Bruce Barker

Alberta

I am a Professional Agrologist with a special interest in agronomic research. https://t.co/icN0CKS2cg translates research into agronomic knowledge.

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Articles

Agronomy update: Early maturing crops reduce wild oat densities

5 days ago | topcropmanager.com | Bruce Barker

June 3, 2025 By Bruce BarkerThe evolution of herbicide-resistant wild oats has made wild oat control increasingly difficult. The most recent survey in Manitoba found that 100 per cent of wild oat samples were resistant to at least one herbicide mode of action and, in Saskatchewan, 77 per cent were also resistant to at least one mode of action. Additionally, multiple herbicide resistance to Group 1 and 2 herbicides are becoming more common.
Keep it Clean - Top Crop Manager

1 week ago | topcropmanager.com | Bruce Barker

Be aware of market risks. May 26, 2025 By Bruce BarkerThe buyer is always right. That's the premise behind the Keep it Clean program that highlights the crop protection products and crop combinations that may cause market risks. The program has been updated for 2025 with several new cautions for growers.
Ergot trends in Canada

3 weeks ago | canadianagronomist.ca | Bruce Barker

Ergot trends in Canada CATEGORY Disease | The highest ergot incidence and severity occurred in rye, followed by bread and durum wheat, barley and oats. Ergot incidence has increased in the last decade, but severity has not increased and remains low.
Stripe rust control in spring wheat

1 month ago | canadianagronomist.ca | Bruce Barker

Stripe rust control in spring wheat CATEGORY Disease | For susceptible and moderately resistant varieties sown in mid-May, a foliar fungicide application at mid-anthesis will help preserve yield and quality.
Pasmo control in flax

1 month ago | canadianagronomist.ca | Bruce Barker

Pasmo control in flax CATEGORY Disease | One fungicide application at mid-flowering was as effective as a dual fungicide application at early- and mid-flowering stages for disease control, quality parameters and yield increases.
Frequency of Group 14 resistant kochia in western Canada

1 month ago | canadianagronomist.ca | Bruce Barker

Frequency of Group 14 resistant kochia in western Canada CATEGORY Weeds | Two grower submitted samples were confirmed to have Group 14 PPO inhibitor-resistant kochia from the RM of Newcombe in Saskatchewan and Forty Mile County in Alberta.
Ascochyta blight management in chickpea

1 month ago | canadianagronomist.ca | Bruce Barker

Ascochyta blight management in chickpea CATEGORY Disease | In years of moderate disease pressure with cultivars rated as intermediate resistance to ascochyta, two foliar fungicide applications were as effective as four applications for disease management, yield protection, and prevention of seed infection. Chickpea can be a profitable crop in southern Saskatchewan, and is an alternative crop to pea or lentil since it has a reduced risk of Aphanomyces root rot. However, a major production...
Agronomy update: Controlling stripe rust in winter wheat

2 months ago | topcropmanager.com | Bruce Barker

April 8, 2025 By Bruce BarkerStripe rust of winter wheat, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici Eriks. ( Pst), occurs across western Canada in many years. While many of today's western Canadian winter wheat varieties have improved resistance to stripe rust, some - moderately resistant (MR) - may benefit from foliar fungicide application as another strategy to help control stripe rust.
Surveys of the chickpea health issue were inconclusive

2 months ago | canadianagronomist.ca | Bruce Barker

Surveys of the chickpea health issue were inconclusive CATEGORY Agronomy | A survey from 2021 through 2023 for the causes of the emerging chickpea health issue was inconclusive.
Group 14 resistant kochia confirmed in Saskatchewan

2 months ago | canadianagronomist.ca | Bruce Barker

Group 14 resistant kochia confirmed in Saskatchewan CATEGORY Weeds | Dose response bioassays confirmed high resistance to foliar applied Group 14 active ingredients saflufenacil and carfentrazone in a kochia population from Kindersley and two populations from North Dakota.