Cutworms, grasshoppers, flea beetles and bertha armyworm are all on top of the watch list for 2019, as numbers were higher in 2018. All four overwinter well in Manitoba provided there’s enough insulation for them.
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Five insect pests for Manitoba farmers to watch
Top four pests to watch in canola
There are a lot of insects out there, but damage-causing pests are actually in the minority. Even a few “bad” bugs can be beneficial. “Crops can tolerate a certain level,” said Keith Gabert, agronomy specialist, for the Canola Council of Canada. “And even in some cases, it can benefit from a little bit of insect[...]
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Seven beneficial insects on your farm
When making crop production management decisions, consider beneficial insect populations. These harmless bugs can provide adequate control if their populations are high enough. Some beneficial insects are hard to identify, but with some basic training producers should be able to spot them in the field. The following beneficial insects are found in most crops in[...]
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Growing canola in a dry year
With last year’s dry weather and predictions that this year will be similar across much of the Prairies, there’s concern that this might not be the best year for canola. With moisture levels are already low, and coming out of a year where crops did well by using what was available in the soil profile,[...]
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Four things to consider in a new canola variety
Every year, some 43,000 western Canadian growers choose a canola seed variety. And every year they have more options to choose from. Here’s what you need to consider when choosing a variety for your farm.
Six tips for managing wheat stem sawfly
As with most pests, wheat stem sawfly populations rise and fall, depending on weather and the presence of natural predators. Economic losses arise when wheat stem sawfly larvae feed inside the stem. While some of those losses are due to decreased seed weight, much of it occurs when the stems are cut and the plant[...]
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Five risk situations for stored canola
Canola growers in Western Canada often have to deal with rising temperatures in canola bins. The reasons for heating can vary, and most situations can be avoided by regularly checking bins. To further reduce the risk of spoilage, keep in mind these tips provided by Greg Sekulic, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada.
From birth to beef: the story of Buis Beef
Like most producers coming out of BSE, Joanne and Mike Buis knew they had to make changes to their feedlot operation. As third-generation farmers, the couple and their families have been raising beef in Chatham-Kent for over 75 years. Over the years, though, the operation has seen significant change. “To make cow-calf work in this[...]
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Grazing Prior style
Tim Prior knows intensive grazing pays in Ontario
Prior has been using intensive grazing on his 90-acre farm, Grazing Meadows in Brussels, Ont., for over 15 years now. His cattle rotationally graze on 30 meadows, located along the laneway, using a leader-follower system. Stock is shifted daily, giving each paddock up to 30 days of rest and recovery. Each paddock is about 1.5[...]
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Milk goats and beef fit together
Cow-calf producer Brian Pelleboer and his wife, Joan, were hit hard by BSE, taking a financial hit that amounted to a quarter-million dollars. It took them five years to recover. The point is, though, that they did recover. Beef farming, it would seem, is about resilience. It’s about bouncing back, and making the most of[...]
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