Crop Pest Update

Aug 20, 2021

Summary

Insects: Grasshopper levels continue to be a concern in some areas. Diamondback moth has been a concern in canola in some areas, with reports this week of high levels in some fields in the Central region. Lygus bug levels continue to be monitored in some later maturing canola, as well as faba beans, although many of the remaining canola fields will be too mature for Lygus bugs to be a concern. Flea beetle levels are high in some canola fields, resulting in some insecticide applications. Spider mites in soybeans are noticeable in some areas.

Diseases: More hot, dry weather – not conditions that are conducive to disease infection. However, such weather may reveal disease issues that have been percolating for some time, whose symptoms only become apparent later in the season, especially where moisture stress is a concern.

Weeds: Harvest continues and green, actively growing weeds are a problem in some fields. Continue to scout for noxious weeds – infestations of waterhemp have been newly found in the RM of Stuartburn and La Broquerie. Waterhemp is a Tier 1 Noxious weed that must be destroyed. Other weeds of concern are those in the Parsley family - water hemlock and other closely related species. Many members of this family have toxic properties, particularly water hemlock which is extremely poisonous to people and livestock.

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