Beaverlodge Research Farm is in search of farmers throughout the Peace region to participate in their insect monitoring survey!
What we do:
For our canola survey we will be selecting fields from those we have permission for and sampling about every 10 km. Historically, we have randomly sampled canola fields and have sampled 100-200 fields across the entire region. We will contact you via text or phone call the morning we head out for the survey. We will collect 50 sweeps from each field we visit, and have strict bio-security protocols including: parking on the side of the road if possible (rather than the pull-in), wearing rubber boots AND booties in fields, disinfecting rubber boots and vehicle tires between each site with bleach, and car washing between counties of the Peace Region. We will make sure to give you a heads up before we head out so that we can meet you at the field and you can see our sanitation procedure in practice if you are interested.
Why participate?
We will be identifying all insects in the sweeps but will be particularly looking for Lygus, Cabbage seedpod weevil, diamondback moth, and beneficial insects. If we see any numbers of concern in sweeps from your field(s) we will contact you immediately. Broader results of the survey will be published online at http://www.prairiepest.ca
If you are interested in participating in this survey, contact:
Shelby Dufton (she/they)
Research Technician - Insect Pest Management
Beaverlodge Research Farm
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada / Government of Canada
shelby.dufton@agr.gc.ca or call 780-882-9478