Monday, October 20, 2014

Spring 2017

ASB Members Council Jim Matthews (Chairperson) Wade Lindseth Gerald Kuefler (Reeve) Gunnar Albrecht Gary Matthiessen James Brodie Rick Manning

Appointed Members Colin Matthiessen David Hihn Garret Jackson Howard Shield

Agricultural Department Kevin MacDonald - Agricultural Fieldman

Kelsey Fenton - Assistant Agricultural Fieldman

Corey Stuber - Agricultural Foreman

Wanja Nordin - Administrative Assistant

Call: 780-384-4118

www.flagstaff.ab.ca

Spring 2017

Agricultural Service Board Newsletter

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Insect Survey Results 2

New Noxious Weed 2

Black Knot Widespread 3

Weed Spotlight 3

Farm Safety Tips 4 on right-of-ways

Resolving

Much like the practice itself, the issue of agricultural encroachment has slowly crept up over the years.

Nowadays, farming upon developed and undeveloped municipal right-of-ways is commonplace across the Flagstaff Region.

Unfortunately, this practice produces several challenges for County crews. For the Public Works department, agricultural encroachment can restrict the ability to provide roadway drainage improvements, as well as interfere with the ability to maintain road allowances. For Agricultural Services crews, encroachment on right-of-ways can create difficulties with mowing and weed control.

From observations by staff and concerns brought forth by the public, six categories of right-of-way encroachment were identified: 1. Cropping through an undeveloped

right-of-way. 2. Cropping onto a developed right-of-

way; 3. Grazing onto a developed right-of-way

where a fence encroaches upon the road allowance;

4. Grazing undeveloped right-of-ways; 5. Cropping upon a right-of-way after the

County has removed brush along the right-of-way to accommodate field access for large agricultural equipment;

6. Unauthorized removal of brush along an undeveloped right-of-way.

As recommended by the Agricultural Service Board, County Council has adopted the following three standards:

• The minimal acceptable standard allowed for cultivation and planting of annual and perennial crops adjacent to a developed road will be one metre set back from the “toe” of the slope of the developed road.

• Any landowner/tenant agriculturally encroaching upon a developed right-of-way will be notified to stay a minimum of one metre from the “toe” of the slope or further dependent upon circumstances.

• In addition, any crops found within the right-of-way as a result of non-compliance by the landowner/tenant will be removed as part of the County’s regular vegetation control program.

Agricultural Service Board Newsletter Page 2

Help available for pesticide certification

Did you know that Flagstaff County can assist farmers in obtaining the certification necessary to acquire the toxicant aluminum phosphide? Contact Agricultural Fieldman Kevin MacDonald by phone at 780-384-4138 or via email at kmacdonald@flagstaff.ab.ca.

What’s bugging Flagstaff County: Insect Survey Results Crop-eating insects have

been taking a smaller bite out of Flagstaff fields. That’s according to the results from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s 2016 insect survey.

The provincial bug counters tallied low levels of wheat midge and bertha armyworm during last year’s tests.

They warn that bertha armyworm is very cyclical. In order to catch outbreaks and help producers minimize losses, it is necessary to

maintain a good monitoring system using pheromone traps.

Meanwhile, pea leaf weevil fields showed weevil damage

at moderate levels.

“This will mean that pea producers should be using insecticide seed treatment,”

according to the summary for the Flagstaff Region.

The survey also found that Flagstaff’s wheat

stem sawfly population

appears to be on the

decline from parasitism and

fungal diseases. The wheat stem

sawfly is not expected to cause any significant damage in 2017.

Legal Land Location Trap Total Trap Average

SW-16-42-13-W4 110 55

SW-26-42-15-W4 31 15.5

NE-7-45-15-W4 173 86.5

SE-2-43-15-W4 206 103

Bertha Armyworm

Legal Land Location Avg node stage Total Notches Average Notches per plant

SW-15-39-12-W4 5.3 100 2

NE-33-40-10-W4 5.96 437 8.74

NE-33-44-10-W4 4.74 146 2.92

NW-28-45-13-W4 6 1 0.02

SE-13-42-14-W4 5.38 93 1.86

NW-20-48-13-W4 4.78 35 0.7

SW-32-39-12-W4 4.84 1581 31.62

Pea Leaf Weevil

Absinthe wormwood designated a noxious weed Absinthe wormwood, a weed known for its strong

unpleasant odor and silvery-grey foliage, has been designated a “noxious weed” in Flagstaff County.

County Council approved the elevation of absinthe wormwood’s status (Bylaw 09/16) at a regular meeting in March under guidelines set out by Alberta’s Weed Control Act and Weed Control Regulation.

Over the past five years, there has been a marked increase in the number of infestations of absinthe wormwood throughout the region. Realizing the potential threat this weed may pose to landowners, Flagstaff County deemed it essential to designate absinthe wormwood as a noxious weed.

Also known by its scientific name Artemisia absinthium, the semi-woody, clump-forming perennial

is notorious for producing profuse amounts of seed that remain viable for up to four years and take hold mainly in pastures and along fencelines. Absinthe wormwood can grow from two to five feet in height in a variety of soils. Experts also warn about its persistent tap root, which can reach two inches in diameter.

The shrub-like perennial, sometimes mistaken for pasture sage, joins white cockle, scentless chamomile, toadflax and leafy spurge on the list of designated noxious weeds Flagstaff County deems a priority to manage.

The County offers an incentive program to landowners to help control these weeds. For more information, call the County office at 780-384-4100.

Page 3

Spring 2017

Black Knot fungus widespread in Alberta

Black Knot, caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa, is a common disease of plants in the genus Prunus. A survey in Alberta revealed a significant and widespread distribution of Black Knot found in commercial, municipal, private and natural plantings. This disease reduces the aesthetic value of affected specimens, as infections spread rapidly; high levels may result in the eventual death of the plant.

What can be done?

• Removal of sources of inoculum (prevents population build up).

• Prune out all knot-bearing branches during late fall, winter or very early spring when plants are dormant and knots are easy to see.

• Remove infected branches to at least 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) below knot. NOTE: It is preferable to prune an infected branch further back to an appropriate location, such as a healthy collar, rather than leave a stub.

• As a precaution, cutting blades should be cleaned and disinfected after pruning, if possible, especially if cuts have been made through obviously infected material.

• For knots on scaffold branches or trunks that can’t be removed, cut away diseased tissue down to good wood and at least 1 cm (1/2 inch) beyond the edge of the knot.

• Failure to remove branches beyond the internal growth will result in re-growth of the fungus.

• DISEASED WOOD MUST BE

DESTROYED IMMEDIATELY (burned, buried or removed from site). Diseased knots can produce and release spores for up to four months after removal. Proper composting can help to accelerate the breakdown of infected materials.

• Ensure plants are healthy and free from stress (not a guarantee from disease).

• Monitor regularly.

• Ensure adequate canopy ventilation through proper pruning.

— Alberta Agriculture

Weed Spotlight: Thesium Arvense (Alberta Invasive Species Council)

Thesium arvense is a perennial herb of the Sandalwood Family and native to central China and central Europe.

Plants develop a tough taproot with some branching. The roots develop numerous haustoria: highly specialized root structures that penetrate the tissues of the host with short root hairs.

Thesium’s distribution in North America is limited; recorded in only 2 locations in the U.S. and in Fish Creek Provincial Park on the southern fringe of Calgary.

Prevention Recognizing Thesium is

key to detecting new infestations, preventing their spread, and introduction to new areas. Seeds would be easily spread in soil and attached to foot or vehicular traffic.

Control There is little information

regarding mechanical control of Thesium, however it’s possible that small, new patches may be hand dug, removing as much of the root as possible and monitoring for regrowth.

Original Grazing School for Women schedule set The 15th annual Grazing

School for Women will be June 13 and 14 at Lakeland College in Vermilion.

This much-anticipated event has evolved over the years into a fun way for rural ladies to get together to learn and discuss current ranching trends in a comfortable atmosphere.

The schedule of activities includes a tour of the Lakeland College GrowSafe Project, and a variety of workshops such as plant identification and pasture health, as well as a producer marketing panel. For more information, call

Linda Boyd at 780-657-3358.

The most distinguishing symptom of Black Knot is the characteristic black, tar-like swellings that develop on branches of the infected plant.

Page 4 For more information contact: Agricultural Department

General Tree Care Seminar • Have you planted trees only to have them later die?

• Have you searched for answers on how to select,

plant and care for your trees?

May 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Flagstaff County Office

Jacquie Randle, an arborist with Randle Handles

Horticulture Ltd., will talk about common problems

facing trees in Alberta.

Topics include selection, planting, pruning, watering,

fertilizer, mulch, and insect and disease management.

You will learn how to help trees thrive and not just

survive. Be prepared to discover the complexities of trees and

their connected systems.

Practical demonstrations of how to prune and plant completes

this informative general tree care overview.

Cost: $10

per person

(includes

lunch).

Please call

Kelsey Fenton

at 780-384-4129

to pre-register.

ATCO Electric Farm Safety Tips

Today’s farm equipment is bigger than ever, which can mean big problems when you’re working around power lines. Contact with a power line can result in damaged equipment, severe injuries or even death, but is 100% preventable. Stay safe with these tips:

1. Check the height of your equipment. If you’re buying it new, confirm the height, update your GPS with any changes and consider your route to ensure you can cross safely under power lines. Exercise caution if equipment is higher than 4.1 metres.

2. Stay seven metres away from power lines. Keep this in mind when operating grain augers or air seeders, or when lifting truck boxes or back hoes.

3. Stack and store wisely. Whether it’s a grain bin or bale storage, stack and store it seven metres away from power lines.

4. Plan before moving tall equipment. Map your route and locate any overhead power lines. If you don’t know whether it’s safe to cross under or work near a power line, call ATCO Electric for help: 1-855-277-1670.

Air seeder contacting a power line.