5 file -challenge pest management - wordpress.com · 2016-11-18 · • $1.51 billion from the sale...

March 14 - 15, 2017Vancouver Convention Centre

INNOVATION CHALLENGELoss Reductions and Pest Management

Presented by Julie Robinson, Ministry of Agriculture


• 16 years working in agriculture, BC Peace

• Teachers: producers, researchers, government, contractors.

• Mitigate, compensate, resolve

ABOUT MYSELF


B.C. AGRICULTURE • Over 200 land based and 100 sea commodities

• Total farm cash receipts 2015:• $1.51 billion from the sale of crops• $1.53 billion from the sale of cattle, hogs, poultry, eggs, dairy,

honey and other animals and animal products • Economic losses from pests and predation can be considerable:

• Estimated predation losses to BC Beef sector was $4 million in 2011

• Estimated forage and grain losses to BC was $3 million in 2015 (BRMB)

• Impacts from invasive plants predicted to rise to $139 million by 2020 (Invasive Species Council of B.C.)


Pest Profiles • Seeking innovations to minimize losses from pests and predation

• Pests that impact field crops, berries and tree-fruits• Invasive species, i.e. plants • Insects, bacteria, fungus• Starlings, water fowl, other birds, ungulates, bears

• Pests/predators that impact livestock• Wolves, coyotes, bears and cougars – direct predation • Ungulates – forage and pasture damage


Innovation Challenge Currently, innovations are sought to effectively manage pest, wildlife and invasive species concerns in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible way.

Specific topics Today:

• Crop health• Crop loss• Herd health


Summary of Considerations Social Considerations:• Creation of dangerous driving conditions – i.e. ungulates on roads • General nuisance and disturbance in urban areas, mitigation effects too• Public want to see ungulates, predators, waterfowl etc. on the land base

Economic Considerations:• Direct control and management costs• Destruction of pastures and crops, infrastructure fence, etc. • Profit loss (direct losses, decreased quality, impact to exportability)

Environmental considerations• Sprayer drift, chemical uses• Erosion management, runoff, water considerations• sustainibility


• Crop Scouting for signs of stresses, grasshopper and other insects

• Impact areas wildlife

SCENARIO # 1: Drones as tools


Innovation Challenge 1. An innovative,

economically viable solution to software, and interpretation of NDVI, NIR in relation to specific crops and crop health



Innovation Challenge 1. Economically viable and producer friendly software for birds

of prey and drone scaring including laser use



• Livestock health on range, where the pest may be affected by depredation, or other health issues, infections etc.

• Large untraversable land bases, unknown livestock locations


Foot Rot, on cows foot


Innovation Challenge 1. Software to interpret

elevated livestock temp, identification of carcasses and herd health (access to RangeTag and Range Tracker)



Innovation Challenge 1. Software to interpret

elevated livestock temp, identification of carcasses and herd health (access to RangeTag and RangeTracker)



• Stored feed, grain, as well as other high value crops are at risk due to ungulates, and other wildlife.

SCENARIO # 4: High Value Crop/Livestock loss

March 14 - 15, 2017Vancouver Convention Centre14

March 14 - 15, 2017Vancouver Convention Centre16


• Predator control, using fencing to address predators



Innovation Challenge 1. Development of an

economical and user friendly feedback electric fencer.

a) Include cell phone notification

b) linked to watering system updates


c) Reducing labour

d) Predator deterrence


Other Pest challenges where innovative solutions are needed include:ü Translation of existing crop decision tools into other languages

ie Punjabi

ü Pest Management solutions to invasive plants in riparian areas,…

ü Data Management, there are reams of spatial data from crop health how to best utilize,…

INNOVATION CHALLENGE: Ag Pests


Thank You!Questions?

5 file -challenge pest management - wordpress.com · 2016-11-18 · • $1.51 billion from the sale...

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