Let’s Make Hay

Farmers are full of optimism. Corn and soybean prices hit unprecedented highs in 2011. Although there has been some volatility in the markets, many farmers are responding to high anticipated prices by again increasing their intended acres of corn and soybeans. It’s no secret that there was a loss of forage acreage last year, but […]

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Watch for Flea Beetles this Spring

Once canola starts to emerge, start scouting for flea beetles. Flea beetles are now very active and present in emerged canola.  Canola will emerge quickly with forecast temperatures in high teens for the next week. Flea beetle damage is most severe the first two weeks after canola  after canola seedling emergence. At the 3-4 leaf  stage […]

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Using “Scissors Cutting” To Optimize Forage Quality

High quality forage is essential to dairy profitability. The benchmark for “high producing dairy cow” quality alfalfa haylage has been considered to be 20% Crude Protein (CP), 30% Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), and 40% Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF). Many nutritionists consider NDF to be the primary quality variable to target when harvesting dairy alfalfa haylage. Determining Optimum […]

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Forage Report – May 9, 2012

Anticipated yields and maturity of the forage crop is extremely variable across the province. Many alfalfa fields are yellow with dandelions, indicating weak stands and reduced yields. On closer examination by digging plants, many of these fields are experiencing crown and root rots, including brown root rot (www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/field/news/croptalk/2007/ct-1107a9.htm). Risk factors that contributed to weak alfalfa […]

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Soybean Report: May 9, 2012

Planting progress has been slow over the last week although a few areas did make headway.  Less than 10% of the crop has been planted to date.  Soil potassium levels have slipped in Ontario with estimates that up to 20% of Ontario fields may be below ideal levels for soybeans.  Applying potassium in the spring […]

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Pasture Report: May 9, 2012

Warm temperatures and showers will result in rapid growth during the next few weeks. First rotation management will set the stage for remainder of the season.  Leaving 7-10 cm of grass after grazing will allow for rapid regrowth and the development of a strong stand.  Grass based pastures will respond to an early June nitrogen […]

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Corn Report: May 9, 2012

Corn planting ranges from 50 to 95% complete; provincially corn planting is estimated at 80%.  In most areas rainfall has not been intense and soils remain in good shape despite large acreages without significant residue cover.  Corn requires about 180 CHU to emerge.  Corn planted April 16-20 is emerging this week.  Most reports suggest that […]

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Cereal Report: May 9, 2012

Winter wheat is advancing rapidly with warmer temperatures. The window for herbicide applications is closing as fields reach flag leaf stage. Flag leaf herbicide applications run a high risk of crop injury. If weeds are a harvest issue, pre-harvest glyphosate is the best option on advanced fields. Early wheat at Harrow is just beginning to […]

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Canola Report: May 9, 2012

Canola: Planting is 95 % complete in southern growing areas and nicely started in northern districts.  April planted fields are at cotyledon-1st leaf stage. Flea beetles are now actively feeding.  Populations are highest in field borders. Threshold for control is 25% leaf feeding.  Weeds are emerging with the canola.  Critical weed control period is 1 […]

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Forage Report – May 2, 2012

Some frost damage to alfalfa occurred again in late-April, mostly in areas in south-western Ontario.  Some of these fields were also frost damaged in late-March. Regrowth of these fields will likely occur, but maturity will be delayed and yields reduced. www.fieldcropnews.com/?p=2236 With dry April weather, most new forage seedings were completed in good time. Once […]

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