This is a year of Stranger Things. Some insect pests that are expected in these conditions haven’t shown up yet while others are much more ahead of schedule, thanks to the hot days that are resulting in significant growing degree day accumulation. Tarnished plant bug is already being found in dry beans, even though the […]
Western bean cutworm trap counts this year have been very low so far. Although I would normally expect at least the far southwest to be reaching peak moth flight later this week, the traps are not indicating that yet. It might happen but there are not nearly the same number of moths flying around at […]
Soybeans Update Moisture Stress Most fields are now in the R2 (full flower) to R3 (beginning pod) growth stage. Vegetative growth has been highly dependent on the amount of rainfall in a given region and the planting date. Moisture stress and leaf yellowing is evident in many parts of the province. Late planted fields with […]
Red-headed flea beetles are enjoying a bit of feeding time in soybeans and corn this week. In corn, their feeding is most prevalent in the field border rows, though can scattered throughout the field too. The beetle strips away the leaf tissue causing window-paning, very similar to adult corn rootworm leaf feeding. This feeding is […]
Hay Cutting Height is a Management Tool Challenging growing conditions in 2016 and 2017 have weakened mature hay fields and put pressure on stands established during those years. When forages have been stressed it is a good time to think about how management practices can affect persistence and vigour. Cutting height is one factor that […]
While many fields have received rain over the last week, some areas are starting to show signs of stress from lack of moisture. A few pests take advantage of this situation. Thrips in Corn and Soybeans: A number of corn fields have had high levels of thrips. Rarely are they worthy of control, except in […]
Southwestern: Reports indicate yield and quality of first cut hay was good. Regrowth has been slow in dry regions. Most alfalfa weevil damage occurred during the week of June 4th. Feeding on regrowth after first cut gives fields a greyish tinge when viewed from a distance. As of the 24th, rainfall across the region has […]
Notable Quotable: “Corn will tassel on July 17th at 2:35pm.” – Gilles Quesnel General conditions Rain blessed parts of the region in the past week but often not enough to be effective, and many areas are still drier than desired. Some wilting has been observed on lighter-textured ground, but many heavier soils are still […]
Some fields are starting to see soybean aphids colonize in the last few weeks. This is their typical behaviour and of no concern until soybeans reach the R stages, specifically R1 to R5. Plants need to have at least 250 aphids per plant across 80% of the field and see that population increasing over time […]
In general and across much of Ontario major grain crops and forages are progressing well. Needed relief came to many crops over the period June 22-24 and again June 27th. Prior to this there was evidence of moisture stress on various crops, especially on light textured soils. While typical of much of the rain we […]
Thank you to Mike Verhoef who chaired the meeting and to Alex Zelem (C&M Seeds) for sponsoring breakfast. There was an excellent turnout and discussion. Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s meetings. This was the last meeting for this year so welook forward to seeing you all again next year! Synopsis: The weekend […]
Armyworm has been spotted at low levels in a few winter wheat fields, though being so close to harvest, it is really not a concern in that crop. However, it does indicate a need to keep an eye out for them in spring cereals, as well as mixed forages (as they like to feed on […]
Cabbage seedpod weevil (CSW) are being found in spring canola, particularly in earlier planted fields that are beginning to flower. CSW may begin to appear just prior to bolting and can primarily be found on flower buds until pods begin to form. They are approximately 3 to 4 mm in length and are fairly easy […]
Sulphur (S) had been a neglected nutrient in Ontario for many years. For decades, in much of Ontario, sulphur came in significant quantities from the sky – deposited from emissions from industrial activity. Even before that, impurities in fertilizers and more widespread application of manure helped ensure a regular addition of sulphur to our soils. […]
Thank you to Brian Wooley and Syngenta for sponsoring breakfast. This was the last meeting for the season. Thank you to all participants for your input. General High winds, hail and pounding rain in some of the area over the past week has added frustration to an already difficult spring seeding season. A category F2 […]