June 2021 Forage Report

Posted on by Christine O'Reilly in Forages
map depicting the percent of average precipitation received across Ontario in June 2021

Regrowth rates of hay fields following a cut and pastures following a grazing event is dependent on rainfall. Areas that received below-average rainfall may experience slower regrowth.

Producers looking to buy or sell hay are encouraged to check out the new and improved Ontario Hay Listings website

Southwest

  • According to AAFC, most of the area south of Highway 7 received average rainfall for June, while north of the highway was below average. Parts of Essex and Chatham-Kent had over 150% of average precipitation for the month. Niagara was drier than average, and the Bruce Peninsula received less than 40% of normal rainfall for June.
  • Alfalfa weevil pressure was high on second cut. The hot, dry weather allowed the weevils to get ahead of the pathogenic fungus that usually controls the weevil population.
  • Potato leafhopper populations were building, and alfalfa growers were encouraged to scout. “Hopperburn” is often confused with insufficient water.
  • Second cut began on dairy farms the last week of June.

Central and East

  • According to AAFC, the central and eastern regions of the province received below average precipitation for June. Rainfall across the region was patchy.
  • Alfalfa weevil pressure was high on second cut. The hot, dry weather allowed the weevils to get ahead of the pathogenic fungus that usually controls the weevil population.
  • Potato leafhopper populations were building, and alfalfa growers were encouraged to scout. “Hopperburn” is often confused with insufficient water.
  • A frost in early June caused some superficial damage to established alfalfa.
  • Second cut began on dairy farms the last week of June.

Northeast

  • According to AAFC, the northeast had below average rainfall for June, ranging from 40-85% of normal.
  • Frost in early June is not unheard of, but additional frost events later in the month reduced grass yields in Cochrane and Temiskaming Districts.
  • First cut began on dairy farms in early June.

Northwest

  • According to AAFC, Thunder Bay District had average rainfall for June, while the rest of the region received below-average precipitation.
  • Frost in early June impacted forage stands in the region.

 

map depicting the percent of average precipitation received across Ontario in June 2021

 

  Accumulated
Location/Year  GDD 0C

(grasses) March 1st

GDD 5C

(alfalfa) March 1st

Precipitation (mm)

April 1st
Harrow      
2021 1373 867 216
2020 1302 790 210
2019 1182 708 311
Ridgetown      
2021 1285 796 147
2020 1224 733 171
2019 1122 651 273
London      
2021 1261 786 150
2020 1155 675 195
2019 1017 587 301
Brantford      
2021 1241 762 136
2020 1147 674 159
2019 1061 617 274
Welland      
2021 1237 756 107
2020 1218 722 184
2019 1133 670 290
Elora      
2021 1116 659 125
2020 1026 593 157
2019 956 535 318
Mount Forest      
2021 1128 680 107
2020 1013 598 204
2019 929 523 129
Peterborough      
2021 1092 628 110
2020 1040 597 135
2019 954 531 292
Kemptville      
2021 1223 756 154
2020 1089 638 130
2019 988 570 203
Earlton      
2021 993 576 96
2020 813 498 211
2019 700 370 294
Sudbury      
2021 1011 593 148
2020 865 518 188
2019 700 370 271
Thunder Bay      
2021 852 461 217
2020 773 450 80
2019 622 290 174
Fort Frances      
2021 944 532 156
2020 890 533 156
2019 752 395 141