14 Jan Agronomy Update – January 14th

Posted at 16:13h in Recent News by

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well.  It seems like “meeting season” is moving into high gear at the moment. Lots of workshops, webinars and conferences on the agenda from a number of different organizations.  Below, you’ll see details on our first AIM Winter Workshops next week, as well as some additional info items to pass along.

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Colorado Potato Beetles – Insecticide Efficacy

In 2025, the AIM Science & Tech Working Group partnered with Atlantic AgriTech in New Annan to take a look at the relative efficacy of different insecticides for combatting Colorado potato beetles (CPB). In recent insect surveys, we’ve seen evidence of decreased effectiveness of the neonic products (Titan or Actara) that are commonly used. More growers are having to spray a foliar insecticide one or more times during the year to get effective CPB control.

The full summary of our 2025 research report is available on the Reports page on the PEI Potato Agronomy website. Here are a few highlights:

  • Cimegra, Minecto Pro, Coragen and Vayego has statistically similar levels of control.
  • Delegate was also effective as an early knock-down insecticide, but CPB numbers came back more quickly than with the other chemistries.
  • Delegate (Group 5) still may have a role in CPB control strategies but may be better suited to a 2nd or 3rd spray when rotating chemistries.
  • Cimegra and Delegate showed the most immediate kill on larvae, but all chemistries were highly effective within 5-7 days of application.

A couple additional things to keep in mind when thinking about your CPB IPM strategy going forward:

  • It is recommended to not use a chemistry from the same group in back-to-back treatments, so that we can try and hold off insecticide resistance. For example, if you use Vayego on the first spray, don’t use Coragen on the second spray, because they are both Group 28 insecticides. Also, it isn’t advised to use foliar neonic products if you are already using Titan or Actara at planting.
  • A good scouting strategy is important for managing CPB.  As the beetles generally move into the field from the edges of the field, it might only be necessary to spray the outside of the field to control CPB while not using product unnecessarily.

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AIM Winter Workshops – January 21/22

Our first set of AIM Winter Workshops is planned for January 21st and 22nd.  The primary topic will be Cover Crop Selection, including both full season and fall cover crops. I will be the primary speaker, but I will be inviting some growers and industry partners who have been successful with cover crops to share their experiences at these regional meetings.  Also, I’ll have a limited number of Cover Crop and Forage Species posters developed by Perennia to hand out to those that want one!

Dates and Locations:

Wednesday, January 21st – 9:00 am                Emerald Community Centre, Emerald
Wednesday, January 21st – 1:30 pm                Elite Seed Farm, Fox Island
Thursday, January 22nd – 9:00 am                    Riverhouse Inn, Montague

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Dal AC Career Fair – February 12th

I will be attending the Dal AC Aggie WIL Career Fair on February 12th in Truro on behalf of the Board.  If you are a grower or dealer who is looking for summer students or new hires and you have a job description you want to send along, I’d be happy to include it at our table. Contact me for additional information.

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Earn $50 For Your Thoughts on Fertilizer

Fertilizer Canada is contacting you to learn about fertilizer practices on your farm. We know that your time is valuable, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.  We will be sending you a cheque for $50 when you complete the survey on behalf of Fertilizer Canada and the PEI Potato Board.

Your feedback will be used by the industry to shape fertilizer practices on PEI. The information you provide is completely confidential.

To qualify you must be one of the main decision makers for the fertilizer program on your farm and you must have planted at least 20 acres of potatoes in 2025.

Please click on the link below to begin the survey now: https://survey.us.confirmit.com/wix/p152521582015.aspx

If you have any questions or comments, please send an email to Sarah Healy (sarahhealy@stratusresearch.com)

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Other Upcoming Meetings/Workshops/Conferences:

 

January 23                      PEI Federation of Agriculture AGM, Charlottetown

February 5                      New Brunswick Potato Conference, Woodstock

February 26-27            International Potato Tech Expo, Charlottetown

March 4                            PEISCIA Conference, Summerside

March 5                            PEI Cereals & Oilseeds Conference, Summerside

March 10                         AIM Local Workshops, Emerald (AM) and Fox Island (PM)

March 11                         AIM Local Workshops, Montague (AM)

March 24-25                  Northeast Potato Tech Forum, Charlottetown