September 10, 2002

Three studies aimed at increasing farm profits while using pesticides more judiciously are among the projects funded by the Covering New Ground program, Agriculture and Food Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced today.

The projects will help farmers refine their crop management techniques so they can better control pest and disease problems, thereby reducing the need for pesticides. The studies will also assist producers to use pesticides more effectively and efficiently to maximize economic return.

"Integrated pest management projects like these are helping farmers embrace the principles of sustainable development," Wowchuk said. "They show that good environmental practices make good business sense. More importantly, they provide farmers with the practical information they need to put these ideas into action."

The pest and disease management projects looked at common problems affecting vegetable, grain and alfalfa seed production:

• One study monitored insect populations to improve the ability to predict outbreaks of aster yellows, a carrot disease spread by leafhoppers that come here from the United States. The project also looked at possible causes of forking of carrots, an emerging problem for some Manitoba growers. Another part of the project developed pest forecasting models to help farmers determine when to spray for cabbage and onion maggots.
• A project in the Eastern/Interlake region looked at when and how fungicide should be applied to economically control leaf spot complex, a key management challenge for alfalfa seed growers. Researchers looked at the effectiveness of the fungicide when applied at different crop development stages and under varying environmental conditions. The project showed that producers could achieve good results with fewer applications if they used an effective model to forecast disease risk.
• A project carried out by the Starbuck Marketing Club demonstrated how grain producers can determine when it is economical to treat crops with fungicide to combat fusarium head blight. The club used the principle of marginal analysis to determine when the cost of applying the fungicide is outweighed by additional returns from increased yields and grain quality. After different fungicides were applied at four sites, the club calculated yields and tested grain samples for protein, DON, dockage and germination. The study concluded that while fungicide applications for fusarium control are usually economical, avoiding unnecessary spraying can save money.

The Covering New Ground program, administered by Manitoba Agriculture and Food, has provided over $1 million annually to projects that focus on enhanced agricultural sustainability.

"Information is one of our most important tools for crop production and environmental management," Wowchuk said. "Covering New Ground is one of the ways we are ensuring that this valuable tool is continually honed and improved, for the benefit of our agricultural industry and the province as a whole."

Further information about the program is available from Manitoba Agriculture and Food offices or from the department’s Web site at http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/research/covering.

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