BRAZEAU COUNTY

AGRICULTURAL SERVICE

BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

10:00 A.M.

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AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD AGENDA

________________________________________________________ DATE: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 TIME: 10:00 a.m. PLACE: County Administration Building, Drayton Valley, AB

____________Agriculture Department Meeting Room A140 Buck Creek/Lindale_ Call to Order

1. Adoption of Agenda / Additions to Agenda (Page 2)

2. Adoption of the Minutes of the Regular Agricultural Services

Board Meeting of January 15, 2015 (Pages 3-7)

3. Public Input Sessions – 11:00 a.m.

4. Old Business

a) Policy Review – No Spray (AG-23) (Pages 8-9)

b) Policy Review – Vegetation Management (AG-10) (Pages 10-11)

6. Agriculture Reports for February 2015 a) Agricultural Fieldman’s Report (Page 12)

b) Assistant Agricultural Fieldman’s Report (Page 13)

c) Member’s Reports

- 2015 Provincial ASB Conference (Pages 14-15)

- FCSS Board Development Program

7. New Business a) 2015 ASB Meeting Date/Time Changes (Page 16)

b) Farm Safety – In-school Safety Smarts 2015 – Funding (Pages 17-22)

c) Soil Sampling Policy AG-9 (Page 23)

d) Growing Into the Future

8. Correspondence/Items for Information

a) Revised Act Continues to Protect Alberta Farmers-Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development (Pages 24-25)

b) 2015 Wheat Midge Forecast – Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development (Pages 26-28)

9. Adjournment

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD MEETING DATED THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 HELD AT BRAZEAU COUNTY BUCK CREEK/LINDALE MEETING ROOM

CALL TO ORDER Allan Goddard, Chairman called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. PRESENT Allan Goddard, Chairman Duane Movald, Vice Chairman Anthony Heinrich, Councillor

Maryann Thompson, Councillor Heather Anderson, Member at Large

Steve Olynyk, Member at Large Lisa Rabel, Agricultural Fieldman

Tara McGinn, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman Ken Ziegler, AFRD, Forage Specialist

Barbara Chenier, Recording Secretary

ABSENT Charlie Martin, Member at Large ADDITIONS Additions and Adoption of Agenda AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA New Business

7. Community Scholarship Trust Society Add $500.00 from unused ASB Bursary

01/15 Moved by Steve Olynyk to adopt the Agenda as amended.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPTION OF Adoption of Minutes MINUTES

02/15 Moved by Maryann Thompson to adopt the Minutes of the Agricultural Service Board meeting of December 17, 2014, as amended.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PUBLIC INPUT Public Input Session SESSION N/A

OLD BUSINESS Old Business

a) Brazeau County ASB Bursary Recipient - 2014

- Natalie Bernadette LaForest Letter & $500.00 cheque forwarded

03/15 Moved by Maryann Thompson to receive this as information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3

b) 2015– ASB Conference – Fantasyland Hotel, Edmonton, AB

January 20 – 23, 2015. ASB Members attending: Heather Anderson, Charlie Martin, Allan Goddard, Lisa Rabel.

04/15 Moved by Steve Olynyk to receive for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

c) 2015 Resolutions:

1. Adapt Crop Insurance to Protect Clubroot Tolerant Varieties:

- In favour

2. Pest Control Act – Clubroot

- In favour

3. Standardized Clubroot Inspection Procedure

- In favour

4. Additional Funding for Municipalities Dealing with Prohibited Noxious Weeds that come from Outside the Province of Alberta

- In favour

5. Maintaining Canada Thistle as a Noxious Weed under the Alberta Weed Control Act and Regulation

- In favour

6. Legal Opinion on the Jurisdiction of the Weed Control Act on CN Rail regulators weed inspectors

- In favour

7. Prevention of the Introduction of Zebra and Quagga Mussels into Alberta Water Bodies

- In favour

8. Monitor Ergot Levels in Livestock Feeds with changes

- In favour

9. Elk Quota Hunt

- In favour

10. Alberta Fish and Wildlife Officer Availability

- In favour

11. Wildlife Predator Compensation for Domestic Equine Loss

- In favour

4

12. Agriculture Plastics Recycling

- In favour

13. Pesticide Container Collection Program

- In favour

14. Management of Farm and Agricultural Leases

- In favour

15. Farm Property Assessment

- In favour

16. Preventing Licensing of Tolerant Wheat

- In favour

Regional Resolution: South Elk (Cervus elaphus) Population Control at Canadian Forces

Base (CFB) Suffield

- In favour

05/15 Moved by Heather Anderson to accept the discussion on the 2015 ASB Resolutions results as determined by this Board.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Voting Delegates

06/15 Moved by Duane Movald to appoint Charlie Martin and Heather Anderson as Brazeau County ASB voting delegates at the 2015 ASB Conference.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

d) Policy Review – No spray (AG-23)

i) County Staff to put in “County” signs

07/15 Moved by Maryann Thompson to accept change in “i”. by adding “County” before “Signs” and then proceed to Council.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

e) Policy Review - Roadside Spraying (AG-10) 08/15 Moved by Anthony Heinrich to proceed to Council.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

f) FCSS – Drayton Valley & District – Board Development Program – Strengthening Volunteer Boards January 24, 2015.

09/15 Moved by Anthony Heinrich to receive for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 5

AGRICULTURE Agriculture Reports REPORTS

Agricultural Fieldman’s Report

Lisa Rabel presented her January 2015 Report to the Board.

Assistant Agricultural Fieldman’s Report

Tara McGinn presented her January 2015 Report to the Board.

10/15 Moved by Anthony Heinrich to receive the Agricultural Fieldman’s Report and the Assistant Agricultural Fieldman’s Report for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MEMBER’S REPORT N/A

NEW BUSINESS New Business

a) 2015 ASB Meeting Date/Time Changes:

- March 12, 2015 from March 18, 2015 - June 17, 2015 from June 24, 2015 - July 15, 2015 Cancelled - December 16, 2015 from December 17, 2015

11/15 Moved by Steve Olynyk to change the above noted ASB

meeting dates.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

b) Community Scholarship Trust Society & ASB Bursary

12/15 Moved by Maryann Thompson that administration draft an amendment to the criteria for the ASB Bursary.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

13/15 Moved by Duane Movald that the unused $500.00 ASB Bursary from the 2014 budget, be donated to the Community Scholarship Trust Society.

IN FAVOUR Allan Goddard Duane Movald Anthony Heinrich Maryann Thompson Heather Anderson

OPPOSED Steve Olynyk

CARRIED

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ITEMS FOR CORRESPONDENCE/ITEMS FOR INFORMATION INFORMATION

a) The Western Producer Coming Clean About Clubroot

14/15 Moved by Anthony Heinrich to receive the above noted items for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

NEXT Next Meeting MEETING

The next regular ASB Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2015 in the ASB Meeting Room A 140 (Buck Creek/Lindale), Brazeau County Building, 7401 – TWP Road 494.

ADJOURNMENT 15/15 Moved by Steve Olynyk that the regular Agricultural Service Board Meeting of Thursday, January 15, 2015 adjourn at 12:55 p.m.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ___________________________ A.S.B. CHAIRMAN

___________________________ A.S.B. SECRETARY

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Policy Name

No Spray Request

Policy Number BrBZeM

CountyAG-23

Policy Statement

Residents of Brazeau County may enter into an agreement whereby roadside spraying is not completedadjacent to their property.

Policy

A. Brazeau County Vegetation Management program is conducted with the objective toeradicate Prohibited Noxious and/or control Noxious weeds, control the growth of woodyvegetation (brush), reduce snow accumulation problems, facilitate snow removal, aid invisibility for traffic safety and wildlife crossing.

B. The "No Spray" Request offers residents an opportunity to opt out of roadside sprayingadjacent to the property they occupy and by way of an annual agreement assume thevegetation control responsibilities within that specific area.

C. By signing the "No Spray" request, the landowner accepts full responsibility for ProhibitedNoxious and/or Noxious weeds and woods vegetation control in the designated area(s).Mowing or hand-pulling will be considered an acceptable method of control.

D. For Organic purposes, any required buffers will not include County owned property.

E. Applications, available at the County office, must be submitted annually, no later than May1^'of the year of request.

F. Failure to do so will result in removal of signs and agreement nullification, and the roadsidereturning to the vegetation management program schedule.

G. As per the Schedule of Fees Bylaw, a flat fee will be charged to each landowner to offsetadministration costs of the application. This will be a onetime fee per location.

H. The "No Spray" agreement must bp^le^ut annually for each location./^/ /

I. County signs will be installedemployees at no charge to the applicant.

//r' I>Chief Administrative Officer; / * //Approved By Council: 05/02/01Revision Dates: rv/m/dU5/02/Q3: 08/06/06: 08/10/10:

Reviewed: 15/02/03

AG-23 No Spray Policy

Page 1 of 28

J. Residents adjacent to Primary or Secondary Highways must address their request to Alberta

Transportation.

K. Brazeau County reserves the right to cancel any agreement and implement any control

deemed necessary at any time.

L Brazeau County will, to the best of their ability, avoid applying herbicides to any land thathas a current "No Spray" request in place provided that all the above conditions are met tothe satisfaction of the Agricultural Fieldman. However, in no way does the County guarantee

that no herbicides will be applied to any lands under their control.

Chief Administrative Officer:

Approved By Council: 05/02/01Revision Dates: (y/m/d')15/02/03: 08/06Reviewed: 15/02/03

06/10/10:

AG-23 No Spray Policy

Page 2 of 29

Policy Name

Vegetation Management

Policy Number

BrazeauAG 10 County

Policy Statement

To establish guidelines to eradicate Prohibited Noxious and/or control Noxious weeds andwoody vegetation on Brazeau County owned properties and right-of-ways. This provides for theeradication or control of weeds under Alberta's Weed Control Act; and for the control of

encroaching woody vegetation (brush) in County right-of-ways (ditches).

Policy

A. Brazeau County Vegetation Management program is conducted with the objective toeradicate Prohibited Noxious and/or control Noxious weeds and reduce the growth of

woody vegetation (brush). This will assist in reducing snow accumulation problems;facilitate snow removal, aid in visibility for traffic safety and wildlife crossing.

B. Pesticide applications will be performed by employees of the County and/or bycontractors under direction of the Agricultural Fieldman. Employees and/or contractorsmust hold a valid Pesticide Applicator License. Pesticide applications will adhere to theguidelines set out in the Industrial Vegetation Management Association of Alberta(IVMAA) Industry Standards and Good Practices handbook, and the Environmental Codeof Practices for Pesticides.

C. The vegetation management program wilt be advertised annually.

D. Applications will not be performed within 30 meters of any water course; or visibleshelterbelt, garden, residence, unless spot treatment is required or under a Special UseApproval granted by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

E. No spray areas can be acquired under the guidelines of the "No Spray" Request PolicyAG-23.

F. Brush will be sprayed or mechanically removed to control encroachment which inhibitssnow removal, grading, construction or maintenance of roads.

G. Brush will be removed to improve sightlin^at intersections and along right-of-waysthat may reduce hazards with other traftic and/or wildlife.

Chief Administrative Officer:.Approved By Council: 91/05/22Revision Dates: (y/m/d) 15/Q2/Q3: 08/06/06: 0^/10/10: 04/08/10: 97/05/08Reviewed: 15/02/03: 14/06/23

AG-10 Vegetation Management PolicyPage 1 of 2

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H. Fence Line Herbicide agreement may be entered into with the resident to eradicateProhibited Noxious and/or control Noxious weeds or brush inside the fence line up to

one (1) meter upon signed agreement from the resident to remove vegetation in fencelines adjacent to County right-of-ways.

I. Specific weeds may be targeted from time to time within Brazeau County boundaries.Vegetation control may take place on privately owned land with a custom sprayagreement between the resident and the County.

Chief Administrative Officer:

Approved By Council: 91/05/22Revision Dates; (y/m/d) 15/02/03: 08/06/06: Q6//Q/1Q: Q4/Q8/1Q: 97/05/08Reviewed: 15/02/03: 14/06/23 /

AG-10 Vegetation Management PolicyPage 2 of 2

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MEMORANDUM

AGRICULTURAL FIELDMAN REPORT

FEBRUARY- 2015

BRAZEAU COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BOARD

Administration

• Day to day visits/calls

• Community Services Department meeting

• Council- February 3

• Agriculture Newsletter

• Agri-plex meeting

• Summer staff applications review and setting interview dates

• Regional AAAF meeting- Jan 20

• Executive Meeting – Jan 20

• Provincial ASB conference Jan 20-23

• 10 year capital replacement plan review

• Health and Safety requirements review with supervisors

• Emergency Social Services Forum Meeting- February 9th

Pest Management

• None

Soil Conservation

• None

Roadside Vegetation

• None

Weed Management

• Warburg Seed Cleaning Plant meeting- February 9th

Rural and Community Services

• None

Crop and Forage

• None

Parks and Recreation

• Meeting with campground operators and playground planning

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MEMORANDUM

TO: LISA RABEL, AGRICULTURAL FIELDMAN

FROM: TARA MCGINN, ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL FIELDMAN

SUBJECT: ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL FIELDMAN’S REPORT

DATE: FEBRUARY 18TH, 2015

CC: BRAZEAU COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD

Administration

• Day to day visits/calls

• NW AAAF Regional meeting- January 20th

• Health and Safety requirements review with supervisors – February 3rd

• Community Services meeting – February 4th

Pest Management

• Meet with Dennis Urban, ARD for 1080 tablet replenishment

• Revise soil sampling policy

Roadside Vegetation

• Updating Vegetation Management Plan for 2015 activities

Weed Management

• None

Rural and Community Services

• North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance Forum – February 5th

• Newsletter layout – preparing content for 3 newsletters for 2015

• Workshop planning – Solar-Wind February 19th ;Working Well March 12th

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2015 PROVINCIAL ASB CONFERENCE Evolving With the Changes in Agriculture January20th-23rd, 2015

Hosted by the Central Region at the West Edmonton Mall (Fantasyland)

I think the venue of this size is a good place to hold an event of this nature as there are many things that are very close for all or at least most that are in attendance. The rooms are nice the trade show I enjoyed and the meals were good even the roast beef dinner was very good for this fellow but very rare for a lot of the people!

The Registration went OK the Trade I found was good and the Reception was very good as you network with a lot with a lot of people that you have meet over the years even from other boards we serve on.

The welcome speeches all went just fine even though the Edmonton Mayor was a no show.

Les Kletke did what I think was an excellent job as the master of ceremonies as things were kept on time for the entire conference plus his presentation was excellent.

The first speaker was Simon Anderson (a futurist) an interesting speaker as he spoke on the difficulty with change. Alternatives in normal food (beyond meat!!) Urban Agriculture (vertical farming in Japan) Energy advancements (Solar & Wind power) Wearable technology (Watch that counts your steps) Big Data (Track most anything you want or need) Automation (robots) Synthetic biology Printing (3D printing).

The second speaker was Lyndsey Smith another good speaker with a presentation on Adapting a new Normal and how fast bad news can travel plus fear can be a driver (it takes 11 good statements to correct 1 bad one) Consumer demands drive what we do on the farm (some may be wrong?!?!). Consumers have to understand farmers have to make a profit from their demands!!

The third speaker was Patrick Gordeyko the Chair of the Provincial ASB Committee and talked about the situation of the weeds on the railroad right a ways and possible ways to have them controlled!! He stated that $281,000 was paid out in damages from wildlife!

The fourth speaker was Maureen Vadnais a speaker that spoke on the Resolution Process and why to take the time to have it right!!

The fifth speaker was Dr. Brad Stelfox a good speaker and the topic was The Energy of Land Use from the Buffalo, Fur Trade, Lumber and Coal industry, the mixed farm and the Oil and Gas Industry. The population growth from150000 in 1905 to 4000000 in 2010 and 6% of the population are farmers now!!Alberta has 67million hectors of land in total and 8 million are in cultivation today. The black soil area has a LOT of development around 2% a year!! Recreation uses a LOT of energy!!!

Les Kletke was the sixth speaker on the topic of feeding the Expanding World Population and the amount of land they have in Brazil and the amount they grow and the cost of production. What McDonalds did to the GMO potatoes in Manitoba?

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Candace Vanin P.Ag gave the seventh presentation on Understanding Development Pressures and the Impacts on Agriculture & Food Sector How the SML’s (surface mining leases) for gravel and the FMA’s (forest management agreements) for the timber industries have to be involved in the planning stages and have to include the reclamation of the sites. The period from 2006 to 2011 1.6million acres of farm land was lost in Alberta!! British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec have the ALR (agriculture land reserve) that likely not happen in Alberta

Harry Harker on the topic of not your Father’s Farm was the eighth presenter and talked about Politics, Planning, Economics and Regulation We have to learn from our neighbors (Counties) Municipal boundaries may have to be redefined. Collaboration replaces competition in some of these negotiations. Consider the Agriculture Master Plan. Less Regulations is more!!!!!!!!!

Andrew Campbell was a very good speaker from Ontario and a young Dairy Farmer involves the entire family and how all are using Mobile Technology to monitor and run their operation. They track production and feed rations on their devices. The devices are used on both sides of the operation dairy and cropping. They control some of the yard lights from their phones as well as they also track the markets to try for the best results.

Number ten on the list was Blayne West from Lacombe County on the Benefits & Challenges of Establishing an Environmental Plan and this one was out there a little as something like this takes a long time 5 years or better and all have to be on the same page. The County improving their operation first was a good step to encourage more participation was a good move. The Environmental Policy is a big thing here.

The last and speaker eleven was Dr. Steve Savage a good speaker on Navigating Food Industry Marking Trends and buy food for what it is not. He talked about the misinformation in the publication of the book Wheat Belly. Biotech did not change the food supply. With organic the people down the chain are the ones that are making the money!! Nonexistence has become the norm in a lot of case.

The Resolutions went as we thought and I think we will review at the next board meeting.

At this point these fingers and key board need a lot of time where they are not in the same room so this will end this little report!!!!

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AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BOARD - MEETING SCHEDULE

2015

BUCK CREEK/LINDALE MEETING ROOM

7401 – TWP Road 494

From 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Rate Payer Concerns heard at 11:00 am

February 18, 2015 August 19, 2015

March 12, 2015 September 16, 2015

April 15, 2015 October 21, 2015

May 20, 2015 November 18, 2015

June 17, 2015 December 16, 2015

July 15, 2015 (Cancelled)

Per Diem Rates: Up to Four Hours = $170.00 From Four to Eight Hours = $271.00

Conference Rates = $349.00 per day Mileage Rate - $0.55

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Chief Administrative Officer:_________________________________________________________________________ Approved By Council: 91/05/22 _________________________________________________________________ Revision Dates: (y/m/d) 08/06/06; 04/08/10 ______________________________________________________ Reviewed: 14/06/23_______________________________________________________________________________

AG-9 Soil Sampling

Page 1 of 1

Policy Name Soil Sampling Policy Policy Number AG – 9 Policy Statement The Agricultural Service Board of Brazeau CountyThe Agricultural Service Board recognizes the importance of soil sampling to assess soil fertility and proper fertilizer recommendations. will encourage landowners to undertake Spring and Fall soil sampling. Policy The A.S.B. will encourage a Fall & Spring soil sampling program. The Agricultural field staff may take samples for area producers on a first come, first serve basis, or the farmer can bring their soil samples in. The farmer will pay a subsidized cost as per the Schedule of Fees Bylaw for cost of analysis at time of sampling. Samples and payments will be processed by County staff to ensure delivery to laboratory. The Agricultural Division assists residents by providing a soil probe for soil sampling activities. Laboratory analysis can be facilitated by Agricultural Division staff, and subsidization will be applied as per the Schedule of Fees Bylaw.

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Alberta.ca > Agriculture and Rural Development

Revised Act Continues to Protect Alberta FarmersFrom the February 9, 2015 Issue of Agri-News

Agri-News

This Week

Agri-News Home

The new Farm Implement and Dealership Act will continue to ensure Alberta farmers are treated fairly when purchasing and maintaining farm equipment.

“The Farm Implement and Dealership Act helps protect the investment that Albertan farmers make in farm implements by establishing minimum requirements for sale agreements, warranties, and the availability of spare parts,” said Jeana Les with the Farmers’ Advocate Office (FAO). “The Act also provides a mechanism for resolving disputes regarding farm implements.”

The new Farm Implement and Dealership Act is a blended act combining the old Farm Implement Dealerships Act and the Farm Implement Act. The two acts were combined on December 17, 2014, when Bill 6, the Statutes Amendment Act, received royal assent. Bill 6 also includes numerous changes to sections of the former Farm Implement Act.

“The revised statute addresses gaps in the legislation and adds more clarity. This legislation has been around since the mid-1960s and, like any good legislation, it needs to keep evolving to meet the realities we’re facing. We’ve also taken this opportunity make our Farm Implement and Dealership Act more consistent with equivalent legislation in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Manitoba.”

As the administrator for the Farm Implement and Dealership Act, the FAO provides support to the Farm Implement Board, employs a farm implement inspector, and manages licensing for dealers and distributors. The Farm Implement Board is comprised of three farmers, three industry representatives, and one member appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“The FAO strives to resolve complaints through the Farm Implement Inspector to help limit costs and ensure expediency for affected farmers,” said Les. “In 2013-14, the farm implement inspector spoke with approximately 240 different farmers and agri-business owners, mediated 155 disputes, and completed over 20 farm implement inspections. As a result, the Farm Implement Board did not need to review any disputes in 2013-14.”

More information on these changes is available on the FAO website at www.farmersadvocate.gov.ab.ca. For details on Bill 6, go to www.assembly.ab.ca and look under “Bills and Amendments.” The new legislation will come into force in 2015, once the required amendments to the regulation are completed to align with the amended legislation. Updated copies of the Farm Implement and Dealership Act will also be available on the FAO websiteonce they become available.

Page 1 of 2Revised Act Continues to Protect Alberta Farmers

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For more information, contact the FAO at farmers.advocate@gov.ab.ca or at 310-FARM (3276).

Contact: Jeana Les 780-974-1137

Other Articles From the February 9, 2015 Issue of Agri-News

Winter Wheat and Warm WeatherRevised Act Continues to Protect Alberta Farmers - Current DocumentHow's Your Farm Business's Health?Social Media Boot CampInspiring Rural Leadership Pilot Looking for ParticipantsDirect Market Livestock at the Alberta Farm Fresh School 2015Organic Alberta Annual Conference2015 Livestock Care ConferenceNew Videos Look at the National Beef StrategyEquine First Aid

Agri-News RSS Feed

For more information about the content of this document, contact Jeana Les.This document is maintained by Ken Blackley.This information published to the web on February 2, 2015.

Phone the Ag-Info Centre, toll-free in Alberta at 310-FARM (3276), for agricultural information.

© 2015 Government of Alberta Copyright and Disclaimer

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Alberta.ca > Agriculture and Rural Development

2015 Wheat Midge ForecastAgri-News

This Week

.

Environmental factors affecting midge | Parasitism | Management tools for dealing with midge| Further information links | How the survey was done | Who helped .

The wheat midge forecast for 2015 shows a collapse of the extreme populations in the eastern Peace Region. Caution must be taken in interpreting this due to the potential for residual populations from the very high levels of the 2013 crop year. Wheat midge has not followed our forecasts very well in the Peace region.

Central Alberta has shown a general increase in wheat midge risk with several areas of particular concern east of Edmonton.

The population has fallen to very low numbers in much of southern Alberta with the exception of some irrigated fields in the County of Forty Mile.

Producers should pay attention to midge downgrading in their wheat samples and use this as a further indication of midge risk in their fields. Over the past several years the field to field variation is very considerable throughout the province, especially in those areas with higher counts.

Individual fields throughout Alberta may still have economic levels of midge. Each producer also needs to assess their risk based on indicators specific to their farm.

This forecast is not intended to take the place of individual field monitoring. The forecast for Alberta shows areas of risk for midge damage in 2015. It is important to note that over such a wide range, populations in individual fields can be and often are highly variable. Wheat is susceptible to wheat midge from the time the head is visible, even just a little bit, until anthesis (the anthers sticking out). Producers should plan to monitor their fields when the midge adults are flying and their wheat the susceptible stage. For an individual wheat head this is about a

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week, but for the crop as a whole it would be longer because of later tillers. Regular field scouting on multiple nights in succession is important in understanding the population in a particular field.

Environmental factors affecting midgeAlthough a number of factors influence the overwintering survival of the midge, the survey and map provide a general picture of existing densities and the potential for infestation in 2015. Weather conditions, specifically temperature and moisture will ultimately determine the extent and timing of midge emergence during the growing season. Temperature and wind also play critical roles in egg laying activities of the adult female wheat midge. The level of damage from wheat midge is determined by the synchrony of wheat midge emergence and wheat coupled with the number of wheat midge.

Parasitism

Macroglens penetrans

Parasitism of midge larvae by a small wasp species (Macroglens penetrans) has been important in keeping wheat midge populations below the economic threshold in many areas. These beneficial wasps tend to thrive in warm, dry conditions. Parasite populations increase and decrease with changes in the midge population and are very important in moderating population levels in Alberta.

It is important to understand that once midge has established in an area it unlikely to ever completely disappear. Low lying and moist areas in a field provide a refuge, enabling the population to survive even when conditions are not favorable in the rest of the field. These low population levels, however, also help sustain a population of natural enemies.

Management tools for dealing with midge

seeding earlier crop rotation scouting higher seeding rates

Important linksDiagnostic guide Economic thresholdsLife cycle information Frequently Asked QuestionsMidge tolerant wheat varieities A print version of this mapInsect Pest Monitoring Network - Wheat midge monitoring

Southern Alberta irrigation area forecast map

How the survey was doneThe 2014 fall survey included wheat growing areas throughout Alberta. In total 310 samples were taken from 61 counties. The survey involves taking soil samples from wheat fields after harvest using a standard soil probe. Larval cocoons are washed out of the soil using a specialized series of screens. Larvae are counted, and then dissected to determine if they are parasitized. The midge density displayed on the forecast map is based on viable (live, non-parasitized) midge larvae.

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Who helpedThe wheat midge survey was conducted by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development with assistance from:

Battle River Research Group Chinook Applied Research AssociationFarming Smarter Lakeland Applied Research AssociationMackenzie Applied Research Association Northern Peace Applied Research AssociationSmoky Applied Research and Demonstration Association

Mountain View County

Parkland County County of Two HillsAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Staff

Leduc County

Pest Surveillance Branch, AARD

Thank you David Giffen, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon for building the map.Thank you to the many producers for permission to survey their fields.

Updates of current conditions and wheat midge emergence will be available through the Ag-Info Centre (310 FARM) during the 2014 growing season.

Other Documents in the Series

2015 Wheat Midge Forecast - Current Document2014 Wheat Midge Forecast2013 Wheat Midge Forecast2012 Wheat Midge Forecast2010 Alberta Wheat Midge Forecast2009 Alberta Wheat Midge Forecast2008 Alberta Wheat Midge Forecast2007 Wheat Midge Forecast Map2006 Wheat Midge Map

For more information about the content of this document, contact Scott Meers.This document is maintained by Shelley Barkley.This information published to the web on December 3, 2014. Last Reviewed/Revised on January 5, 2015.

Phone the Ag-Info Centre, toll-free in Alberta at 310-FARM (3276), for agricultural information.

© 2014 - 2015 Government of Alberta Copyright and Disclaimer

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