Tracking Prairie Pests: Insights from the Environmental Farm Plan Technicians Day
At last week’s Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Technicians Day, Jennifer Otani from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada shared the latest updates from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (PPMN) — a prairie-wide collaboration that tracks major insect pests across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
The PPMN supports producers and agrologists with regional pest data, maps, and scouting tools for key species such as grasshoppers, bertha armyworm, pea leaf weevil, and wheat midge. This information helps guide pest management decisions, reduce unnecessary pesticide use, and protect both yield and soil health.
The network brings together federal and provincial researchers, producer cooperators, and extension staff to collect and share field data throughout the growing season. Regular updates help producers anticipate pest pressures in their area and time scouting or control measures more effectively.
If you’re planning next year’s crop protection strategy or updating your EFP, these free resources can help you stay informed and ready for the 2025 growing season.
Pest Management Resources:
Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (PPMN) - prairiepest.ca
Weekly updates, risk maps, monitoring protocols, and field guides for prairie-wide pests.
Alberta Agriculture & Irrigation
Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network: Provincial insect surveillance and survey maps.
Crop Insect Resources: Fact sheets and monitoring information for Alberta’s key crop pests.
📞 310-FARM (3276) – Call for help connecting with pest and crop specialists.
