Crop Production News 2024 - Issue #6

Crop Production Update

• Pea aphids are being found in various pulse and alfalfa crops in southeast Saskatchewan. To scout pulse crops, look for aphids between 50-75 per cent flowering and consider spraying insecticides when populations exceed economic thresholds. For seed alfalfa, this is 100 to 200 individuals per 180 degree sweep with an insect sweep net. For peas, the economic threshold is two to three aphids per 20 cm plant tip, or 9 to 12 aphids per sweep at flowering. This assumes a selling price of $5.71 per bushel and an average control cost of $6.73 to $9.25 per acre.
• The recent hot conditions have reduced field moisture and accelerated crop development. Crops are currently looking good across the province. However, small amounts of rain in the coming weeks would greatly benefit crops.
• Canola development and staging varies based on regional conditions. Some canola is mid bloom while many canola crops are done flowering, with pods forming and seeds filling.
• High numbers of wheat midge are being caught in traps around the province. Insecticides are a good control option prior to wheat flowering. After flowering, spraying is not recommended. Learn more on our wheat midge webpage.

Crop Protection Lab

During the previous two weeks the Crop Protection Lab (CPL) received 19 plant disease samples for diagnosis, as well as 76 Elm tree samples that are being tested for Dutch Elm Disease (DED). If you have a tree that you suspect has DED, get it tested! Sample submission guidelines and forms can be found on our website.

The plant disease samples submitted to the lab have been occurring on barley, peas, lentils, durum and chickpea. Testing is being completed on some of these samples currently. In addition, the lab is diagnosing many samples as part of the provincial pest surveys. Preliminary results suggest that root health issues are affecting many crops, with both fungal pathogens and oomycetes causing the diseases, the latter being found in most pulse submissions. Some cereal crops have been submitted with signs of insect feeding, diagnosing these samples is difficult as feeding damage can be visually assessed but the insect causing the damage is often not present. If you have signs of insect feeding on your crop and would like a diagnosis, be sure to send in some insects found in the crop, too! All sample submissions to the CPL should adhere to the sample submission guidelines.

In this issue:

Testing for Herbicide Resistance: Make a plan this summer to collect weed seed samples for herbicide resistance testing.

The Importance of Weed Control in Commercial Fruit Production: Weeds need to be controlled when establishing fruit crops; learn tips to set your orchard up for success.

Read the Crop Report

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