The Insect Pest Monitoring Network is a prairie-wide, coordinated insect monitoring program designed to keep the Canadian agriculture industry informed of the risks to crop production from pest species and to highlight and conserve their natural enemies. The Insect Pest Monitoring Network provides weekly risk warnings in map format and are accompanied by interpretive text for use by farmers, extension personnel, pesticide applicators and pesticide manufacturers.

When insect pest outbreaks occur in one area their impact may eventually be felt across a much larger region. “WGRF is proud to be co-funding the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network,” says Garth Patterson, WGRF Executive Director. “These updates alert western Canadian producers to the need for changing crop plans or looking at economic thresholds for insecticide application. The data from this project will also contribute to the development of future beneficial management practices.”

To view these updates visit www.westernforum.org/IPMNWeeklyUpdates.html

The Insect Pest Monitoring Network is supported by the following partners:

o   Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

o   AAFC – Pest Management Centre

o   AAFC – Matching Investment Initiative

o   Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

o   Alberta Canola Producers Commission

o   BC Grain Producers Association

o   Canola Council of Canada

o   Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives

o   Manitoba Canola Growers Association

o   Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

o   Saskatchewan Crop Insurance

o   SaskCanola

o   University of Alberta

o   Western Grains Research Foundation

-30-

For further information, contact:

Mike Espeseth
Communications Manager
Western Grains Research Foundation
306-975-0365
MikeEspeseth@westerngrains.com