b'WHEAT MIDGEMonitoring Midge How the 2023 season played out for this unpredictable pest.FOR 13 GROWINGseasons, wheat farmers in Western Canada have had access to a powerful agronomic tool against wheat midge. Thats how long the wheat midge tolerant gene (Sm1) has been available and its a game changing technology against this unpredictable prairie pest. Today, an estimated 32 per cent of wheat planted in Western Canada is midge tolerant. And yet, the work continues to learn more about wheat midge control and its impact on wheat crop yields and quality. Tyler Wist, a field crop entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has been looking at ways to protect the integrity of the wheat midge tolerance gene over the past several years. Best Year for Midge Busters One of his wheat midge activities has been Midge Busters (#midgebusters)a collaborative field project Wist coordinates with SeCan to monitor midge populations each year. The project is wrapping up its third year and provides invaluable farm field data that helps Wist compare provincial midge forecasts to actual emergence in the spring and summer months.You never know where the midge hot spots will be, so its been great to watch the evolution of this program and the growing number of locations, says Todd Hyra, business manager for Midge tolerant wheat stewardship campaign reminds farmers what life was like Western Canada with SeCan Seeds. before midge tolerant wheat.PHOTO: MIDGE WHEAT TOLERANT STEWARDSHIP TEAMField Results and FindingsMidge Busters participants record trap information that ultimately gets to Wist so he can track actual emergence.Growers will find every trait they want in Midge Tolerant Wheat Were still analyzing data from 2023 but we saw an average strong short straw, very good lodging resistance, and many with of 310 male midges per trap, says Wist. Thats lower than 2022very good resistance to Fusarium, says Hyra. numbers but not surprising to Wist given the dry conditions thisGrowing Midge Tolerant Wheat requires growers to sign a year. Stewardship Agreement to ensure the integrity of the technology Another interesting development Wist was able to monitorand ensures every seed lot contains a 10 per cent refuge of non-through Midge Busters was a second spike of wheat midge activityresistant seed to reduce the likelihood of wheat midge developing in some areas.resistance to the Sm1 gene.If you get enough rain, the wheat crop can start tillering andThe sustainability of this trait is so important for Western could be susceptible again to wheat midge, says Wist. We sawCanada because of the value it provides for effective midge some spikes in trap counts in late July and early August.management, protecting yield and grade quality, and reducing The good news is that while males were showing up in traps, andpesticide load on the farm, says Hyra. It works really well from an females might be close behind, there isnt anywhere viable for theenvironmental and practical standpoint.female to lay their eggs. For Wist, the message to producers about midge management is consistent and clear. Stick with Sustainable Approach Never turn your back on wheat midge. It can last up to 13 years Since Midge Tolerant Wheat has been available, growers haventin the soil and still be viable, he says.had to compromise on yield. The Midge Tolerant Wheat Stewardship Team48seed.ab.ca'