The fall and winter months offer important opportunities to share our research efforts with growers and the agricultural industry. Preliminary data and an overview of the IPM program's activities will be shared at the following events and we love seeing familiar faces!
November 19, 2019 - Falher AB at the Falher Curling Rink for the "Next Level Farming" meeting hosted by Alberta Barley (Region 6), Alberta Pulse Growers (Zone 4) and Alberta Wheat Commission (Region 5). Link here for agenda and to register.
November 26, 2019 - Manning AB at the Manning Legion Hall for the "Powering Your Profits" meeting hosted by Alberta Canola Producers Commission. Link here for agenda and to register.
November 27, 2019 - High Prairie AB at the Triangle Hall for the "Powering Your Profits" meeting hosted by Alberta Canola Producers Commission. Link here for agenda and to register.
November 28, 2019 - Grande Prairie AB at the Paradise Inn and Conference Centre for the "Powering Your Profits" meeting hosted by Alberta Canola Producers Commission. Link here for agenda and to register.
December 5, 2019 - Rycroft AB at the Rycroft Ag Centre for BASF's grower meeting. Please contact your BASF rep for more details. Useful resources can be reviewed here.
January 7-8, 2020 - Red Deer AB at the Cambridge Hotel for the "2020 Agronomy Update". Link here for agenda and to access more conference information.
February 20, 2020 - Sexsmith AB at the Sexsmith Civic Centre for the "Agriculture Strategies for Producers." meeting hosted by County of Grande Prairie. Link here for agenda and to register.
February 25-26, 2020 - Edmonton AB at the Fantasyland Hotel for the "2020 Canadian Forage Seed Conference" hosted by the Peace Region Forage Seed Association. Link here for agenda and to access more conference information.
@bugs5132
Tuesday, 19 November 2019
Saturday, 25 May 2019
Field sanitation protocol to manage soil-borne diseases
The distribution of clubroot in the Peace River region again increased in 2018 from the Big Lakes County (August 2017) to include additional sites in northwestern Alberta:
• Please access the current clubroot map here to learn more about where this disease occurs within Alberta.
• Refer to Alberta Agriculture and Forestry's website for more information on clubroot.
• Please access the current clubroot map here to learn more about where this disease occurs within Alberta.
• Refer to Alberta Agriculture and Forestry's website for more information on clubroot.
The IPM Program has, since 2004, used booties and sterilized field equipment using bleach and ethyl alcohol. From 2017-2018, field sanitation involved the use of Virkon and bleach and since 2019 involved bleach only. As of May 2021, our field sanitation protocol includes:
* AAFC staff continue to operate marked vehicles when visiting fields to identify ourselves.
* AAFC vehicles continue to park on the road OR on pull-ins – we NEVER drive into a field!
* We reduce field work activities on rainy days to avoid tracking mud.
* We are using sodium hypochlorite or bleach (2%) to sanitize both AT and BETWEEN each field.
* Rubber boots are worn and sterilized using bleach both AT and BETWEEN each field.
* Disposable booties are worn over sterilized rubber boots prior to exiting the vehicle.
* All booties are bagged then sterilized using an autoclave.
* Vehicle tires, wheels, and wheel-wells are sanitized using bleach both AT and BETWEEN each field.
* Any equipment in contact with the soil (eg trowels, soil samplers) is sanitized using bleach.
* We carry multiples of our small field equipment to allow for soaking in bleach and/or sterilization using an autoclave.
* All field equipment (e.g., spades, trowels, soil core samplers) is soaked in bleach after use in each field.
* All field equipment (e.g., spades, trowels, soil core samplers) is soaked in bleach after use in each field.
* AAFC vehicles are washed intermittently at commercial car washes to prevent the introduction of clubroot onto our research field plots at Beaverlodge AB.
Please contact us if you have questions or concerns! If you wish to personally see our sanitization efforts in action, we can arrange it! You can reach Amanda Jorgensen, Shelby Dufton, or Jennifer Otani by e-mail.
We appreciate the value of all agricultural fields and thank our growers for allowing us to conduct research in their fields. We appreciate their ongoing support and commitment to insect pest management. We also want the agricultural industry to be aware and confident that we continue to do our utmost to ensure every field is protected now and in the future.
Friday, 17 May 2019
Meet our technician (2019) - Amanda Jorgensen
Hello there! I’m Amanda Jorgensen and I’ve been working in the IPM Program for 6 years! I was a student in the IPM lab here at Beaverlodge (first a co-op student, then doing my M.Sc.) and have introduced myself as a student in 2016 and 2017. Now, I completed my Master’s degree from the University of Alberta and have been hired on indeterminately as a research technician at the Beaverlodge Research Farm. I am very excited to expand my responsibilities and take on more of the day-to-day lab management tasks that I took for granted as a student.
As a technician, I am involved in a lot more than I was as a student. While I am still been working to wrap up some wheat midge work, I will work more with insect pests and beneficial organisms in perennial grass and legume seed crops! I am currently contacting growers in the region seeking producer-cooperators who kindly allow us access to their fields so we can collect insects and assess insect-related damage in crops including creeping red fescue, smooth and meadow brome, red and alsike clover, plus alfalfa. In the past few years I focused on annual crops so I’m excited to expand my horizons!
Thanks for reading!
Amanda.jorgensen@canada.ca
 |
| Figure 1. Amanda (left) with Shelby Dufton (right) in a wheat field at the edge of the Peace River Valley. |
As a technician, I am involved in a lot more than I was as a student. While I am still been working to wrap up some wheat midge work, I will work more with insect pests and beneficial organisms in perennial grass and legume seed crops! I am currently contacting growers in the region seeking producer-cooperators who kindly allow us access to their fields so we can collect insects and assess insect-related damage in crops including creeping red fescue, smooth and meadow brome, red and alsike clover, plus alfalfa. In the past few years I focused on annual crops so I’m excited to expand my horizons!
Thanks for reading!
Amanda.jorgensen@canada.ca
 |
| Figure 2. Amanda collecting soil samples in a typical Northern Alberta spring. |
Meet our technician (2019) - Shelby Dufton
Hi! My name is Shelby Dufton and you may have seen some of my posts on the blog before (1, 2, 3). I have worked in a few different capacities with the Beaverlodge Research Farm since 2014. I started out as a co-op student from the University of British Columbia in my first couple of years at the farm and quickly found my passion for entomological research. Following this, I started a M.Sc. degree through the University of Lethbridge. For my Master’s thesis project, I studied the effects of natural enemies of the wheat midge. I recently defended my thesis in April – and I’m excited to say I passed!
In October of 2018, I was hired on as a full-time research technician with the IPM program. Making the change from Master’s student to technician involves new opportunities for me to learn and grow with the program. Things are ramping up as the field season kicks off and I’m happy to be working outside again.
Currently, I am in the process of scouting for and setting up new fields for our insect monitoring that is part of the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (For more information check out the PPMN blog). Looking forward to seeing you out in the field this summer!
shelby.dufton@canada.ca
 |
| Figure 1. Shelby (right) and Amanda Jorgensen (left) scouting overnight for wheat midge in a field near Fort Vermilion AB. |
In October of 2018, I was hired on as a full-time research technician with the IPM program. Making the change from Master’s student to technician involves new opportunities for me to learn and grow with the program. Things are ramping up as the field season kicks off and I’m happy to be working outside again.
Currently, I am in the process of scouting for and setting up new fields for our insect monitoring that is part of the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (For more information check out the PPMN blog). Looking forward to seeing you out in the field this summer!
shelby.dufton@canada.ca
 |
| Figure 2. Shelby holding a Polyphemus moth, Antheraea polyphemus, that she reared in 2018. |
Thursday, 16 May 2019
Meet our students (2019) - Introducing Matthew!
Hi! My name is Matthew Uniat.
Last summer I worked for AAFC-Lacombe with the Pulse Pathology program. Some of the major tasked I preformed were disease ratings for aphanomyces and fusarium, as well as applying a variety of spray treatments to field plots. This summer, I started working at the Beaverlodge Research Farm in the Integrated Pest Management program. I’m excited to expand my knowledge and look forward to learn about arthropods and their role within the Canadian prairie ecosystem. This job allows a continuation to improving and progressing my experience in doing laboratory/ field-based research.
This fall I will continue my third year of undergraduate studies at Concordia University of Edmonton, majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology. I moved to the Prairie West region from Edmonton Alberta and am eager to live here for the summer. Throughout my life I’ve spent a great deal of time traveling around the rural areas of western North America; whether it be camping, fishing, or searching for rocks. Over this period, I’ve gained a great deal of respect for the outdoors.
So far, I have been assisting Shelby Dufton and Amanda Jorgensen, the program’s technicians. I’ve started to process sweep-net samples collected in 2018, helped set out diamondback moth pheromone traps, flea beetle sticky traps, and pitfall traps. Everyone I have worked with so far has been a great teacher and I’m excited to spend the next 4 months working with the Insect Pest Management crew.
Last summer I worked for AAFC-Lacombe with the Pulse Pathology program. Some of the major tasked I preformed were disease ratings for aphanomyces and fusarium, as well as applying a variety of spray treatments to field plots. This summer, I started working at the Beaverlodge Research Farm in the Integrated Pest Management program. I’m excited to expand my knowledge and look forward to learn about arthropods and their role within the Canadian prairie ecosystem. This job allows a continuation to improving and progressing my experience in doing laboratory/ field-based research.
This fall I will continue my third year of undergraduate studies at Concordia University of Edmonton, majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology. I moved to the Prairie West region from Edmonton Alberta and am eager to live here for the summer. Throughout my life I’ve spent a great deal of time traveling around the rural areas of western North America; whether it be camping, fishing, or searching for rocks. Over this period, I’ve gained a great deal of respect for the outdoors.
So far, I have been assisting Shelby Dufton and Amanda Jorgensen, the program’s technicians. I’ve started to process sweep-net samples collected in 2018, helped set out diamondback moth pheromone traps, flea beetle sticky traps, and pitfall traps. Everyone I have worked with so far has been a great teacher and I’m excited to spend the next 4 months working with the Insect Pest Management crew.
Meet our students (2019) - Introducing Megan!
Hi! My name is Megan Yu and this is my first time working at the Beaverlodge Research Farm.
I am on my first Co-op work term, coming from the University of British Columbia, where I just finished my third year in Environmental Sciences (focusing on Ecology and Conservation). As this summer holds a lot of firsts for me, I am thrilled to learn about agriculture in the Peace River Region, as well as the insects that are both beneficial and detrimental in the agroecosystem.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been processing samples from sweep-net collections collected last year. This process involves dumping out contents of the sample onto a tray, retrieving the insect specimens using a paint brush, then sorting the insects into small petri dishes by size and shape. It can be quite difficult, as some insects such as thrips are very tiny. There are also many insects hiding within the plants such as the petals of the flower, so extra caution must be taken when processing these samples.
The two student research technicians I am working for, Amanda and Shelby, are extremely passionate about their work. With warmer and sunnier weather, I am looking forward to go out in the field to do more insect monitoring with our research technicians while exploring the prairies of Alberta.
I am on my first Co-op work term, coming from the University of British Columbia, where I just finished my third year in Environmental Sciences (focusing on Ecology and Conservation). As this summer holds a lot of firsts for me, I am thrilled to learn about agriculture in the Peace River Region, as well as the insects that are both beneficial and detrimental in the agroecosystem.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been processing samples from sweep-net collections collected last year. This process involves dumping out contents of the sample onto a tray, retrieving the insect specimens using a paint brush, then sorting the insects into small petri dishes by size and shape. It can be quite difficult, as some insects such as thrips are very tiny. There are also many insects hiding within the plants such as the petals of the flower, so extra caution must be taken when processing these samples.
The two student research technicians I am working for, Amanda and Shelby, are extremely passionate about their work. With warmer and sunnier weather, I am looking forward to go out in the field to do more insect monitoring with our research technicians while exploring the prairies of Alberta.
Meet our students (2019) - Introducing Cassie!
Hi, my name is Cassie Gerow!
This is my first year working at the Beaverlodge Research Farm. I am looking forward to working in the Insect Pest Management program and learning more about the impact insects have on the farming industry.
So far, I have had the opportunity to learn about some of the insects we will be studying over the summer as well as how samples are collected. I have also assisted my supervisor, Jennifer Otani, in updating the scouting charts on the Prairie Pest Management blog page. These charts are linked to the updated field guide and show growers when these insects are most active as well as their growth stages and what plants they prefer. I will also have the opportunity to process field sweeps from 2019 as well as setting up flea beetle, pit-fall, and diamondback moth traps.
Growing up in the area, I have had lots of exposure to the farming industry. Although my family never were large producers, many of my friends growing up lived and worked on large farms. This experience has given me a great appreciation for the work and research being done at the Beaverlodge Research Farm to help these farmers be more successful.
I have just completed my first year of prerequisites at the Grande Prairie Regional College for Vet school. The experience I will gain over the summer will help me in the future to have a better understanding for what the farmers have to deal with for both their livestock, and the crops they produce to maintain healthy animals.
This is my first year working at the Beaverlodge Research Farm. I am looking forward to working in the Insect Pest Management program and learning more about the impact insects have on the farming industry.
So far, I have had the opportunity to learn about some of the insects we will be studying over the summer as well as how samples are collected. I have also assisted my supervisor, Jennifer Otani, in updating the scouting charts on the Prairie Pest Management blog page. These charts are linked to the updated field guide and show growers when these insects are most active as well as their growth stages and what plants they prefer. I will also have the opportunity to process field sweeps from 2019 as well as setting up flea beetle, pit-fall, and diamondback moth traps.
Growing up in the area, I have had lots of exposure to the farming industry. Although my family never were large producers, many of my friends growing up lived and worked on large farms. This experience has given me a great appreciation for the work and research being done at the Beaverlodge Research Farm to help these farmers be more successful.
I have just completed my first year of prerequisites at the Grande Prairie Regional College for Vet school. The experience I will gain over the summer will help me in the future to have a better understanding for what the farmers have to deal with for both their livestock, and the crops they produce to maintain healthy animals.
Tuesday, 5 February 2019
Red clover casebearer in the Peace River region
We pulled together information related to the Red clover casebearer (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae: Coleophora deauratella):
Other insect pest related information pertinent to perennial grass and legume seed production in Canada:
- Insect pest Q & A describing the biology and damage initially reported in the Peace River region (2007).
- Preliminary research poster (2006) - "Clover insect pests - European flare for damage?"
- Red clover casebearer lifecycle in the Peace River region (Otani 2006).
- Prairie Pest Monitoring Network's "Insect of the Week" featuring the red clover casebearer and link to the Field Guide pages.
- IPM Lab Blog student write-up describing 2016 field activities.
- Slide deck from 2019Feb06 presentation shared with the Oregon Clover Growers Association summarizing red clover casebearer in the Peace River region.
Other insect pest related information pertinent to perennial grass and legume seed production in Canada:
- Alberta Forage Manual (2009; Ag-Dex120/20-1; ISBN 0-7732-6082-X; pdf version). Includes Forage Insects and Natural Enemies of Forage Pest Insects chapters.
- Arthropods of legume forage crops (2011; ISBN 978-0-9689321-5-5; pdf version).
- Field crop and forage insect pests and natural enemies in western Canada (ISBN 978-1-100-25768-6; pdf version).
- Cutworm field guide (2017; ISBN 978-0-660-08051-2; pdf version).
- Information related to natural enemies in field crops - Western Grains Research Foundation is working with federal and provincial entomologists across the Canadian prairies to promote beneficial arthropods. Growers are the target audience so check out the website and follow them on Twitter @FieldHeroes
Monday, 21 January 2019
Meet our students (2019) - Introducing Stephanie!
Hi! My name is Stephanie Thompson and I recently started working with the Beaverlodge Research Farm in the Integrated Pest Management program. I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and in my third year of undergraduate studies at the University of Manitoba majoring in Biological Sciences. My goals for this work term are to learn more about the program and gain skills and experience doing laboratory-based research. I also hope to become more knowledgeable regarding the various types of arthropods that are both pests and beneficials in the agricultural ecosystem on the Canadian prairies.
So far, I have been assisting a M.Sc. student, Shelby Dufton, with processing pitfall samples collected through the summer of 2018. Everyone I have worked with thus far has been great and I look forward to spending the next 4 months learning with and from them.
So far, I have been assisting a M.Sc. student, Shelby Dufton, with processing pitfall samples collected through the summer of 2018. Everyone I have worked with thus far has been great and I look forward to spending the next 4 months learning with and from them.