April 2021 Forage Report

Posted on by Christine O'Reilly in Forages

Winter of 2020-2021 was mild. Although snow cover was less than normal, there were relatively few thaws. A rapid thaw in early March melted most of the snow. The warm temperatures persisted for a few days, allowing perennial forages to break dormancy.

Dry conditions throughout March with warm days and cool nights provided a window to frost seed that lasted about two weeks.

Growing degree day accumulation was much faster than normal (Table 1) which sped up crop development. In many parts of the province it was possible to assess winter survival in alfalfa much earlier than usual. Reports indicate that winterkill levels are minimal, due to a combination of factors:

  • Consistent snow cover during winter insulated the crowns.
  • A lack of freeze/thaw cycles prevented ice sheeting in low areas.
  • Without freeze/thaw cycles, heaving was not an issue.
  • The fast melt followed by dry weather minimized standing water that would drown plants in slow-draining areas.

The same weather conditions that supported good alfalfa survival also contributed to healthy stands of winter cereals, which will help boost forage inventories ahead of first cut. Weather conditions have been excellent for spreading manure. Reports indicate that more fertilizer has been applied to forages this year than normal.

Cooler conditions towards the end of April slowed forage growth. Although there was some snow and frost across the province the week of the 18th, the only damage reported was superficial frost injury on the leaf tips of grasses and leaf margins of alfalfa. Details on scouting frost damage in alfalfa HERE.

Despite some rain the week of April 25th, most of the province was drier than normal throughout April, except for northwestern Ontario which received above average precipitation (Figure 1).

map of April 2021 percent of normal precipitation
Figure 1. Map showing percent of average precipitation during April 2021
Table 1. Growing Degree Day (GDD) and precipitation accumulation as of April 30, 2021
Location/Year  GDD 0C

March 1st

(grasses)

GDD 5C  March 1st

(alfalfa)

Accum. Precip (mm) April 1st
Harrow      
2021 421 194 38
2020 322 100 63
2019 323 125 131
Ridgetown      
2021 382 172 38
2020 280 74 53
2019 288 98 113
London      
2021 366 171 61
2020 265 69 64
2019 223 68 110
Brantford      
2021 345 147 67
2020 262 68 62
2019 222 68 98
Welland      
2021 360 159 37
2020 303 88 73
2019 250 83 95
Elora      
2021 302 122 52
2020 203 41 37
2019 166 39 132
Mount Forest      
2021 311 139 48
2020 191 41 41
2019 158 42 118
Peterborough      
2021 280 96 57
2020 209 42 61
2019 179 46 103
Trenton      
2021 277 92 38
2020 250 58 102
2019 219 66 91
Kemptville      
2021 334 148 63
2020 207 43 71
2019 187 59 98
Earlton      
2021 230 85 19
2020 61 3 56
2019 52 1 94
Sudbury      
2021 229 86 45
2020 90 7 49
2019 72 4 85
Thunder Bay      
2021 145 24 82
2020 80 12 10
2019 88 11 64
Fort Frances      
2021 175 36 86
2020 106 22 23
2019 115 27 32

Growing Degree Day (GDD) and precipitation accumulation as of April 30, 2021