Tag: Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

Welcome Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

Reminder – Last week, the Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) launched a new website at PrairieCropDisease.com. The PCDMN is a coordinated field crop disease monitoring program for the Prairies, focusing on providing timely information about crop diseases and highlighting effective disease management strategies.

“We are really excited to be launching this new website,” said project lead Dr. Kelly Turkington, Plant Pathologist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre. “The goal of the network has always been to provide important and timely information to growers and agronomists. By enhancing the functionality of our PCDMN Blog, this new website will greatly improve our communication and engagement, ensuring that stakeholders have access to the latest research and disease management strategies.”

The PCDMN is composed of field crop pathologists who conduct research and actively monitor field crop diseases on the Canadian Prairies. The network includes researchers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Manitoba Agriculture, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Alberta Agriculture & Irrigation, and Prairie-based universities.

“The PCDMN is a valuable resource for farmers, agronomists, and scientists,” says Wayne Thompson, Executive Director of the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF). “We are proud to have funded the development of this new website. With this launch, WGRF has successfully developed websites for the three major pest monitoring networks in Western Canada—Insects, Weeds, and Disease. These networks play a crucial role in providing the information needed to anticipate and manage major crop threats.”

The PCDMN also provides weekly updates via email during the growing season. The updates alert subscribers to crop disease risks and management. To view the new site and to sign up for weekly updates please visit PrairieCropDisease.com

Many other organizations have been involved over the years to support this valuable initiative with the 2023-2028 funders including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, WGRF, Alberta Canola, Alberta Grains, Alberta Innovates, Manitoba Crop Alliance, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, Manitoba Canola Growers, Prairie Oat Growers Association, RDAR, Sask Canola, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission.

Weather synopsis

This week’s weather summary was kindly provided by the Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN).

Growing season temperatures have been marginally warmer than average while rainfall amounts continue to be above average. This past week (June 10-16, 2024) temperatures were very similar to climate normal values. The average temperature across the prairies was 14.4 °C (Figure 1). Warmest temperatures were observed across most of Manitoba. Average cumulative seven day rainfall was 29.4 mm. Lowest rainfall values were observed across most of Alberta as well as southern regions of Manitoba and Saskatchewan (Figure 2).

**Figure 1**. Seven day average temperature (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies for the period of June 10-16, 2024.

**Figure 2**. Seven day cumulative rainfall (mm) observed across the Canadian prairies for the period of June 10-16, 2024.

Relative to climate normals, average temperatures have been cooler than normal over the past few weeks. The average 30 day temperature (May 18 – June 16, 2024) was 12 °C and was 1°C cooler than the long term average temperature. The warmest temperatures were continue to be south of an area extending from Winnipeg to Saskatoon and southwest to Lethbridge (Figure 3). Most of the prairies have reported 30 day rainfall amounts were normal to above normal. Average cumulative rainfall (mm) over the past 30 days was 78 mm and is 164% of climate normal values. Rainfall amounts were lowest across Alberta (Figure 4). Provincial 30 day values were 60 mm, 77 mm and 120 mm for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

**Figure 3**. 30 day average temperature (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies for the period of May 18 – June 16, 2024.

**Figure 4**. 30 day cumulative rainfall (mm) observed across the Canadian prairies for the period of May 18– June 16, 2024.

Since April 1, the 2024 growing season has been 0.5 °C warmer than average. Warmest average temperatures were observed across a region extending from Winnipeg to Saskatoon and southwest to Lethbridge (Figure 5). Growing season rainfall has been above normal across most of the prairies (Figure 6). Only a few, limited, regions have had normal or below normal growing season rainfall (Figure 6 – areas highlighted yellow, orange). Rain amounts have been 191% of climate normals. Cumulative rainfall has been greatest for most of Manitoba and the Parkland region of Saskatchewan (Figure 7).

**Figure 5**. Growing season average temperature difference from climate normal (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies for the period of April 1 – June 16, 2024.

Figure 6. Growing season percent of normal rain (%) observed across the Canadian prairies from April 1 to June 16, 2024.

**Figure 7**. Growing season cumulative rainfall (mm) observed across the Canadian prairies for the period of April 1 – June 16, 2024.

Growing degree day (GDD) maps for the Canadian prairies for Base 5 ºC and Base 10 ºC (April 1-June 17 2024) can be viewed by clicking the hyperlinks. Over the past 7 days (to June 19, 2024), the lowest temperatures recorded across the Canadian prairies ranged from < -3 to > 8 °C while the highest temperatures observed ranged from < 12 to >27 °C. In terms of precipitation across the Canadian prairies, review the growing season accumulated precipitation (April 1-June 19, 2024), the growing season percent of average precipitation (April 1-June 19, 2024), and the past 7 days (as of June 19, 2024). Interestingly, northerly areas of the Peace River region in both BC and Alberta are the only areas of the prairies to experience > 1 day of >25 °C weather so far this growing season (April1-June 19, 2024). Access these maps and more using the AAFC Maps of Historic Agroclimate Conditions interface.

Growers can bookmark the AAFC Maps of Current Agroclimate Conditions for the growing season. Historical weather data can be accessed at the AAFC Drought Watch Historical website, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Historical Data website, or your provincial weather network. The AAFC Canadian Drought Monitor also provides geospatial maps updated monthly.

Welcome Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

This week, the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network is excited to promote the official launch of the Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network’s official website, PrairieCropDisease.com!

The Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) launched a new website today at PrairieCropDisease.com. The PCDMN is a coordinated field crop disease monitoring program for the Prairies, focusing on providing timely information about crop diseases and highlighting effective disease management strategies.

Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

The Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) represents the combined effort of our prairie pathologists who work together to support in-field disease management in field crops.

In 2019, the PCDMN will release a series of weekly Cereal Rust Risk Reports throughout May and June. Information related to trajectory events based on forecast and diagnostic wind fields and cereal rust risk is experimental, and is OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Background: Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have been working together to study the potential of trajectories for monitoring insect movements since the late 1990s. Trajectory models are used to deliver an early-warning system for the origin and destination of migratory invasive species, such as diamondback moth. In addition, plant pathologists have shown that trajectories can assist with the prediction of plant disease infestations and are also beginning to utilize these same data. An introduction will be presented of efforts to identify wind trajectory events that may bring rust urediniospores into Western Canada from epidemic areas in the central and Pacific northwest (PNW) regions of the USA. Identification of potential events as well as an assessment of epidemic severity from source locations, and prairie weather conditions, will be used to assess the need for prompt targeted crop scouting for at-risk regions of the Canadian Prairies.

Two documents are available from the PCDMN:

Summary of wind trajectory and cereal rust risk assessment and the need for in-crop scouting in the Prairie region, June 18-24, 2019:

1. Pacific Northwest – Currently there is limited stripe rust development in the PNW, although there has been a moderate number of recent wind trajectories from the PNW. Rainfall did occur in SK and some regions of Alberta. Winter wheat is progressing into heading and beyond, and spring wheat is moving from the stem elongation stage to flag leaf emergence. Thus, as of June 24, 2019, the risk of stripe rust appearance from the PNW is relatively low and scouting for this disease is not urgent.

2. Texas-Oklahoma corridor – In general, crops are advancing towards maturity, while in many areas of Texas and Oklahoma crops have been harvested or are being harvested, and thus winter wheat crops in these areas are less of a source of rust inoculum. There were no recent wind trajectories from this area, while rainfall did occur in SK and some regions of Alberta. Winter wheat is progressing into heading and beyond, and spring wheat is moving from the stem elongation stage to flag leaf emergence. Thus, as of June 24, 2019, the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Texas-Oklahoma corridor is low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent.

3. Kansas-Nebraska corridor – Kansas crops are starting to mature with harvesting starting in some regions. In Nebraska, leaf and stripe rust development continues, and thus over the next few weeks this region could act as a significant source of rust inoculum for the Prairie region. From June 18-24, 2019 there has been a low-moderate number of wind trajectories from this area. Rainfall did occur in SK and some regions of Alberta, while winter wheat is progressing into heading and beyond, and spring wheat is moving from the stem elongation stage to flag leaf emergence. Thus, as of June 24, 2019, the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Kansas-Nebraska corridor is relatively low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent. Although further development of rust in Nebraska may increase the risk, the crop will soon start to progress towards maturity and will become less of a source of the cereal rusts. It should be noted that rust symptoms have been observed in research plots in St. Paul, MN (Cereal Rust Survey, CEREAL-RUST-SURVEY@LISTS.UMN.EDU, Dr. O. Fajolu, USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Lab, June 18, 2019). Stripe and leaf rust have also been observed in research plots at the South Dakota State University Research Farm, while no rust was observed in commercial fields in southeastern and southcentral regions of the SD (Cereal Rust Survey, CEREAL-RUST-SURVEY@LISTS.UMN.EDU, Dr. E. Byamukama, South Dakota State University, June 18, 2019).

4. Currently, we are not aware of reports of stripe or leaf rust in commercial fields of winter or spring wheat across the Prairie region.

5. Access the full downloadable report.

Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

The Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) represents the combined effort of our prairie pathologists who work together to support in-field disease management in field crops.

Two documents are available from the PCDMN:

Summary of wind trajectory and cereal rust risk assessment and the need for in-crop scouting in the Prairie region, June 11-17, 2019:

1. Pacific Northwest – Currently there is limited stripe rust development in the PNW, a low number of recent wind trajectories from the PNW, and relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, while winter wheat is progressing into heading and beyond, and spring wheat is moving into the stem elongation stage. Thus, as of June 17, 2019, the risk of stripe rust appearance from the PNW is relatively low and scouting for this disease is not urgent.

2. Texas-Oklahoma corridor – In general, crops are advancing towards maturity, while in many areas of Texas harvesting has been completed, and thus winter wheat crops in these areas will become less of a source of rust inoculum. There has been a limited number of recent wind trajectories from this area, relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, while winter wheat is progressing into heading and beyond, and spring wheat is moving into the stem elongation stage. Thus, as of June 17, 2019, the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Texas-Oklahoma corridor is low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent.

3. Kansas-Nebraska corridor – Leaf and stripe rust development in winter wheat continues in Kansas, although the winter crop is starting to turn colour in many regions. Although rusts have only been recently reported in Nebraska, levels are on the rise, and thus over the next few weeks this region could act as a significant source of rust inoculum for the Prairie region. From June 11-17, 2019 there has been a low number of wind trajectories from this area. In general, weather conditions have been relatively dry across the Prairies, while winter wheat is progressing into heading and beyond, and spring wheat is moving into the stem elongation stage. Thus, as of June 17, 2019, the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Kansas-Nebraska corridor is relatively low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent; however, further development of rust Nebraska may increase the risk.

4. Where farmers or consultants noticed stripe rust development on winter wheat in the fall of 2018 it is recommended to scout winter wheat fields this spring. Scouting is especially critical where the variety being grown is susceptible to stripe rust. Currently, there are no reports of stripe rust in commercial fields of winter or spring wheat across the Prairie region.

5. Access the full downloadable report.

Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

The Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) represents the combined effort of our prairie pathologists who work together to support in-field disease management in field crops.

This week, two documents are available from the PCDMN:

Summary of wind trajectory and cereal rust risk assessment and the need for in-crop scouting in the Prairie region, June 4-10, 2019:

1. Pacific Northwest – Currently there is limited stripe rust development in the PNW, a moderate-high number of recent wind trajectories from the PNW, relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and generally early stages of Prairie crop development, especially in spring cereals. Thus, as of June 10, 2019, the risk of stripe rust appearance from the PNW is relatively low and scouting for this disease is not urgent.

2. Texas-Oklahoma corridor –In general, crops are advancing towards maturity, while in many areas of Texas harvesting has been completed, and thus will become less of a source of rust inoculum. There has been a limited number of recent wind trajectories from this area, relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and generally early stages of Prairie spring crop development. Thus, as of June 10, 2019, the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Texas-Oklahoma corridor is low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent.

3. Kansas-Nebraska corridor –Leaf and stripe rust development in winter wheat continues in Kansas, although the winter crop is starting to turn colour in some regions. Although rusts have only been recently reported in Nebraska, levels are on the rise, and thus over the next few weeks this region could act as a significant source of rust inoculum for the Prairie region. From June 4-10, 2019 there has been a low-moderate number of wind trajectories from this area. In general, weather conditions have been relatively dry across the Prairies with generally early stages of Prairie crop development depending on the region. Thus, as of June 10, 2019, the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Kansas-Nebraska corridor is relatively low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent; however, further development of rust in these regions, especially Nebraska, may increase the risk.

4. Where farmers or consultants noticed stripe rust development on winter wheat in the fall of 2018, it is recommended to scout winter wheat fields this spring. Scouting is especially critical where the variety being grown is susceptible to stripe rust. Currently, there are no reports of stripe rust in commercial fields of winter or spring wheat across the Prairie region.

5. Access the full downloadable report.

Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

The Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) represents the combined effort of our prairie pathologists who work together to support in-field disease management in field crops.

This week, two documents are available from the PCDMN:

Summary of wind trajectory and cereal rust risk assessment and the need for in-crop scouting in the Prairie region, May 28 – June 3, 2019:

1. Pacific Northwest – Currently there is limited stripe rust development in the PNW, a low-moderate number of recent wind trajectories from the PNW, cool and relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and generally early stages of Prairie crop development, especially in spring cereals. Thus, as of June 3, 2019, the risk of stripe rust appearance from the PNW is limited and scouting for this disease is not urgent.

2. Texas-Oklahoma corridor – In general, crops are advancing towards maturity and thus will become less of a source of rust inoculum. There have been no recent wind trajectories from this area, cool and relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and generally early stages of Prairie spring crop development. Thus, as of June 3, 2019, the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Texas-Oklahoma corridor is low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent.

3. Kansas-Nebraska corridor – Although leaf and stripe rust development continues in Kansas with a recent report of stripe rust in Nebraska, it is at low-moderate levels, although there have been reports of elevated levels in regions of Kansas. There have been no recent wind trajectories from this area, cool and relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and generally early stages of Prairie crop development. Thus, as of June 3, 2019, the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Kansas-Nebraska corridor is low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent, but further development of rust in these regions may increase the risk.

4. Where farmers or consultants noticed stripe rust development on winter wheat in the fall of 2018, it is recommended to scout winter wheat fields that have resumed growth this spring. Scouting is especially critical where the variety being grown is susceptible to stripe rust. Currently, there are no early spring reports of stripe rust on commercial fields of winter wheat in the prairie region.

5. Access the full downloadable report.

Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

The Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) represents the combined effort of our prairie pathologists who work together to support in-field disease management in field crops.

This week, two documents are available from the PCDMN:

Synopsis of May 21-27, 2019, Weekly Cereal Rust Risk Report:

1. Pacific Northwest – Given limited stripe rust development in the PNW, a low number of recent wind trajectories from the PNW, cool and relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and generally early stages of Prairie crop development, as of May 27, 2019, the risk of stripe rust appearance from the PNW is limited and scouting for this disease is not urgent.

2. Texas-Oklahoma corridor – Although leaf and stripe rust development continues in this corridor, especially Oklahoma, the disease is mainly affecting the lower canopy at generally low levels. In addition, crops are advancing towards maturity and thus will become less of a source of rust inoculum. There have been a low number of recent wind trajectories from this area, cool and relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and generally early stages of Prairie crop development. Thus, as of May 27, 2019 the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Texas-Oklahoma corridor is low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent.

3. Kansas-Nebraska corridor – Although leaf and stripe rust development continues in Kansas, it is at low-moderate levels and mainly in the middle portions of crop canopies. There have been a low-moderate number of recent wind trajectories from this area, cool and relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and generally early stages of Prairie crop development. Thus, as of May 27, 2019 the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Kansas-Nebraska corridor is low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent, but further development of rust in these regions may increase the risk.

5. Access the full downloadable report.

Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

The Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) represents the combined effort of our prairie pathologists who work together to support in-field disease management in field crops.

This week, two documents are available from the PCDMN:

Synopsis of May 21, 2019, Weekly Cereal Rust Risk Report:
Wind trajectory and cereal rust risk assessment and need for in-crop scouting in the Prairie region, May 21, 2019.

1. Pacific Northwest – Given limited stripe rust development in the PNW, a low number of recent wind trajectories from the PNW, cool and relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and early stages of Prairie crop development, as of May 21, 2019, the risk of stripe rust appearance from the PNW is limited and scouting for this disease is not urgent.

2. Texas-Oklahoma corridor – Although leaf and stripe rust development continues in this corridor, especially Oklahoma, the disease is mainly affecting the lower canopy at generally low levels. In addition, crops are advancing towards maturity and thus will become less of a source of rust inoculum. There have been a low number of recent wind trajectories from this area, cool and relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and early stages of Prairie crop development. Thus, as of May 21, 2019 the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Texas-Oklahoma corridor is low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent.

3. Kansas-Nebraska corridor – Although leaf and stripe rust development continues in this corridor, it is at low-moderate levels and mainly in the middle portions of crop canopies, recent moisture conditions may promote further development. There have been a low number of recent wind trajectories from this area, cool and relatively dry Prairie weather conditions, and early stages of Prairie crop development. Thus, as of May 21, 2019 the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Kansas-Nebraska corridor is low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent, but further development of rust in these regions may increase the risk.

4. Where farmers or consultants noticed stripe rust development on winter wheat in the fall of 2018, it is recommended to scout winter wheat fields that have resumed growth this spring. Scouting is especially critical where the variety being grown is susceptible to stripe rust. Currently, there are no early spring reports of stripe rust on winter wheat.

5. Access the full downloadable report.

Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network

New for 2019 – The Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) represents the combined effort of our prairie pathologists who work together to support in-field disease management in field crops.

This week, two documents are available from the PCDMN:

Synopsis of May 14, 2019, Weekly Cereal Rust Risk Report:

Wind trajectory and cereal rust risk assessment and need for in-crop scouting in the Prairie region, May 14, 2019

1. Pacific Northwest – Given limited stripe rust development in the PNW, a low number of recent wind trajectories from the PNW, cool Prairie weather conditions, and early stages of Prairie crop development, as of May 14, 2019, the risk of stripe rust appearance from the PNW is limited and scouting for this disease is not urgent.

2. Texas-Nebraska corridor – Although leaf and stripe rust development continues in this corridor, the disease is mainly affecting the lower canopy at generally low levels. There has been a low number of recent wind trajectories from this area, cool Prairie weather conditions, and early stages of Prairie crop development. As of May 14, 2019 the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Texas-Nebraska corridor is low and scouting for these diseases is not urgent.

3. Where farmers or consultants noticed stripe rust development on winter wheat in the fall of 2018, it is recommended to scout winter wheat fields that have resumed growth this spring. Scouting is especially critical where the variety being grown is susceptible to stripe rust. Currently, there are no early spring reports of stripe rust on winter wheat.

4. Access the full downloadable report.

Weekly Update

Greetings!

A busy week – seeding is underway across the prairies! Our many field crop entomologists and their integral cooperators are busy deploying various insect monitoring equipment in fields too.

This week marks the return of the Insect of the Week for the 2019 growing season! The initial four weeks will feature invasive species of insects then we will transition to arthropod doppelgangers in an effort to support in-field scouting efforts with identification tips.

The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network is also excited to support the new Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN) by promoting their 2019 Cereal Rust Risk Report. This is a new initiative and reports will be available to support in-field scouting.

Access the complete Weekly Update either as a series of Posts for Week 05 (May 9, 2019) OR a downloadable PDF version is available.

Questions or problems accessing the contents of this Weekly Update? Please e-mail either Dr. Meghan Vankosky or Jennifer Otani. Past “Weekly Updates” can be accessed on our Weekly Update page.

Subscribe to the Blog by following these easy steps!

Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN)

Background: Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have been working together to study the potential of trajectories for monitoring insect movements since the late 1990s. Trajectory models are used to deliver an early-warning system for the origin and destination of migratory invasive species, such as diamondback moth. In addition, plant pathologists have shown that trajectories can assist with the prediction of plant disease infestations and are also beginning to utilize these same data. An introduction will be presented of efforts to identify wind trajectory events that may bring rust urediniospores into Western Canada from epidemic areas in the central and Pacific northwest (PNW) regions of the USA. Identification of potential events as well as an assessment of epidemic severity from source locations, and prairie weather conditions, will be used to assess the need for prompt targeted crop scouting for at-risk regions of the Canadian Prairies.

This week, two documents are available from the PCDMN:

Synopsis of May 7, 2019, Weekly Cereal Rust Risk Report:

1. Pacific Northwest – Given limited stripe rust development in the PNW, a relatively low number of recent wind trajectories from the PNW, cool Prairie weather conditions, and early stages of Prairie crop development, as of early May the risk of stripe rust appearance from the PNW is limited and scouting for this disease is not urgent.

2. Texas-Nebraska corridor – Given limited leaf and stripe rust development in this corridor, a relatively low number of recent wind trajectories from this area, cool Prairie weather conditions, and early stages of Prairie crop development, as of early May the risk of leaf and stripe rust appearance from the Texas-Nebraska corridor is limited and scouting for these diseases is not urgent.