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Video: Spread of FHB in Western Canada

June 2, 2016 - From 2003 to 2015, the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has been tracking the percentage of Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) and the severity of damage to Canada Western Red Spring wheat grown in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta crop districts.

To demonstrate the severity of this disease, this animated video shows results from the CGC's Harvest Sample Program. The video demonstrates how Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is increasing at a rapid rate in Western Canada.

As shown, samples containing FDK in Manitoba peaked in 2008 at 51 per cent and up. A similar image is shown for Saskatchewan in 2012, followed by Alberta's peak in 2014.

According to Bruce Carriere, president of Discovery Seed Labs, growers can take steps to protect their crops by using a seed treatment and seed lots with low levels of contaminants.

Glen Forster of BASF Canada also encourages growers to protect their yield potential through a preventative fungicide treatment.

"Wheat growers that applied Caramba fungicide saw a nine bushel per acre advantage over untreated acres in our grower applied trials over the years," said Forster.

June 7, 2016  By Top Crop Manager