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Crop Pest Update - 2 Aug 2021

Summary

Insects: Grasshopper populations are quite variable, but continue to be a problem in some areas. Higher levels are occurring in pastures in some areas, as well as cereal crops. As some preferred hosts mature or are cut populations move around, and may move into other crops. Some grasshopper control in canola has been reported. Diamondback moth has been at economic levels in some canola fields in the Eastern and Interlake regions. Spider mites are starting to be noticed on some soybeans in the Interlake region.

Weeds: Combines are starting to roll across the province, for fields that have perennial weed issues preharvest control using a systemic herbicide is an option. For other fields where quicker weed and crop drydown is wanted to facilitate harvest and storage, desiccation may be desired. Grain from crops treated with preharvest products may have market access concerns, you need to consult all potential buyers before using any preharvest product. If using generic products refer to the specific label to determine if that product is registered for the crop you are spraying.

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Alberta Honey: A Day at Molenkamp Honey Farms

Video: Alberta Honey: A Day at Molenkamp Honey Farms

When was the last time you read the label on your honey?

We spent a day at Molenkamp Honey Farms with Michael Molenkamp, who has been keeping bees for 17 seasons and runs three to four thousand hives. In mid-September, he was finishing treatments and getting his bees ready for winter, and he walked us through how Alberta honey gets made.

Alberta has just 150 commercial beekeepers running 300,000 colonies, and together they produce 40% of Canada’s honey. Long summer days and golden canola fields give Alberta honey a light flavour that’s hard to match anywhere else.

Molenkamp calls Alberta beekeepers some of the most resilient farmers he knows. There’s plenty of Alberta honey to go around, but a lot on our shelves isn’t from here, so his ask is simple. Give the label a second look and choose honey made by Alberta beekeepers, or buy straight from a beekeeper near you.