Prairie farmers should be on the lookout as a disease known to cause issues in a variety of crops is a key concern.
That's why experts are asking producers to keep a close eye out for the signs that the disease might be in their fields.
Crops Extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Eileen Beaton talks about the disease.
"Fusarium head blight, often referred to as FHB, is a fungal disease that affects cereals and some forage grasses. Saskatchewan's most affected crops are durum, spring wheat and barley. FHB can cause many issues such as decreased yields or poorer grade and quality. It is most likely to arise in warm, moist conditions during flowering and can be recognized as early bleaching of spikelets."
"If FHB occurs at early flowering, the kernel may die; if it is later in the flowering period, it may become a damaged kernel. Grain buyers have a low tolerance for FHB contamination."
Beaton says producers have a number of options for managing FHB, ranging from chemical to logistical methods.
"These can include using a seed treatment, rotating crops, planting a crop variety less susceptible to FHB, only growing cereals in a field once every three years, and using a fungicide when disease pressures are high. When harvesting, they can adjust combine air speeds and openings to blow out the lighter damaged kernels. Cleaning grain afterwards can also help to remove these kernels."
"If a producer is interested in learning more about FHB, they can attend Agronomy Research Update where there will be an expert panel discussion. Otherwise, they can view the Government of Saskatchewan webpage on FHB or call the Ag Knowledge Center to speak to a crops extension specialist in their region."
That update will be a chance for producers to learn more about common and recent threats to production, with Beaton inviting them to take part.
Agronomy Research Update is offered both online and in-person at TCU Place in Saskatoon over a two-day period on Dec. 10-11. Agronomists, producers, industry and retail attendees will have the opportunity to learn about what happened during the 2024 growing season and the potential impact in 2025, as well as the latest research impacting agriculture in the province. There will be a variety of experts speaking with focused sessions on diseases, soils, herbicides and insects."
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