Saskatchewan Orange Wheat Blossom Midge Survey 2016 and 2017

• Term: Two years, beginning in 2016

• Status: Complete

• Funding Amount: $40,000

• Lead Researcher(s): Sharon Nowlan, Scott Hartley (Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture)

• Funding Partners: Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation

Project Description

Surveys for wheat midge have been conducted in Saskatchewan since the late 1980’s. The survey was expanded with the gradual increase in distribution of the wheat midge in the Province. Currently the survey covers most of the wheat growing areas of the Province. The wheat midge survey consists of soil sampling (approximately 420 to 450 sites during September and October) followed by processing and analysis to be completed by the end of December. The data from the survey is used to create a forecast map of risk to wheat midge for the following growing season. Intended release date is for Crop Production Week in Saskatoon in early January.

Historically the wheat midge survey has been a valuable forecasting tool for Saskatchewan producers. A timely forecast map provides producers with information they can use to make cropping decisions to reduce risk – crop rotation, use of midge tolerant wheat or budgeting potential insecticide costs. In addition, the forecast map provides information for agriculture retailers in considering chemical stocks to meet the need of producers.