Pests plaguing producers early in this growing season

It has been a tough start to the year for farmers, and pests are now starting to make things even worse.

During seeding this year, many producers struggled with dry conditions, followed by cool temperatures.

Lane Stockbrugger farms between Englefeld and Leroy, and has around 1,500 acres of canola in the ground this year. He’s now struggling with some unwanted guests.

“We have found some flea beetles, as well as some cutworms,” he said. “I’m hearing stories from neighbours or friends of mine across the province that they weren’t seeing flea beetle pressure a week ago, and now they are.”

He said he heard from one producer just outside of Yorkton who has had to deal with around 900 acres of spraying recently due to the flea beetles.

When looking for flea beetle damage, Stockbrugger said to watch for bites on leaves or stems on the crop. If left unchecked, the beetle can destroy the entire plant.

“If at all possible, we try not to spray,” he said. “We’re watching to make sure that it absolutely needs it. Being the crop in the state that it’s at where it’s stressed already from the drought and it’s dry, we want to protect it as well.”

He said he has had to spray a bit, but it hasn’t been as widespread on his farm compared to others.

Overall, though, he said his entire spring season has been hit hard by drought. He said it has been challenging, but the producer said it comes with the territory.

“It’s one thing after another,” Stockbrugger said. “As farmers, we accept that challenge and we take it on.”