Lead Researcher (PI): Kelly Turkington

Institution: Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada

Total WGRF Funding: $10,934

Co-Funders: Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Alberta Pulse Growers Commission, Alberta Wheat Commission, Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers, Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association, Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission

Start Date: 2018

Project Length: 5 Years

Objectives:

1) To establish a Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network that integrates existing disease monitoring and surveillance and reporting activities into an overall monitoring initiative for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba; 2) To develop protocols for scientific-based cereal disease surveys, and protocols for producer or consultant scouting-focused protocols for cereal diseases; 3) To develop weekly or biweekly forecasts of potential movement of cereal rust spores from the USA into the prairie region; 4) To facilitate the development of GIS mapping capacity for disease surveillance results; and 5) To assist non-cluster collaborators with training and resources to ensure sufficient expertise and capacity exist for adequate annual surveillance activities by a range of stakeholders.