Pamela Livingston

From April to November I work at the research farm. Here I am involved in planting, growing and harvesting various crops. We grow many crops including corn, soybeans, wheat/cereals, canola, ornamentals/turf, vegetables and fruit crops. I also plan various experiments. My students and I spray different pest control products on these crops. We are checking to see if we can help the crop prevent disease, insects or weeds from destroying the plants’ ability to produce food.

My day usually starts at 5am when wind speeds are low.This is when we spray the crops. In the afternoons we evaluate the effects of the sprays on the plants. We count the insects, the amount of weeds, and estimate the potential crop damage. We plant by tractor in the spring and harvest in the fall. We spray the crops by hand and by tractor.

For safety we are dressed in spray suits, boots, gloves and a respirator. We have 5 research farms across Canada and contract trials to universities in areas where we don’t have a farm. From December to March I work from a home office in the winter. I usually sleep in until 8am and then work on data analysis. I complete reports on how effective the different sprays were.

I also write product submission data packages for the government. And because we are always testing every year, I create new experimental protocols and planning for the next season. I also attend conferences, agricultural industry meetings and meet with government and university researchers about their work. It involves travel across Ontario, with trips out west and east as well as to the USA. I work with other researchers in countries all over the world and discuss via phone and Skype/video conferences.