Conditions
Regions of Eastern Ontario saw heavy rainfall throughout the evening of June 21. Reports of anywhere from half an inch (15 mm) in the Eastern Lanark area to close to 5” (127 mm) of rain in parts of Renfrew were the kickoff to the last breakfast meeting for the region for the 2022 growing season. Central Ontario saw 3-5 mm, varying by region.
Agricorp is reporting approximately 150 damage reports for potential unseeded acres – totaling 14,000 acres. The deadline for soybeans to be planted is June 30, but any potential unseeded acres benefits (USAB) need to be reported to Agricorp as soon as possible. The minimum claim for USAB is 6 acres. You can still plant a crop after the deadline has passed, however it may not be covered by crop insurance. Agricorp is also reporting approximately 6500 acres of replant claims in the East-Central Region. Claims are scattered, with Belleville, Napanee and Prescott-Russell making up the majority of the claims.
Soybeans
Soybeans are reported to be around the 2nd trifoliate, with some starting into 3rd and some younger yet. Many stands appear to be stalling out a bit – they need some heat. Observations across the region are that soybeans planted in the first 10 to 15 days of May are more uniform in emergence, staging and appearance than beans that were planted later in May. Some industry professionals are suggesting the cooler night-time temperatures much of the province experienced the end of May created some challenging emergence conditions.
Corn
All reports heard on the meeting were of the corn (for the most part) being some of the best crop many people have seen in a long time. The exception to this being replant acres that are a bit behind. Corn that got sprayed prior to the 4-leaf stage is exceptionally clean, even and healthy. Some later-applied herbicide saw some heavier weed pressures take longer to get cleaned up, but residual herbicides are holding well.
Pests
There are some insect pressures to be found, as there are slugs on some silt loam soils, in both corn and soybeans. Some damage in sunflowers locally as well. The heaviest damage appears to be on deeper seeded fields.
Cereals
With the week of windy or rainy weather, many are reporting that sprayers are behind, and some of the winter wheat got missed for T3 fungicide timing. Not a lot of winter wheat reported to be lodged or down yet, and it’s on track to be a really good crop. Spring wheat is looking phenomenal; most is approaching flag leaf.
Forages
Forages are varying across East & Central regions. There is almost a line about Gananoque/Brockville to Kemptville and North, that anything east of there hasn’t had an opportunity for dry hay. Any forages/alfalfa got a good run in 10-14 days ago, but it was all going into a bunk or bag for haylage. Mature grasses are very tall (sometimes 5+ feet in height) and alfalfa was only starting to flower last week, putting it behind in maturity by about 10 days. The main complaint around forages right now is a lack of storage; many growers have concerns about where they’re going to put up second and third cuts. Heading west towards Lindsay, there has been some dry hay come off in the last 10 days, and manure is starting to go out. There are some reports of both alfalfa weevil and potato leafhopper. The weevils are in the second cut regrowth where first cut came off in May, and growers should be scouting any early cut fields. Thresholds and scouting information for both alfalfa weevil and potato leafhopper are linked.