Farmers have the opportunity to catch up on the diseases, insects and weeds to watch for in the upcoming crop season, thanks to Manitoba Agriculture's Central Region Crop Meetings getting underway Tuesday.
"The Central Region Crop Meetings are really there to try and equip farmers with the latest knowledge and strategies to maximize profitability on their farm in 2025," explained Callum Morrison, Crop Production Extension Specialist. "I think it's really important that we have these meetings because they provide farmers with timely research-based insights on pressing agronomic challenges including pest threats and farm management practices and, really, it's so important we have these because we have, for example, evolving pest pressures, which are changing every year. And, of course, with not just tariffs, but with our shifting markets, I think that staying informed is really key to maintaining a productive and profitable farm operation this year."
On the agenda at each meeting is Oilseed Specialist, Sonia Wilson, with an update on Verticillium Stripe, along with Entomologist, John Gavloski, with the latest insect information including forecasts and scouting and management tips. Then Weeds Specialist, Kim Brown, will deliver details on which weeds to watch out for this year and how to control them, followed by a session, Finding Profit in 2025, by farm management specialists Crystal Berthelette and Roy Arnott.
"I like to always think that these meetings provide a very important opportunity for networking and community engagement as well," added Morrison. "It allows producers to connect with not just fellow farmers, but also Agronomists and, of course, our wonderful Manitoba Agriculture specialists in kind of an informal way. I feel like our industry, it's really important for us to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. So, even though it's important for us to get our great Manitoba Agriculture fact-based knowledge sharing out there, I think it's also important that we're hearing from the farmers so that comes back to us as well."
There is no need to register for the free meetings. Farmers, along with other industry stakeholders, are welcome to attend