News Harvesting Insect Pests
Warm, dry conditions on the Prairies speed crop growth

Manitoba

Harvest has started in fall rye in all areas except the Northwest. Some winter wheat and pea fields in the Interlake region have been combined.

All crops over the two weeks preceding Aug. 4 have experienced rapid growth and development, encouraged by warm, sunny weather. Many parts of the province would benefit from a gentle rain to help with grain formation in corn, sunflowers and soybeans.

Grasshoppers are a concern in all areas and in all crops, forages and pasture included. Some fields have already been treated to prevent economic crop damage. With higher grasshopper populations and other insect population building, it’s recommended to monitor your fields closely and communicate with your pesticide retailer to ensure availability, when and if they are required.

A tornado that touched down near Virden on Friday resulted in damage to nearby field crops and farm equipment.

For the full crop report, with regional breakdowns, click here.

Saskatchewan

As of Aug. 4, harvest operations had just begun in some parts of Saskatchewan. There are reports of farmers desiccating pulse crops, or planning to do so in the near future.

There was minimal rainfall in the week prior to Aug. 4. This has resulted in reduced topsoil moisture across the province, though the majority of soil remains at adequate moisture levels. Cereal and pulse crops at the seed-filling stages could use more rain.

The majority of crop damage this week was due to heat, dry conditions and wind. Many parts of the province had high day and nighttime temperatures and farmers have reported heat blasting in canola and rapid progression through flowering and ripening stages.

There was also damage reported by insects such as grasshoppers, bertha armyworms, aphids and diamondback moths, as well as diseases.

For the full crop report, visit the Saskatchewan Ag website.