Synopsis: Rainfall over the weekend varied from 0 – 40 ml (Brussels area). High armyworm numbers can be found in a number of areas, with highest populations in Niagara and SW Ont. More reports in forage stands, but cutting of first cut providing control. Weed control and respraying is nearing completion in corn and soy’s with some corn now fully canopied. First sighting of soybean aphids in London region. First generation swede midge populations peaked early in the week, but have since dropped.
Armyworm: A number of areas are finding threshold numbers in wheat and forage stands( especially those with lot of grass). Very few reports in corn but need to scout corn and spring cereals with wheat maturing and forage harvest nearing completion. Cutting of forage is best method of control. Difficult to predict how long they will continue to feed as there is often large variation in size in a field. Second generation less likely to be a problem as there is a lot more other vegetation to feed on diluting the population. For more information refer to Armyworm article:
Forages: Forage harvest is nearing completion with disappointing yields. Oat-pea-triticale harvest is ongoing. Alfalfa weevil pressure was high in Niagara and several other areas. Growth of second cut has been slow up to now, but recent rains should accelerate growth.
Edible Beans: Planting is mostly complete with some waiting until last week when moisture conditions improved. A few replants due to crusting and poor emergence due to not seeding into moisture. Several reports of ‘baldheads’ in one white bean variety. Bald heads are plants that emerge without seed leaves or broken or dead growing point due to mechanical damage to seed. Same variety had lower emergence in 2011, although this was due to lower germination in a seed lot. Leafhopper adults are now evident but in very low numbers. The leafhopper control threshold is 0.25 insects/plant at the unifoliate stage, 0.5 insect per trifoliate at the second trifoliate and 1 insect per trifoliate at the fourth trifoliate.
Soybeans: Many stands look excellent with some now at 2nd -3rd trifoliate stage. Thin stands and uneven emergence were mostly due to beans not seeded into moisture. Quite a bit of respraying of fields with pre-emergent herbicide applied that did not receive rain to activate before weed emergence. More RRsoybean growers are using a pre-emergent product to improve weed control and provide wider window for postemergent spraying.
Agricorp Update:
Very few replants of corn and soybeans. Some growers are not contacting Agricorp prior to reseeding. Please remind growers who are reseeding to contact Agricorp first. Growers can call in or report final acreage online. Please don’t leave until last day, June 30th,
Other:
1.) Weed sample of Nipplewort in RRsoy field not controlled by glyphosate. Sample sent to weed Id clinic
2.) Barley yellow dwarf more prevalent this year
Upcoming Events:
The tour of the Huron Research Station is available next Tuesday, June 26th
Southwest Crop Diagnostic Days Ridgetown
July 4 and 5, 2012 (U of Guelph– Ridgetown Campus)
Dufferin Farm Tour: Sept 29th at Tupling Farm
Ontario Forage Expo: Wed July 11th, Milverton
http://bit.ly/MdLBJt
CropLine – 1-888-449-0937
CropPest Website –www.omafra.gov.on.ca/croppest
Please direct any questions, comments you may have to:
Brian Hall, OMAFRA, Stratford 519-271-0083 or brian.hall@ontario.ca
Ian McDonald, OMAFRA, Guelph 519-824-4120 (ext 5-6707) or ian.mcdonald@ontario.ca