The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (PPMN), launched a new website today, Prairiepest.ca. The PPMN is a prairie-wide insect pest monitoring group that provides valuable information, predicts insect risks, monitors insect populations and offers information to growers and agronomists to help them scout for pests, time their scouting activities and to make decisions about using chemical controls.

“We are really excited to be launching this new website,” said Dr. Meghan Vankosky, a research scientist in the field crop entomology department with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Co-Chair of the PPMN. “The goal of the network has always been to provide important and timely information to growers and agronomists.  This new website helps us to improve communication and engagement with the industry.”

The PPMN was developed 24 years ago after insect researchers at western Canadian universities, provincial agriculture departments and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada identified the need for a more coordinated approach in monitoring insect populations and conducting entomological research.

“The new site expands the functionality of the previous PPMN Blog,” says Jennifer Otani, pest management biologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and other Co-Chair of the PPMN. “The new site design allows users to quickly and easily navigate the site to find the information they need.”

The PPMN also provides free weekly updates via email during the growing season. The updates alert subscribers to risks of major pests, offers tips on scouting methods and provides information on when in-field scouting activities should be conducted.  Producers and agronomists across western Canada have found this local, scientific information critical in making informed crop production decisions.

“The PPMN is a valuable resource for farmers, agronomist and scientists,” says Garth Patterson Executive Director, Western Grains Research Foundation. “WGRF is pleased to support the PPMN in the development of this new website. Producer groups, including the Western Grains Research Foundation, SaskWheat, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, SaskCanola, Prairie Oat Growers Association, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers, Manitoba Canola Growers, and Alberta Wheat currently collaborate with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, through the Canada Agricultural Partnership, to fund the PPMN. Many other organizations have been involved over the years to support this valuable initiative. Pest issues are prairie-wide, so it makes sense to have a prairie-wide perspective.”  

To view the new site and to sign up for weekly updates please visit Prairiepest.ca.