Alberta farmers and agronomists now have a new digital tool for crop protection decisions, as Alberta’s three largest crop commissions have launched a mobile version of the province’s long-running Crop Protection Guide, commonly known as the Blue Book.
Developed jointly by Alberta Canola, Alberta Grains, and Alberta Pulse Growers, the new app is designed to provide faster and easier access to crop protection information while in the field. Industry leaders say the move reflects changing farm management needs as producers increasingly rely on mobile tools for day-to-day decision-making.
The app’s core feature is a searchable database containing information on more than 700 registered crop protection products. Users can search by crop, pest, active ingredient or product name, while filtering tools allow producers and agronomists to narrow options quickly. Product comparison tools are also built into the platform, allowing side-by-side evaluations to support management decisions.
The digital version also incorporates many of the traditional Blue Book features producers already use, including herbicide, fungicide, insecticide and seed treatment selector charts, along with guidance on application practices and stewardship.
Commission representatives say the timing of crop protection decisions has become increasingly important as production systems become more complex. The app was also designed with rural connectivity challenges in mind and includes offline functionality, allowing users to access information without cellular service.
The Blue Book, which has been updated annually for nearly five decades with input from industry experts and crop protection companies, will continue to be available in print. The app is now available through Apple and Google app stores for an annual subscription fee of $20.
