Now that the majority of the crop is in the ground, farmers are heading back out to check for any problems.

Patchy spots in the field can sometimes be related to insect problems.

Provincial Insect Specialist Scott Hartley says based on the numbers from last year it’s a good idea to watch out for cutworm damage.

"You're going to start seeing plants cut off at or just below the soil surface, so if it's actually cut off then that's usually a pretty good idea you've got cutworm problems there," he said. "We do also have some species that are above ground feeders, so you can actually see the defoliation, rather than see the plant cut off."

He says if control is warranted a foliar insecticide spray targeted to hit the ground should be used where the cutworm can come in contact with it when they come up to feed.

He notes another key insect to watch for is the pea leaf weevil.

"There is an economic threshold of one in three plants showing damage to the clam leaf," Hartley said. "As being an economic threshold you can spray for it, but the problem is that they're quite prolific egg layers and so there could be a lot of eggs already laid, that spray isn't going to protect you from the larva."

Hartley says the pea leaf weevil which has been seen in the southwest corner of the province has become more of a concern as it moves eastward to Moose Jaw and north into the Kindersley and Outlook areas.