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Articles by Bruce Barker
Searching for competitive wheat varieties
Searching for competitive wheat varieties CATEGORY Weeds | Nine of 71 spring wheat varieties evaluated had superior weed competitiveness that helped to maintain yield potential under weed pressure. These cultivars could be used in plant breeding to help breed more competitive cultivars to integrate into a weed management plan. As the incidence of herbicide resistance continues to rise on the Prairies, the need for an integrated weed control program increases.
Reducing phosphorus runoff in snowmelt
Reducing phosphorus runoff in snowmelt CATEGORY Soils and Fertility | Using variable rate fertilizer application in annual grain crops or growing forage mixtures can help reduce phosphorus (P) runoff in snowmelt from drained potholes in the Canadian Prairie Pothole Region. Drainage management practices such as utilizing surface ditches can help drain water from potholes in the spring to improve crop production efficiencies. However, these practices can also impact water quality downstream.
Economic threshold for lesser clover leaf weevil in red clover
Economic threshold for lesser clover leaf weevil in red clover CATEGORY Insects | The economic threshold when insecticide application should be initiated was calculated at 6 larvae per 10 shoots at the low market price, 4 larvae at the average price and 3 for the high price. A decision matrix was developed based on a full range of treatment costs and market seed prices to allow growers to use their own treatment and market prices to guide insecticide application.
Pea aphid thresholds in faba bean
Pea aphid thresholds in faba bean CATEGORY Insects | The average economic threshold (ET) was calculated at 34 to 50 aphids per main stem. This ET offers a 7-day lead time prior to aphid populations exceeding the economic injury level of 96 to 142 aphids per faba bean main stem. A major insect pest of faba bean is pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. They cause damage by feeding on phloem sap, and can cause yield losses of up to 100 per cent.
The importance of stupidity in scientific research
The importance of stupidity in scientific research CATEGORY Agronomy | Martin Schwartz, a researcher in the Department of Microbiology, UVA Health System, University of Virginia, Charlottesville published this essay in the Journal of Cell Science in 2008. The content is still relevant today for researchers, agronomists and farmers who are struggling to solve a problem. I recently saw an old friend for the first time in many years.
Soil pH, nutrient stratification and spatial variability
Soil pH, nutrient stratification and spatial variability CATEGORY Soils and Fertility | Tillage initially contributed to pH and nutrient spatial variability, but no-till management practices over the past 40 years have reduced pH and increased nutrient stratification and spatial variability. Acidification of soils, nutrient stratification, and spatial variability are issues that no-till farmers face on the Canadian Prairies.
Diversified Crop Rotations Can Offset Drought-Induced Yield Losses
Diversified Crop Rotations Can Offset Drought-Induced Yield Losses CATEGORY Soils and Fertility | In a recent cropping systems study across the prairies, results showed that precipitation and N-management are primary factors affecting yield performance. Precipitation explained 25% of the yield variations while N management explained 21% of the yield variations.
Lygus bug and faba bean interaction with environment
Lygus bug and faba bean interaction with environment CATEGORY Insects | Lygus populations varied from year to year and by geographic location. More rainfall in the grey and moist black soil zones resulted in lower Lygus abundance. The Lygus genus is a diverse group with over 11,000 species, with four species being important pests on the Prairies: L. lineolaris, L. keltoni, L. elisus, and L. borealis. Common hosts include canola, faba beans, soybeans, sunflowers, and many other crops and weeds.
Water quality can affect pesticide performance
Dirty, hard or acidic water hurts effectiveness. April 6, 2026 By Bruce Barker Talking Points If you're drawing water from a dugout, or a well with hard water, herbicide performance can be affected. "It is crucial when we use pesticides to get maximum efficacy from each product used. Hard water can reduce herbicide performance.
Purple is the new barley colour
Newly registered AAC Magenta is a purple, hulless barley for food with potential health benefits. April 1, 2026 By Bruce Barker Talking Points Purple, hulless barley brings several health attributes together in one package. AAC Magenta was registered in November 2024. It brings a combination of high anthocyanin, beta-glucan and protein content to market as a specialty product in the food and potentially industrial processing markets.
Top tips for fertilizing forages
Best management practices outlined. March 30, 2026 By Bruce Barker Talking Points Tired and unproductive, a forage field that has been neglected can be brought back to life with a good fertility program. "Removal of all above-ground material with haying over time removes a lot of nutrients, and production declines due to lack of fertility," says Jeff Schoenau, soil scientist with the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Mechanical patch management of kochia
March 23, 2026 By Bruce Barker Talking Points Kochia herbicide resistance has become widespread on the Canadian Prairies. Kochia populations have now been identified as having resistance to Groups 2, 4, 9 and 14, with some Group 2+4+9 stacked resistant populations identified. With the declining usefulness of herbicide control, research led by Shaun Sharpe, weed scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), evaluated alternate, physical management strategies for controlling kochia patches.
Battling cereal and pea aphids
Understand economic thresholds and beneficial insects. March 9, 2026 By Bruce Barker Depending on the year and timing of invasion, cereal and pea aphids can cause significant damage to crops on the Prairies. Whether growers are managing them in cereals or pulse crops, understanding economic thresholds and the beneficial insects that can feed on them will help minimize losses. "Aphids cause damage by tapping into the phloem, sucking the juices out of the plant.
Features Cereals Insect Pests Pests Pulses Battling cereal and pea aphids
Depending on the year and timing of invasion, cereal and pea aphids can cause significant damage to crops on the Prairies. Whether growers are managing them in cereals or pulse crops, understanding economic thresholds and the beneficial insects that can feed on them will help minimize losses. “Aphids cause damage by tapping into the phloem, sucking the juices out of the plant.
Preserving field heroes Original
Conserving beneficial insects while managing pests. February 23, 2026 By Bruce Barker Friends and foes. Insects fall into these two categories on the Canadian Prairies. It is well known that beneficial insects can help to prevent outbreaks, but there is so much more to learn about them.
Canola seed rate and date impact on flea beetles
Higher flea beetle pressure - and highest yield - comes with earlier seeding. February 17, 2026 By Bruce Barker When it comes to flea beetles, canola growers are continually looking for that Goldilocks' moment when it comes to seeding rate and date. Seed too early and seed treatment effectiveness may decline and be overwhelmed by flea beetles. Seed too late and yield is left on the table even though canola will rapidly germinate and potentially outgrow flea beetle infestations.
Canola seed rate and date impact on flea beetles
When it comes to flea beetles, canola growers are continually looking for that Goldilocks’ moment when it comes to seeding rate and date. Seed too early and seed treatment effectiveness may decline and be overwhelmed by flea beetles. Seed too late and yield is left on the table even though canola will rapidly germinate and potentially outgrow flea beetle infestations.
How much do insect pests cost Prairie farmers?
February 13, 2026 By Bruce Barker Every year, insect pests cause substantial economic losses on the Prairies, but there is no estimate of the total economic cost from insect damage. A review was conducted by Vivek Srivastava, Tyler Wist and Hector Carcamo with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to develop a new way of estimating insect pest costs based on provincial pest reports, and to provide recommendations on how to standardize pest reports in order to help prioritize research funding.
Agronomy update: How much do insect pests cost Prairie farmers?
Every year, insect pests cause substantial economic losses on the Prairies, but there is no estimate of the total economic cost from insect damage. A review was conducted by Vivek Srivastava, Tyler Wist and Hector Carcamo with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to develop a new way of estimating insect pest costs based on provincial pest reports, and to provide recommendations on how to standardize pest reports in order to help prioritize research funding.
Soybean gall midge creeping closer
The new pest has been confirmed in southern North Dakota. February 3, 2026 By Bruce Barker There are a lot of unknowns surrounding the soybean gall midge ( Resseliella maxima). It has been identified in the United States Midwest, and is known to occur in Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota. Whether it makes its way to Canada, and whether it can survive and cause damage to soybeans, is unclear.
Intercropping systems in western Canada
Intercropping systems in western Canada CATEGORY Agronomy | A review of intercropping systems in western Canada over the last 40 years shows that intercropping has a critical role to play in a more sustainable agriculture that optimizes producers’ profit. The review found that over 60% of small plot combinations were pulse-oilseed combinations and 30% pulse-cereal combinations, many showing a Land Equivalent Ration (LER) >1.
Chickpea-flax intercrop shows greater efficiencies
Chickpea-flax intercrop shows greater efficiencies CATEGORY Agronomy | Intercropping chickpea and flax resulted in eight to 22 per cent of biologically fixed nitrogen being transferred from chickpea to flax during the growing season. This resulted in reduced soil nitrogen depletion compared to monocrop flax. The land equivalent ratio was at or above 1 for the intercrop at the four site-years. Interest in intercropping is growing on the Canadian Prairies.
Gaining a better understanding of Verticillium stripe
Laying the foundation for further research. November 25, 2025 By Bruce Barker In the 10 years since Verticillium stripe was first identified in Manitoba, researchers have been working to gain a better understanding of the disease and its impact on canola production. A research study led by Sheau-Fang Hwang and Stephen Strelkov at the University of Alberta is shedding some light on the disease.
Lime for clubroot management
Lime for clubroot management CATEGORY Disease | Fall application of Zero Grind limestone performed similar to spring applied hydrated lime. Generally, both products applied at 10 t/ha increased soil pH, reduced disease severity, increased yield and reduced spore density of P. brassicae in the soil. Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae Wor., is well established across canola growing areas of western Canada. It can cause severe losses under high disease pressure – up to complete yield loss.
Optimizing canola production
November 17, 2025 By Bruce Barker With the evolution of pod shatter resistant hybrid canola, growers have shifted their management practices in an effort to maximize yield and reduce costs. A recent research project led by Brian Beres at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) at Lethbridge, Alta. investigated how seeding rate, swathing canola and straight cutting pod shatter resistant canola hybrids impacted seed yield and quality.
Openers and seed treatments investigated in ultra-early wheat
Openers and seed treatments investigated in ultra-early wheat CATEGORY Agronomy | In ultra-early seeding systems, a disc opener performed marginally better than a knife opener. Few benefits were realized from insecticide/fungicide seed treatments. Previous research found that seeding wheat ultra-early at a soil temperature trigger of >0C provided high, stable yields.
Economic performance of legume intercrops varied
Economic performance of legume intercrops varied CATEGORY Agronomy | The economic returns of cereal, oilseed and legume intercrop crops varied by location. Generally, intercropping reduced losses or outperformed less profitable monocrops but high value monocrops like corn and soybean outperformed intercrops. Net return stability also varied by different intercrop types and growth conditions. Legume intercrops with oilseeds or cereals have been shown to provide yield and stability benefits.
Winter camelina shows promise
Lower input crop could compete with canola returns. October 17, 2025 By Bruce Barker It may be too early to tell, but winter camelina could gain ground from canola acres. That's the experience that Darcy Friesen, a farmer at Langham, Sask. had when he tried winter camelina a year ago. "I don't mind trying a few crops. So, this is one that I tried to see how it would pay out. And you know last year, it paid out well, because of how it yielded.
Fungi cage match
New fungal species identified as a Fusarium head blight biocontrol agent. October 16, 2025 By Bruce Barker In one corner is the long-time heavyweight Fusarium graminearum pathogen that causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) in many cereals on the Prairies. In the other corner is a new challenger hoping to bring the heavyweight down. The newcomer is a native mycoparasite, Sphaerodes mycoparasitica Vuj., a natural killer specific to Fusarium species that effectively knocks out F.
Alternate forms of nitrogen fertilizer performed similar to urea
October 15, 2025 By Bruce Barker A two-year field study led by the University of Alberta assessed the impact of different nitrogen (N) fertilizer formulations on spring wheat production in Alberta. The objectives of this study were to compare alternative granular N fertilizers with urea (46-0-0), and to see if urease and nitrification inhibitors can improve N use efficiencies when banded into the soil.
Optimizing canola production
Optimizing canola production CATEGORY Agronomy | For both early- and late-maturing hybrids, straight-cutting canola at 10% seed moisture produced high, stable yields. While seeding at 18 seeds/ft2 produced the highest yield, it also had the lowest net returns due to high seed costs. Seeding at 12 seeds/ft2 provided a balance between yield, seed costs, and net returns.
Splitting hairs over nitrogen fertilizer
Does splitting nitrogen fertilizer make sense as a risk management tool? October 10, 2025 By Bruce Barker After the disastrous 2021 drought, the researchers at Saskatchewan's Agriculture Applied Research Management (Agri-ARM) centres came up with a research demonstration program exploring how to mitigate risk when applying nitrogen (N) fertilizer in dry years.
Legume contributions to nitrogen nutrition in wheat
Legume contributions to nitrogen nutrition in wheat CATEGORY Soils and Fertility | In a grain legume-wheat rotation, belowground residue consisting of roots, rhizodeposits, residual fertilizer and soil-N contributed 70 to 91% of wheat N uptake, with 66% of N uptake from the indigenous soil N pool. Wheat yield was statistically highest following lentil and pea, which were about 25% higher than wheat following wheat.
Where do enhanced efficiency fertilizers fit?
EEF nitrogen 101. September 15, 2025 By Bruce Barker Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEF) have been around for several decades with Agrotain and Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN) leading the pack. Since then, many more products have come to market. "If you go back in history prior to April 1, 2013 - and that's a not an April Fool's joke - but as of April 1, 2013, we do not have any more regulation of efficiency for fertilizers in Canada.
Alternate forms of nitrogen fertilizer performed similar to urea
Alternate forms of nitrogen fertilizer performed similar to urea CATEGORY Soils and Fertility | A two year study found that the alternate nitrogen (N) fertilizer sources ammonium sulfate nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate did not perform any better than urea N fertilizer. Treatment with a urease, nitrification or dual inhibitor had few benefits. A two-year field study assessed the impact of different nitrogen (N) fertilizer formulations on spring wheat production in Alberta.
Optimizing nitrogen fertility in winter wheat
4Rs especially apply to winter wheat. September 9, 2025 By Bruce Barker Back when ammonium nitrate was still available - before Timothy McVeigh blew up a federal building in Oklahoma City in 1985 killing 168 people - fertilizing winter wheat was fairly straight forward. Apply some starter nitrogen (N) at seeding, and then top dress with ammonium nitrate. Today, though, farmers have a choice of applying N with the right source at the right time at the right rate in the right place.
Manage canola harvest to optimize winter wheat production
September 3, 2025 By Bruce Barker With the shift to straight cutting of later maturing canola hybrids, there was a need to update winter wheat management practices in a canola-winter wheat rotation. The objectives of this study, led by Brian Beres, research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), were to investigate how early- and late-maturing hybrid canola and harvest timing impact the subsequent winter wheat crop.
Auto-adjust combines need monitoring
The concept is good, and significant research dollars have gone into the development of auto-adjust combines, but set and forget can mean increased canola harvest losses. That is the finding of a research study conducted by the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) during harvest 2022. “My thoughts on auto-adjust combines are that you have to measure the losses.
Strip tillage and precision planting of canola
Strip tillage and precision planting of canola CATEGORY Agronomy | When strip tillage was combined with a disc-hoe opener, a high and stable canola yield was achieved. No-till improved water conservation and helped to mitigate yield losses in rainfed conditions of southern Alberta. Strip tillage has been adopted for planting crops in wider row spacing because it helps to manage crop residue while seeding crops such as corn and soybean.
Manage canola harvest to optimize winter wheat production
Manage canola harvest to optimize winter wheat production CATEGORY Agronomy | Winter wheat following late- or early-maturing canola hybrids had similar grain yields, but straight-cutting canola reduced the subsequent winter wheat yield. Applying pre-harvest herbicides while swathing with an on-board sprayer was effective in controlling weeds and maintaining winter wheat yields. Pre-harvest + pre-plant herbicides eliminated the need for an in-crop winter wheat herbicide in the spring.
Disease survey found pathogens were common on faba bean
Disease survey found pathogens were common on faba bean CATEGORY Disease | A three year survey found that foliar disease incidence on faba bean was more than 75% in Alberta and Saskatchewan reaching 100% in Alberta in 2019. The major fungal genera identified were Alternaria, Botrytis, Fusarium and Stemphylium. Botrytis fabae, which primarily causes chocolate spot disease, was isolated from 60 of 68 samples, while eight isolates were B. cinerea.
Auto-adjust combines need monitoring
Don't just set and forget. July 3, 2025 By Bruce Barker The concept is good, and significant research dollars have gone into the development of auto-adjust combines, but set and forget can mean increased canola harvest losses. That is the finding of a research study conducted by the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) during harvest 2022. "My thoughts on auto-adjust combines are that you have to measure the losses.
Auto-adjust combines need monitoring - Top Crop Manager
The concept is good, and significant research dollars have gone into the development of auto-adjust combines, but set and forget can mean increased canola harvest losses. That is the finding of a research study conducted by the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) during harvest 2022. “My thoughts on auto-adjust combines are that you have to measure the losses.
Green on brown sprayer delivers cost savings
Green on brown sprayer delivers cost savings CATEGORY Weeds | Light-activated sensor-controlled sprayer reduced the overall chemical use by 23% to 55% and resulted in cost savings of $2.36/ac to $12.48/ac ($5.83 to $30.83/ha) across herbicide treatments for kochia and prickly lettuce control. In recent years, light-activated sensor-controlled (LASC) sprayers have become more popular with custom operators and broadacre farmers in Australia, United States and Canada.
Cut stubble high to preserve wheat stem sawfly parasitoids
Cut stubble high to preserve wheat stem sawfly parasitoids CATEGORY Insects | Most overwintering parasitoid cocoons (>80%) occurred in the bottom third of standing wheat stems from 0 to six inches (0-15 cm). Cutting wheat at six inches or higher at harvest increased Bracon cephi spring emergence by 40%, while cutting just below the wheat head increased emergence by 60% compared to cutting near ground level.
Midge Busters - Top Crop Manager
Staying on top of wheat midge. June 19, 2025 By Bruce Barker When the wheat midge survey maps come out in the winter, and you're in the red hot zone, who you gonna call? Try Midge Busters, an initiative that started several years ago to help track the presence of wheat midge in real time on the Prairies.
Midge Busters - Top Crop Manager
When the wheat midge survey maps come out in the winter, and you’re in the red hot zone, who you gonna call? Try Midge Busters, an initiative that started several years ago to help track the presence of wheat midge in real time on the Prairies. “Midge Busters is an initiative that SeCan approached me with to try to correlate predictive forecasts with actual emergence in the field,” says Tyler Wist, a field crop entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Saskatoon, Sask.
No effect of PGRs on FHB
No effect of PGRs on FHB CATEGORY Agronomy | Plant growth regulators did not affect Fusarium head blight disease in spring wheat. PGRs could allow growers to select taller, FHB-resistant wheat cultivars while managing plant height and lodging to improve yield. Most cultivars with improved Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance tend to be taller, but they come with trade-offs of increased lodging risk. Semi-dwarf varieties generally perform better in high yield areas under intensive management.
Fusarium head blight control in durum wheat
Fusarium head blight control in durum wheat CATEGORY Disease | Applying a foliar fungicide at BBCH65 (50% anthesis) effectively suppressed Fusarium head blight. Fusarium head blight suppression when application was delayed up to the end of anthesis at BBCH69 was statistically similar to application at BBCH65, although BBCH69 timing is not on current labels. Spray timing at BBCH59 when the wheat head was full emerged provided little benefit.
Agronomy update: Early maturing crops reduce wild oat densities
June 3, 2025 By Bruce Barker The evolution of herbicide-resistant wild oats has made wild oat control increasingly difficult. The most recent survey in Manitoba found that 100 per cent of wild oat samples were resistant to at least one herbicide mode of action and, in Saskatchewan, 77 per cent were also resistant to at least one mode of action. Additionally, multiple herbicide resistance to Group 1 and 2 herbicides are becoming more common.
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