Manitoba joins Sasksatchewan as the 2nd province to join 27 states
FieldWatch, Inc., a non-profit group supporting communication between beekeepers, crop producers, and pesticide applicators, has announced that Manitoba has become the second Canadian province to join its network.
This move allows Manitoba’s farmers and beekeepers to use online tools like DriftWatch™ and BeeCheck™ to register their crop fields and beehives. These tools help applicators avoid spraying near sensitive areas, reducing the risk of pesticide drift and improving stewardship across the agriculture sector.
Manitoba now joins Saskatchewan, 27 U.S. states, and the District of Columbia in adopting FieldWatch’s secure and voluntary registry system. The platform is free to use and designed to support both commercial and hobby beekeepers, as well as organic and conventional farmers.
“The goal is to get beekeepers and crop producers registered through FieldWatch so applicators can access accurate information before spraying,” said Bob Walters, President and CEO of FieldWatch. “This model has been proven to build good stewardship and communication in agriculture.”
“We’re excited to partner with FieldWatch to make this platform available to both Manitoba farmers and beekeepers,” said Marika Dewar-Norosky, Executive Director of Manitoba Organics. “This partnership offers Manitoba’s agricultural industry another tool to support communication, transparency, and stewardship across the province's leading sector — helping protect organic farms and promote coexistence among diverse farming systems.”
Support for this initiative came from Western Canadian Aerial Ltd., CropLife Canada, the Manitoba Beekeepers Association, and Manitoba’s Organic Development Fund.
"CropLife Canada is proud to support the launch of FieldWatch in Manitoba, reinforcing our commitment to innovation, stewardship and sustainable agriculture. Tools like FieldWatch enhance transparency and collaboration between growers and applicators, helping ensure the responsible use of plant science innovations while supporting the long-term success of Manitoba’s farms,” said Pierre Petelle, President and CEO of CropLife Canada.
With this new partnership, Manitoba continues to lead in supporting safer, smarter agriculture.
Article Update: On May 8, 2025, it was announced that Alberta had also joined FieldWatch.
Alberta's membership decision was especially driven by the needs of producers and beekeepers who wanted to register the locations of their crops and apiaries.
“The Province of Alberta is excited to partner with FieldWatch to make their innovative technology available to Alberta farmers and beekeepers alike,” said Dr. David Feindel, Director of Plant and Bee Health Surveillance, Alberta Agriculture & Irrigation. “This partnership gives our farmers and beekeepers another tool in the toolbox as we work together to ensure the continued success of Alberta’s agriculture industry and make our industry more sustainable by promoting safe, effective and efficient pesticide usage.”
Photo Credit: FieldWatch-logo