Despite the dry year and stripe rust infestation, we saw some big winter wheat yields across the province this season. Many growers are giving credit to a strong stand establishment last fall thanks to the excellent planting conditions. So as we get into the full swing of winter wheat planting, here are a few things to keep in mind that…
Earlier this year, Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) and the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA) were involved in broad industry discussions regarding the implications of using ManipulatorTM, a plant growth regulator, in the 2016 wheat crop. ManipulatorTM is not registered for use in the United States so the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has zero tolerance for any residues of the…
Cashcropper allows you to compare the net profitability and fertility requirements for different crop rotations within a given field. This app is powered by over 30 years of data on crop yield responses to different rotations from trials conducted by the University of Guelph. The app uses default yield values provided by crop insurance records in Ontario and uses the…
Over-night temperatures on May 22 to 23 dipped to -2 to -3 oC in many parts of Ontario. Cereal crops are hardy to light frosts. Leaf tissue on plants that have not hardened off will withstand temperatures of -4 oC or lower before the cells will freeze and damage occurs, making late spring frosts of little consequence.
28% has become the preferred nitrogen source on winter wheat in Ontario. Application is perfectly uniform, something that seems difficult to achieve with most urea applications. However, leaf burn is one of the main problems with 28% applications, particularly at later stages of growth. With more emphasis on split nitrogen applications, and renewed interest in even later N applications on…
Wheat yields pushing 150 bu/ac are very possible with good management and increased nitrogen (N) rates. Recent research clearly shows an interaction between fungicides and nitrogen. But high nitrogen rates immediately raises questions about lodging, nitrogen source, and application timing. Wheat’s nitrogen demand is much earlier than corn, so nitrogen management needs to be different. What is the right rate,…
Synopsis: Using the provincial performance trials to pick the top variety for your farm. By now you should have looked at the wheat variety trials (www.gocereals.ca). What an AMAZING amount of information. With new information, and combined charts, which table should you actually use? Managed or normal? For the first time ever (2013), there are variety comparisons using fungicides, or “managed”(Tables 1A,…
Ontario wheat performance trials are the first to add fungicides as part of the evaluation package. Years ago, no one sprayed wheat, barely even with a herbicide. Today, if you don’t spray a fusarium fungicide on your wheat crop, you aren’t a real wheat farmer. And the fusarium issues with #Harvest13 have really driven this point home. Performance trials are…
According to Environment Canada, atmospheric sulphur dioxide emissions were reduced by over 50% from 1990 to 2010. Although this is a positive outcome for emissions reductions it does signal an inevitable need to ensure that field crops have an adequate supply of this essential nutrient. A study was initiated in 2011 to determine how varying rates of sulphur affected winter…
Ontario research shows an average of 7.5 bushels more wheat. Add in improved winter survival and a more uniform stand and you have an agronomic no-brainer. Stooped over a seed trench late at night, squinting through the beam of a flashlight at dark grey soil, Alan McCallum still doesn’t doubt how worthwhile starter fertilizer is for a wheat crop. In…
Application of fusarium control fungicides requires specialized nozzles or nozzle combinations to achieve optimum results. Maximizing wheat head coverage requires both proper timing and the best nozzle configurations. Maximize Spray Coverage of Wheat Heads The key to applying fungicides to prevent fusarium head blight (FHB) is to spray all sides of all wheat heads with product. Heads that are missed…
There are many different diseases which are caused by various fungal pathogens that affect cereals in Ontario. The foliar diseases (powdery mildew, leaf rust, Septoria leaf spot, Septoria (Stagonospora) glume blotch and tan spot) and Fuarium Head Blight (FHB) can cause significant yield losses if not managed correctly. Although these diseases occur in all wheat producing areas of the…
Co-Authors: Dr. Peter Sikkema (University of Guelph) Growers looking to optimize efficiency of field operations often inquire about applying a herbicide with 28% urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) as a carrier. In theory it makes sense. An application of 28% UAN at 400 L/ha (42 US gal/ac) as a carrier with a herbicide would save a trip over the field, provide…
The following harvest and storage management tips for dwarf bunt infected fields can help increase sample quality: Cut high with the combine Wheat infected with dwarf bunt will be substantially shorter than healthy plants. Raising the header will reduce the amount of bunt balls harvested. Harvest below 15% Bunt balls and spores that are dry tend to be sent out…
With most of the winter wheat planted on time last fall, or even a few days early, we have the yield potential to take advantage of more inputs. With wheat prices at record levels, and our inputs still at last year’s prices, it’s time to GO FOR BROKE! Nitrogen – add 10 pounds to your normal application Dr. Dave Hooker,…
