Cool conditions in the first half of the month slowed forage growth across the province. Victoria Day – the weekend before May 24th – was early this year, with the holiday falling on May 18th. This further affected perceptions of crop development, as many dairy farmers aim to start first cut based on the long weekend.
Supplies of sorghum-sudangrass seed are tight.
Pastures that had adequate rest in the fall look good, although growth has been hampered by cool conditions. Pastures that were overgrazed last fall have grown very little by comparison.
Agricorp reports that for the 2019 Premium New Forage Seeding (covers crop until 1st cut or May 31, 2020), there have been 95 damage reports to date; more than half of these were for winterkill, the second largest peril was drought. For the 2019 Standard New Forage Seeding insurance, there have been 30 damage reports to date. Most of these were reported last fall, half were for drought, while the second largest peril was excess rainfall. For 2020 New Forage Seedings, there have been less than 10 damage reports to date across both insurance plans.
Southwestern
- According to AAFC, Essex, Chatham-Kent, Elgin, Norfolk, Haldimand, Brant, and parts of Oxford, Middlesex, Simcoe, Huron, Perth, Bruce, and Wellington counties received average rainfall during the month of May. In many areas this rainfall was due to storms. The rest of the region received below average amounts of precipitation.
- Cereal rye forage yields were average to excellent.
- Orchardgrass and Italian ryegrass have headed. First cut is underway on some dairy farms.
- Spring-seeded alfalfa is up to first trifoliate stage. GDD accumulation has been slow to date, but with heat and rainfall the crop will come along quickly.
- Producers should start scouting for potato leafhopper, particularly those located in counties along the shore of Lake Erie. Potato leafhoppers are blown in from the southern US on stormfronts. More information on scouting and control can be found on page 341 of OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops or HERE.
Central and Eastern
- According to AAFC, Prince Edward and parts of Northumberland, Hastings, Lennox & Addington, and Frontenac counties, and Muskoka District received average precipitation during the month of May. The rest of the region received below-average rainfall.
- Cereal rye forage yields were average to excellent.
- Orchardgrass and bromegrasses are heading out. First cut is underway on some dairy farms.
- Alfalfa snout beetle has been found in Stormont, Leeds, and Grenville. Snout beetles cause deep spiral grooves in the taproots of seedlings and take notches out of the leaf margins. More information on scouting and control can be found on page 337 of OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops.
- Producers should start scouting for potato leafhopper, particularly those located in counties along the shore of Lake Ontario. Potato leafhoppers are blown in from the southern US on storm fronts. More information on scouting and control can be found on page 341 of OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops or HERE
Northeastern
- According to AAFC, Temiskaming and Sudbury districts received average amounts of precipitation during the month of May. Algoma, Manitoulin, and Cochrane districts received above-average precipitation, while Nipissing and parts of Parry Sound districts received below-average precipitation during May.
- Alfalfa needs 5 consecutive days of weather above 12˚C to break dormancy. The cool spring has meant that alfalfa has been dormant later than normal in many parts of the region. A root health assessment will help determine whether the crop is dead (discoloured, mushy, or ropey taproots) or dormant (healthy roots). More information on root health assessments can be found HERE.
Northwestern
- According to AAFC, the region received below-average precipitation for the month of May.
- True armyworm scouting in grassy fields should start in the next couple of weeks where fields were green in May. More information on scouting for true armyworm can be found HERE.