methods.
As the provincial body representing ADD Boards, PCAB has long played an important role in program delivery, maintaining Pest Control Co-ordinators who focused on creating a more uniform pest control initiative across the province.
For its part, SAF administered the Fieldworker Program, including the designation of grants. However, in order to facilitate improved program delivery, streamline the funding process, and encourage education and awareness, SAF has now given PCAB the opportunity to take over the management of the entire initiative.
According to Tracy Wickstrom, PCAB’s Pest Control Co-ordinator, the move will allow the Council to establish a better line of communication with ADD Boards, RMs and PCOs without disrupting the delivery of a program that has been very beneficial across the province.
“PCAB will handle both administration and delivery, rather than them being separated,” she said. “From the average producer’s perspective, they won’t notice a big change in how the program is delivered. They will still look to their local Pest Control Officers as their primary point of contact.
“What it will do is change the contact between the ADD Boards or RMs and SAF. Basically, their project applications will no longer be going to SAF, they will be coming directly to PCAB.”
Wickstrom expects the streamlining will hold a number of benefits for overall pest control efforts in Saskatchewan, simplifying the process and reducing the number of channels through which program stakeholders need to navigate.
“It facilitates our communication amongst our ADD Boards and PCOs as to the efforts they’re undertaking, and enables us to be in better contact with them on a regular basis about their programs and their needs,” she stated.
PCAB is a non-profit agriculture organization that focuses on timely, effective delivery of agriculture programs to Saskatchewan producers. It is committed to working with both government and industry to ensure a co-operative, efficient approach to agricultural program delivery.
PCAB is the provincial level of the ADD system. Each of the 296 RMs in Saskatchewan has an ADD Committee, from which a delegate is selected to serve on one of 41 District ADD Boards. Each District is then represented on one of six Regional Councils. PCAB’s board of directors consists of two delegates chosen from each Regional Council. This structure ensures a strong connection to grassroots agriculture.
For more information on the organization or provincial pest control efforts, please visit www.saskpcab.com, or call (306) 955-5477.
For more information, contact:
Tracy Wickstrom, Pest Control Co-ordinator
Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification Boards
Phone: (306) 955-5477
E-mail: farmstewardship@saskpcab.com
The Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification (ADD) Boards for Saskatchewan Inc., or PCAB, will be given responsibility for administering pest control efforts across the province under a new arrangement with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF).
The “Fieldworker Program,” a co-ordinated pest control effort, began in Saskatchewan in 1972. Grants were provided to ADD Boards and rural municipalities, which worked together to organize control initiatives at the local level. Pest Control Officers (PCOs) were employed by the ADD Boards and RMs to deliver services on the ground and to help property owners develop effective control methods.
As the provincial body representing ADD Boards, PCAB has long played an important role in program delivery, maintaining Pest Control Co-ordinators who focused on creating a more uniform pest control initiative across the province.
For its part, SAF administered the Fieldworker Program, including the designation of grants. However, in order to facilitate improved program delivery, streamline the funding process, and encourage education and awareness, SAF has now given PCAB the opportunity to take over the management of the entire initiative.
According to Tracy Wickstrom, PCAB’s Pest Control Co-ordinator, the move will allow the Council to establish a better line of communication with ADD Boards, RMs and PCOs without disrupting the delivery of a program that has been very beneficial across the province.
“PCAB will handle both administration and delivery, rather than them being separated,” she said. “From the average producer’s perspective, they won’t notice a big change in how the program is delivered. They will still look to their local Pest Control Officers as their primary point of contact.
“What it will do is change the contact between the ADD Boards or RMs and SAF. Basically, their project applications will no longer be going to SAF, they will be coming directly to PCAB.”
Wickstrom expects the streamlining will hold a number of benefits for overall pest control efforts in Saskatchewan, simplifying the process and reducing the number of channels through which program stakeholders need to navigate.
“It facilitates our communication amongst our ADD Boards and PCOs as to the efforts they’re undertaking, and enables us to be in better contact with them on a regular basis about their programs and their needs,” she stated.
PCAB is a non-profit agriculture organization that focuses on timely, effective delivery of agriculture programs to Saskatchewan producers. It is committed to working with both government and industry to ensure a co-operative, efficient approach to agricultural program delivery.
PCAB is the provincial level of the ADD system. Each of the 296 RMs in Saskatchewan has an ADD Committee, from which a delegate is selected to serve on one of 41 District ADD Boards. Each District is then represented on one of six Regional Councils. PCAB’s board of directors consists of two delegates chosen from each Regional Council. This structure ensures a strong connection to grassroots agriculture.
For more information on the organization or provincial pest control efforts, please visit www.saskpcab.com, or call (306) 955-5477.
For more information, contact:
Tracy Wickstrom, Pest Control Co-ordinator
Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification Boards
Phone: (306) 955-5477
E-mail: farmstewardship@saskpcab.com
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