Wireworm Information Day draws huge attendance of Island growers

Title

Abstract

Brian Beaton, Potato Specialist, PEI Department of Agriculture & Forestry welcomed over 200 farmers and industry partners to the Wireworm Information Day that was organized by the Wireworm Research Working Group and funded by the PEI ADAPT Council. Beaton outlined the economic costs resulting from the spread of this agricultural pest; Shauna Mellish, Agri-Environmental Specialist, PEI Department of Agriculture & Forestry, gave a presentation on the spread of wireworm on PEI between 2009 and 2012; she also delivered the results of a late 2013-early 2014 survey of PEI farmers that was used to determine the amount of damage experienced on farms across the province. Dr. Bob Vernon, wireworm researcher, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (BC) gave a presentation on the life cycle of wireworms/click beetles and some of the existing chemic control options. Dr. Christine Norohna, AAFC (Chralottetown) followed with a presentation on the use of brown mustard and buckwheat as possible rotation crops that may be useful in controlling the spread of wireworms/click beetles. Dr. Zenaida Ganga, lead researcher, Cavendish Farms Research Division, presented the results of projects in this field. The final speaker was Joanne Discoll, PEI Horticultural Association, spoke about her research with mustard and buckwheat as potential crops for use in controlling the growth of wireworm populations

Date

2014

Issue

2-March/April

Title	Wireworm Information Day draws huge attendance of Island growers
Authors	R. Barrett
Abstract	Brian Beaton, Potato Specialist, PEI Department of Agriculture & Forestry welcomed over 200 farmers and industry partners to the Wireworm Information Day that was organized by the Wireworm Research Working Group and funded by the PEI ADAPT Council. Beaton outlined the economic costs resulting from the spread of this agricultural pest; Shauna Mellish, Agri-Environmental Specialist, PEI Department of Agriculture & Forestry, gave a presentation on the spread of wireworm on PEI between 2009 and 2012; she also delivered the results of a late 2013-early 2014 survey of PEI farmers that was used to determine the amount of damage experienced on farms across the province. Dr. Bob Vernon, wireworm researcher, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (BC) gave a presentation on the life cycle of wireworms/click beetles and some of the existing chemic control options. Dr. Christine Norohna, AAFC (Chralottetown) followed with a presentation on the use of brown mustard and buckwheat as possible rotation crops that may be useful in controlling the spread of wireworms/click beetles. Dr. Zenaida Ganga, lead researcher, Cavendish Farms Research Division, presented the results of projects in this field. The final speaker was Joanne Discoll, PEI Horticultural Association, spoke about her research with mustard and buckwheat as potential crops for use in controlling the growth of wireworm populations
Journal	Prince Edward Island potato news
Date	2014
Volume	15
Issue	2-March/April
ISSN	1496-1792