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Updates
Clubroot, Fusarium and Wheat Midge Survey Locations and Results
In 2010, the M.D. of Wainwright Agricultural Fieldman James Schwindt, and his assistant Aimee Wonsik, completed numerous provincial surveys. Three of these surveys are noteworthy for area farmers; Clubroot of Canola, Fusarium of Cereal Crops, and Wheatmidge of wheatfields within municipal boundaries.
Clubroot
In August, James Schwindt located and GPS'd 39 random canola locations across the municipality. All 39 locations had no visually detectable symptoms of Clubroot. Each location had 2 separate inspection points, for a better perspective of the field. The majority of the inspection points were at approaches or corners into the field entrance. The reason behind this strategy of utilizing entrance points is because Clubroot usually is noticed at field entrances where machinery enters into and comes in contact with the soil. Clubrot is spread by soil movement from machinery (from dirt traveling field to field) so therefore the entrance is a very high probability spot for infection. It is to be noted that at every location, disposable footware covers and high sanitary precautions were utilized to prevent the potential spread of infection.
Fusarium
In October, James Schwindt and Aimee Wonsik randomly GPS'd 18 wheat field sample locations. At each location, 100 samples of wheat stubble (bottom node to root ball) were dug up, dried and submitted for Fusarium testing. This method of testing evaluates the DNA of the plant for Fusarium infection (the same as wheat head sample or individual kernel samples). So far, the municipal office has not received sample result information (however this information will be available by the end of January, look for results in the March newsletter). This survey was part of a provincial wide research, to see if the common infection areas have increased from previous years. Even though the M.D. of Wainwright is a dryer region and not under irrigation, Fusarium still has the potential to infect our fields and contaminate our municipal farming practices. Continue to be vigilant when purchasing seed, always ask for a Fusarium test, always test your bin run seed for Fusarium; do not take chances when the outcome of potential future losses far outweigh the short term, cost-cutting savings.
Wheat Midge
In September, Aimee Wonsik randomly chose 9 wheat field stubble locations across the municipality. These locations were chosen based on predominate farmland areas, where wheat midge has been a problem in the past, or could potentially become a problem by wind travels from hot spots in Saskatchewan. The samples consisted of 10"x6" soil sample cores per field. The sample is submitted into the laboratory where the soil is washed away from the sample, leaving the parasite larval cocoons (as well as the beneficial predatory parasitoid eggs) which are viewed and counted. Out of the 9 sample locations across the M.D., 6 of those resulted in positive wheat midge populations occurring; with 3 of those 6 being of concerning levels. Farmers in the township of 42-2W4 (extreme risk), township of 45-4W4 (moderate risk) and also township 44-2W4 (moderate risk) should be field scouting which will be critical as the wheat comes into head for next growing season. (There is no definitive way to know exactly the risk in any given field, it depends on environmental conditions, past history of rotation, current variety selection and planting date, plus how your neighbors are farming). The number of midge larvae found in these samples gives a general trend and that trend is for more midge next year. The results reflect a general increase in midge numbers across Alberta. The growing season of 2011 will have a higher risk of wheat midge than 2010.
Results from the M.D. of Wainwright surveys can be viewed on the Provincial website...www.ropintheweb.ca.