Crop Report – June 30, 2021

Figure 2. Fusarium head blight infection in winter wheat that was not sprayed with a T3 fungicide.

The recent rainfall over much of the province was welcomed and appreciated by many.  However, the heavy rain and winds proved to be a tipping point for some winter wheat with lodging occurring in all or parts of fields. While some wheat has managed to stand back up, the wheat remains flat where the lodging is severe (Figure 1). For those who may have never experience lodged wheat here are a few things to keep in mind as harvest begins in the most southern part of the province.

Figure 1. Severely lodged wheat that remains flat after recent rainfall and wind events.
Figure 1. Severely lodged wheat that remains flat after recent rainfall and wind events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fusarium head blight (FHB) has remained at relatively low levels in field to date but can be a concern in lodged crops. Fields that are lodged or did not receive a T3 fungicide should be scouted leading up to harvest to identify if any disease is present and at what levels. Diseased spikelets will appear to have ripened prematurely (bleached) in contrast to healthy heads and during warm, humid weather, the fungus produces a salmon-orange-to-pink ring of spores at the base of the spikelet or in the crease of the kernel (Figure 2). Infected kernels are also usually shrunken, wrinkled and light in weight. They can range in colour from light brown to pink to greyish-white. If you identify fields with FHB, they should be harvested first to help stop the continued spread of infection. Scout for other head diseases such as “sooty” molds, glume blotch and black point which may increase in lodged wheat as well.

Figure 2. Fusarium head blight infection in winter wheat that was not sprayed with a T3 fungicide.
Figure 2. Fusarium head blight infection in winter wheat that was not sprayed with a T3 fungicide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combine adjustments are another effective and easy way of optimizing the harvest of a lodged or FHB infected wheat crop. By increasing the fan speed and reducing driving speed, the level of fusarium-damaged kernels in a sample can be lowered. Since many FHB infected kernels are small, shrunken and lighter than normal kernels, they are blown out of the back of the combine. Even in extreme circumstances (such as those in 1996) where maximum windblast was used, the reduction of fusarium-damaged kernels in the grain outweighed the loss of good kernels that were also blown out the back.

Adjusting your combine for a lodged wheat crop is also important. On those combines that are equipped with floating/flexible cutter bars, leave the knife tilted down and run the header in the float position similar to harvesting a soybean crop. While this can be effective, ensure you are being cautious not to pick up any rocks. Grain lifters are a fairly inexpensive and effective way to maximize yields in a lodged crop as well. Given most reels are on the optimum setting for soybeans, they should be adjusted. Set the reel forward and adjust the tine angle to be more aggressive, allowing the reel to physically lift the crop up off the ground and above the knife. Check the operator’s manual for suggested settings and work from there.

Harvesting in one direction against the lodged grain can assist with lifting the crop off the ground more effectively. Harvesting a lodged crop is frustrating and slow, but it’s worth taking the time to be effective in harvest.

With combines set to maximize harvest potential, more volunteer grain is likely to go out the back of the combine which may contribute to greater volunteer wheat. Take account of this when planning post-harvest field management.

Drying and storage can be easily looked over during a busy harvest season. Ensure that any wheat going into storage is dried down to at least 14% moisture or below.  If wheat is not properly dried down, any fusarium in the grain will continue to grow resulting in further downgrading. Check any stored grain frequently to ensure the grain remains in good condition. For more details on these harvest recommendations check out pages 136 – 140 of Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops.

Weather Data

Location Year Weekly June 21-27 Accumulated
Highest Temp (°C) Lowest Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Rain (mm) April 1st GDD 0C April 1st  GDD 5C April 1st CHU May 1st
Harrow 2021 27 8 30 216 1214 807 1056
2020 29 14 41 210 1149 740 1109
2019 29 11 1 311 1087 675 939
Ridgetown 2021 26 6 1 147 1135 737 996
2020 32 12 17 171 1080 686 1049
2019 30 8 3 273 1055 640 916
London 2021 26 8 9 150 1127 735 968
2020 30 9 4 195 1028 636 969
2019 29 9 5 290 949 564 830
Brantford 2021 28 7 7 136 1112 717 953
2020 33 10 15 159 1023 637 954
2019 29 10   274 993 597 886
Welland 2021 28 7 14 107 1102 703 939
2020 32 13 42 183 1061 669 1006
2019 29 11 10 290 1056 643 937
Elora 2021 26 5 6 125 1012 626 860
2020 30 8 23 157 936 569 876
2019 28 9 16 303 907 519 812
Mount Forest 2021 27 6 4 107 1022 639 878
2020 30 9 52 204 927 573 885
2019 28 7   129 886 506 792
Peterborough 2021 28 2 4 110 1003 607 850
2020 30 10 7 135 943 568 893
2019 29 8 15 291 909 516 789
Kingston 2021 28 8 1 117 1030 634 858
2020 29 13 39 176 1032 634 971
2019 26 12 2 282 1005 596 884
Kemptville 2021 29 5 12 154 1121 719 937
2020 33 14 4 130 998 610 938
2019 29 11   203 943 551 818
Earlton 2021 23 4 11 96 944 567 775
2020 29 10 91 211 786 482 782
2019 29 9 6 294 673 355 613
Sudbury 2021 21 2 19 148 960 584 803
2020 29 10 68 188 831 502 813
2019 28 9 19 271 673 356 593
Thunder Bay 2021 27 5 6 217 822 459 711
2020 30 7 3 80 744 436 734
2019 30 3 27 174 587 276 500
Fort Frances 2021 29 0 6 156 885 516 821
2020 29 5 8 156 854 517 846
2019 28 5 12 141 720 380 644
Report compiled by OMAFRA using Environment Canada data. Data quality is verified but accuracy is not guaranteed. Report supplied for general information purposes only. An expanded report is available at www.fieldcropnews.com.