Gene editing is poised to play a major role in plant breeding and agricultural improvement in the coming years. This talk will discuss the promise of gene editing and the intersection of regulation, public trust and market dynamics on the future of this game-changing technology.

Early adopters have started growing cover crops on the Canadian Prairies to advance their soil health goals. Results from on-farm and small plot research with cover crops will highlight how cover crops are being used and adapted for Prairie rotations and growing conditions. In this session, ideas and resources to support new and experienced growers will be shared.

Discover the best nitrogen application strategies for top-yielding winter wheat varieties Wildfire and Vortex. Hear results from recently completed research that aimed to update nitrogen fertility recommendations for winter wheat, helping farmers to apply the right amount of fertilizer at the right time. Alex will share how spring-only nitrogen applications compared to fall and spring split applications at different rates in sites across Manitoba.

This session will focus on how soil pH affects soil nutrient availability, overall soil health and crop growth, and how soil pH changes over time. Soil pH is a function of inherent soil characteristics (soil texture and mineralogy) and agricultural management practices such as the use of fertilizers, crop rotation and liming. Monitoring and managing soil pH is the foundation of maintaining or improving crop yields and soil health.

Plant pathologists across the Prairies are closely monitoring canola diseases that significantly impact yield, including clubroot, sclerotinia stem rot, blackleg and verticillium stripe. This presentation will provide the status of these diseases based on data from the three Saskatchewan provincial canola disease monitoring programs in 2024. This includes the latest lab results for clubroot and verticillium stripe, a disease which was first identified in Saskatchewan canola production in 2021.

Several species of insects pose significant challenges to pulse and oilseed crop production in Western Canada. This session will summarize research projects on integrated pest management of insects in pulse and oilseed crops. It will also review the annual pest monitoring results from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network for pea leaf weevil, cabbage seedpod weevil, bertha armyworm, grasshoppers and diamondback moth and discuss potential insect risk going into the 2025 growing season.