By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday July 27, 2023

Jul 27, 2023 | 10:30 AM

Canada Grains Council (CGC) was happy to learn of a special committee assigned to explore pesticide management.

At the recent federal, provincial, and territorial ministers’ meeting, a FPT working group was created to prioritize science-based regulations for pesticides and initiate more dialogue on the issue.

CGC president Erin Gowriluk said each level of government has an important role to play.

“Each brings valuable perspectives to the table. For instance, provincial and territorial ministers can address the unique challenges faced by farmers in their regions,” Gowriluk said. “The establishment of a formal group dedicated to ongoing dialogue ensures accountability and enables proactive discussions informed by the realities of farming in Canada.”

Gowriluk said it’s important to uphold Canada’s strong reputation of providing safe and healthy grains for consumers and the markets.

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“We eagerly anticipate learning more about the group’s mandate and how our sector will contribute to the discussion,” she said.

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A British Columbia program hopes to put more provincial farmland back into production.

The B-C Land Matching Program pairs new and young farmers with land throughout the province.

The province said the program, delivered by the Young Agrarians resource network, helped to match 284 new farmers with land in B-C.

It helps new and established farmers start and expand their farm operations and create more regional and sustainable farmland.

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This summer and fall Saskatchewan canola producers can take advantage of free disease testing for blackleg, and clubroot.

SaskCanola and the Ministry of Agriculture is offering, for the first time, testing for verticillium stripe.

Verticillium stripe was first reported in 2014. SaskCanola Research Chair Codie Nagy said there is still much to learn about the disease and because its symptoms are similar to blackleg and sclerotinia, it can be easily confused and assumed to be another canola disease.

“Farmers can’t manage the unknown,” Nagy said. “Our disease testing program helps identify pests so farmers can manage the spread and maximize yields.”

Soil testing is the optimal way to detect the clubroot pathogen prior to canola plants appearing symptomatic. Soil samples should be collected in late summer or around swathing time.

Stem testing is the only way to know whether your canola field has blackleg or verticillium stripe. Samples should be collected while plants are still green, around swathing time.

The first 200 registered canola producers who apply are eligible for a free blackleg and verticillium stripe test, as only one sample is needed to test for both diseases.

To begin the blackleg and verticillium stripe testing process, farmers are asked to email blacklegtesting@saskcanola.com.

More information about SaskCanola’s disease testing program is available here.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW