Field Conditions
Soils are steadily drying out as we have more sun and wind. With warmer temperatures, more seeding and herbicide applications have been completed. Extreme winds during storm events this week resulted in a lot of soil movement out of fields that have been worked, and noticeably less soil movement in fields that have residue cover.
Image 1. Wind erosion in the Ridgetown area on April 29th
Image 2. Soil in the ditch following extreme winds on April 29th
Weeds
Perennial ryegrass in wheat at this time is usually plants that emerged in the fall and are now too big to control. Focus on stunting the ryegrass to prevent it from flowering and setting seed.
Several species of bluegrass have been observed, and the three most common are roughstalk bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass and annual bluegrass. The best herbicide option depends on which species is present. It is easiest to identify when it is flowering. Samples can be sent to University of Guelph for resistance testing – contact mike.cowbrough@ontario.ca or ftardif@uoguelph.ca.
Comprehensive info on waterhemp can be found on FieldCropNews.com.
Winter Wheat
Reports of winter damage in winter wheat is low. Wheat is at growth stage 30-31 with some fields approaching growth stage 32. Most wheat, triticale, rye and barley have received some nitrogen and sulphur whether that be through a first pass or all in a single application. Second applications will be applied in the coming weeks. Herbicide and PGR (plant growth regulator) applications are being made. Disease levels to date have been low. Where there has been snow mould the wheat stands are thinner. Yield losses vary depending on the level of snow mould infection. Stripe rust has not yet been observed in nearby US states and is not an imminent threat to Ontario wheat. Spring cereal planting continues as the conditions allow.
Soybeans
Soybean seeding has begun in the southern counties on fields with lighter soils, and on some areas of heavier clay which have been getting quite dry. While some feel that there are advantages to planting soybeans early and planting corn after, recently summarized data from University of Guelph and OMAFA suggested the optimal planting window for both crops are similar. Yield response to planting date plateaus then declines around the same dates for both crops, although drying costs and grade discounts for corn factor into the economics of optimal planting date. Producers might consider prioritizing early planting in fields that are intended for winter wheat later in the season.
It can be easy to confuse soybean varieties and the different various herbicide traits available, and what variety is seeded in each field. Signs on fields can help mitigate mis-sprays, which are not an insurable peril.
Corn
Corn planting has begun on fields with lighter soils, and there are reports from the southern counties of up to 30% planting completed. Some growers have reported they are done corn planting. Emergence has been slow because of fluctuating temperatures, and in some fields the corn has stayed underground for more than a week. For most, the priorities this week are spreading manure, fertilizer and applying pre-emergence herbicides.
Forages
Alfalfa has overwintered well, but the cool conditions so far have kept growth slow. Forage inventories are strong, with plenty of crop carried over from past years. This may decrease the number of acres seeded to perennial forage crops.
Winter Canola
Some herbicide carryover injury has been observed and although not yet confirmed, it is suspected to be Group 5 herbicides (e.g. metribuzin) used in soybeans two seasons prior to canola. Symptoms observed include prolific leaf growth, small and misshapen leaves, small clusters of flower buds (e.g. fewer buds than normal at the top of the main stem) and brittle flower buds that fall off when touched. Herbicide carryover often appears in strange patterns in the field, not every plant in an area will be affected. Before seeding canola, producers should make a list of all the herbicides used on a field in the past 2 years and check the cropping restrictions for each product. One way to do this is search the herbicides on the Ontario Crop Protection Hub and view the “Recropping Info” tab. Contact meghan.moran@ontario.ca if you have questions.
Agricorp Deadlines
May 10th is the deadline for the following:
- Apply for production loss coverage (without winterkill) for fall rye and winter wheat.
- Apply for or make changes to coverage for Production Insurance.
- Pay your premium for Forage Rainfall Insurance.
- Apply for or make changes to coverage for Risk Management Program: Grains & Oilseeds.
The federal and provincial governments have extended the deadline for new and existing AgriStability customers to secure 2025 coverage to July 31, 2025.
Please refer to www.agricorp.com for up-to-date information.
Arnprior Meeting Minutes – April 29th, 2025
Field Work Progress
- Lots of manure going out, storages are getting full, putting some pressure on growers to apply.
- Some no-till soybeans being planted this week.
- Spring cereal planting is just getting started.
Cereals
- Winter survival good, a few select fields very late planted and struggling to come ahead, going to re-evaluate in the next week.
- Some flooding, ponding damage.
- Wheat is not yet at GS 31 – no nodes yet – but is expected to be at GS30-31 by the end of the week.
- Populations are good around the area, but noticing a 15-20% increase in populations of fields planted with certified treated seed compared to fields seeded with bin run seed.
Canola
- Market price is holding fairly well.
- A lot of winterkill in the region – fields anticipated to be written off
- Some slug damage in the fall, but was anticipating populations still being okay going into winter months.
- Suspecting a lot of the cause of winter injury/kill is because of moisture. Some of the canola looked good 4-6 weeks ago as the snow left but has since died in cool, damp weather.
Forages
- Growers are planning to pull 4-5 year old stands out this year, put them back next year. Winter survival overall is good.
- Producers need approximately 1 ac corn silage per cow, and between 0.5-0.75ac forage/alfalfa per cow for each year.
- Lower than average quality forages last year – cool, wet spring brought grasses on early and wet weather at harvest also deteriorated. Some quite low in protein. A lot of this wasn’t caught until into the fall/winter months.
- If you’re holding on to a stand a bit long, make sure you’re applying adequate fertilizer; Nitrogen & Sulfur are critical to make protein in the feed.
Corn
- Few acres in, not yet at 5%.
- More corn, pulling hay out of the rotation.
- Not all seed in place/on farm.
Soybeans
- Some bean acres starting. More interest in starting beans this week over corn.
- Some are suggesting a 6-8 bu/ac yield advantage to April planted soybeans.
- Sudden death syndrome (SDS) and Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) pressure holds some growers back in the southwest, but that’s not necessarily a constraint around here.
Weeds
- Lot of dandelion pressure both in unworked/unplanted fields, but also in winter crops (wheat, canola, rye, etc).
- Enlist bean growers should be planning on a pre burndown this spring.
- Eragon likes sun and warm. It will likely have a higher efficacy if sprayed during the day, and on warmer days.
- There is not a lot of pre-emerge herbicide planned for this year.
Cobourg Meeting Minutes – April 29, 2025
- Clean up from the March 28th ice storm is ongoing. Orchards and maple syrup operations have been negatively affected. Field crop activities may be delayed by fallen limbs blocking field access or lying in headlands.
- Winter cereals are generally in very good condition after winter. Probably half of winter wheat acres have received some nitrogen. The forecast is favourable in the next few days for more fertilizer to be applied. Herbicide applications with residual action should be applied this week to keep ahead of weed pressure.
- Alfalfa has overwintered well, but the cool conditions so far have kept growth slow.
- Less than 5% of intended corn acres have been planted. Intentions are for more corn acres this year than last year in the region.
- Less than 2% of intended soybean acres have been planted.
- Intentions for edible beans suggest that white bean acres in the region will be higher, but adzuki and coloured bean acres will be less.
- Spring canola acreage is expected to be similar to 2024. There is growing interest in winter canola in the region.
Mount Forest Meeting Minutes – April 30, 2025
Cereals
- In general, winter wheat looks good. Winter survival issues are generally low but more damage reports have started to come in as wheat greens up and grows.
- Most new damage reports are largely coming from midwestern Ontario and are often associated with known risks like late planting, poor planting depth, fertility issues, no starter fertilizer used at planting, etc.
- Snow mould has also been an issue for areas with excessive snowfall, hitting rye and triticale more than wheat. Most of these fields are for livestock feed so will be kept and double cropped with corn or soybeans.
- If your wheat is insured, call Agricorp before making any management decisions.
- Most winter wheat is just at growth stage 30 maybe 31.
- Spring wheat planting has been spotty and getting late, spring cereal acres will likely be down.
- A lot of questions around control of perennial weeds in wheat, particularly ryegrasses and bluegrasses (see weeds section).
Corn
- Corn planting is really just getting rolling in the area, some of the earliest planting starting the Easter long weekend, but most starting later last week through early this week.
- Cool weather/soils has tempered the pace in some areas.
- Towards the south end of the territory covered by those in attendance (south Huron, North Middlesex and Lambton) corn may be 25% planted.
Soybeans
- Soybeans also just getting rolling in the area. A lot of soybean planting is concurrent with corn planting. Growers have had good success with early planting of soybeans the last couple years and are more interested in doing this.
- In some areas, there has been more focus on starting with soybeans and waiting for warmer/fitter conditions before corn. Most are generally waiting with IP soybeans.
- Should you plant corn or soybeans first?
- This depends on yield/economic (drying costs and grade discounts for corn) curves by planting date.
- New data from Dr. Dave Hooker (University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus) trials over 4 years shows that corn and soybean yield plateaus and declines by planting date are very similar, optimum planting windows for both crops are very similar. In simple, plant both in good time.
Weed Control
- Conversation revolved around perennial grass control in wheat
- Ryegrass
- Spring issues are mostly from fall emerged ryegrass, this ryegrass is too big to control, focus on stunting and preventing flowering/seed set, some herbicide options exist
- Bluegrass
- Several species have shown up in screening, but the 3 most common ones are:
- roughstalk bluegrass
- Kentucky bluegrass
- Annual bluegrass
- Best herbicide options depend on which species is present, can’t treat all bluegrasses the same (often need to wait until flowering to best identify)
- Samples can be sent to University of Guelph for identification and resistance testing
- Several species have shown up in screening, but the 3 most common ones are:
- Ryegrass
Manure
- Significant manure applications this past week
Ridgetown Meeting Minutes – April 29, 2025
Field Conditions
- Steadily improving over the past couple of weeks
- Soils drying out well with sun and wind especially
- Could use a rain, especially where fertilizer has been applied
Cereals
- In the southwest, the crop looks excellent overall. Snow mould more prevalent to the north in some areas.
- Some fields on Lambton clay are in need of a rain, with wheat and barley looking tougher as soils continue to dry.
- Some streaking in fields from fertilizer application, most likely due to lack of moisture to move N & S into soil for uptake. No benefit to additional fertilizer, rain needed.
- N applications are pretty much wrapped up.
- Growing rapidly as days warm, moving ahead in development with most fields being at GS 30-31.
- Herbicide applications are starting, weeds are growing. Appears to be more pennycress and purple deadnettle appearing than normal. Those who may be double cropping soybeans need to be aware of re-cropping intervals.
- PGR applications are starting and growers are reminded that timing is critical.
- Wheat looks clean and disease free thus far. Stripe rust incidence is behind normal in US so far, not an imminent threat for ON wheat.
Corn
- Rapid start to planting last week, as lighter soils have gotten fit. Planting progress in area at 30-40% on sandy and loamy ground and just getting started on clay soils. Some producers are finished planting.
- Emergence has been slow, due to roller coaster of temperature with some some corn being under ground for 10 days.
- To the north, manure application has been primary focus in early spring, now moving to corn planting.
- Major priority for pre-emerge herbicides to be applied in a timely manner, rather than on seeding everything first.
- Some producers have been burnt in past years by delayed herbicide applications due to weather, and in some cases missed applications and going to back up plans.
Soybeans
- Planting progress ranging from 0-10% across the area.
- Lighter soils, or heavier soils with little crop residue are being planted earlier.
- Pre-emerge herbicide timing critical as well.
Pasture/forages
- Noted that some pastures have been slower to recover this spring, likely due to open fall and overgrazing.
Weeds
- Burndown/setup programs to target Canada fleabane and waterhemp:
- IP soybeans: glyphosate + Eragon + Sencor
- E3 soybeans: glyphosate + Eragon + Enlist Duo/One
- Xtend soybeans: glyphosate + Eragon + dicamba
- Corn: Acuron OR Integrity OR Callisto + atrazine PP/PRE. Higher rate of mesotrione can be used preplant/pre-emerge, and this has better control than Callisto + atrazine used POST.
- In season to target Canada fleabane and waterhemp in wheat: Infinity OR Pixxaro M
- Soil-applied herbicides are major focus on corn and soybeans – estimated 90% of producers in southwest are applying residuals ahead of crop emergence
- Huge economic return to soil-applied herbicides compared to POST only programs
- Escapes from residual programs are smaller, weaker, easier to kill in-season
- Common ragweed noted as surprising that it has developed resistance to multiple herbicide groups, including 4-way resistance in some areas. Can be a major challenge in IP soybeans or dry beans.
- Group 27 resistant pigweed species are being identified more often. Showing marked difference in control between application timings. Soil-applied herbicides provide excellent control and post emergent provide very pool control.
Diseases/insects
- Crop disease survey has begun. Looking for samples across crops for analysis and testing.
- Crop Protection Network maps are available showing movement and detection of several important diseases: https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/maps?collections=%5B%22Maps%22%5D.
Soils
- Soil survey team is going across the province to sample and update soil survey maps for improved accuracy.
- Sampling of fields ongoing in Kent and Lambton this spring, working in several locations across the province in past and future years as well.
- Data to be posted and available at Ontario Soils Geohub: https://ontario-soils-geohub-ontarioca11.hub.arcgis.com/.
Diagnostic Days: July 8 & 9, 2025
OMAFA Weather Summary: Thurs April 24—Wed April 30, 2025
| Location | Highest Temp (°C) | Lowest Temp (°C) | Rain for Week (mm) | Rain Since April 1st (mm) | GDD0C April 1st | GDD5C April 1st |
| HARROW | ||||||
| 2025 | 26.6 | 1.2 | 5.4 | 77.3 | 257 | 130 |
| 2024 | 25.6 | -3.4 | 45.2 | 124.0 | 323 | 172 |
| 2023 | 16.2 | -2.4 | 26.8 | 53.7 | 275 | 136 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 15.5 | 3.3 | 25.2 | 89.6 | 227 | 79 |
| RIDGETOWN | ||||||
| 2025 | 26.8 | -1.5 | 0.6 | 61.3 | 237 | 111 |
| 2024 | 25.5 | -3.4 | 42.5 | 125.4 | 293 | 145 |
| 2023 | 13.6 | -1.6 | 23.2 | 100.4 | 259 | 128 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 14.7 | 1.2 | 20.1 | 77.0 | 197 | 54 |
| SARNIA | ||||||
| 2025 | 28.6 | 1.8 | 11.1 | 116.5 | 228 | 108 |
| 2024 | 27.0 | -2.3 | 16.9 | 81.5 | 286 | 142 |
| 2023 | 14.7 | -2.2 | 23.2 | 96.5 | 264 | 132 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 14.2 | 2.1 | 21.2 | 83.3 | 188 | 48 |
| LONDON | ||||||
| 2025 | 26.1 | 1.5 | 19.5 | 108.9 | 212 | 98 |
| 2024 | 24.7 | -1.6 | 34.7 | 110.4 | 284 | 133 |
| 2023 | 13.9 | -0.5 | 22.2 | 128.6 | 252 | 121 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 15.2 | 1.7 | 20.4 | 89.5 | 187 | 48 |
| BRANTFORD | ||||||
| 2025 | 27.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 96.3 | 223 | 105 |
| 2024 | 21.0 | -2.5 | 14.4 | 81.0 | 256 | 111 |
| 2023 | 13.7 | -2.0 | 13.5 | 103.7 | 245 | 113 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 18.0 | 1.2 | 22.6 | 100.5 | 173 | 38 |
| WELLAND | ||||||
| 2025 | 26.3 | -0.4 | 8.8 | 54.9 | 223 | 102 |
| 2024 | 22.0 | -2.7 | 2.7 | 105.2 | 278 | 129 |
| 2023 | 16.3 | -1.9 | 24.2 | 98.1 | 259 | 122 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 15.9 | 2.2 | 20.8 | 94.2 | 192 | 52 |
| GODERICH | ||||||
| 2025 | 23.6 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 78.1 | 196 | 85 |
| 2024 | 25.0 | -2.2 | 11.7 | 88.3 | 248 | 109 |
| 2023 | 14.5 | -3.5 | 12.7 | 60.4 | 227 | 109 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 13.7 | 1.0 | 18.5 | 76.5 | 156 | 26 |
| ELORA | ||||||
| 2025 | 26.3 | -0.2 | 15.0 | 97.4 | 189 | 82 |
| 2024 | 20.4 | -3.0 | 28.5 | 98.0 | 221 | 84 |
| 2023 | 12.9 | -4.3 | 16.3 | 83.9 | 215 | 98 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 14.2 | -0.2 | 20.0 | 93.0 | 144 | 18 |
| MOUNT FOREST | ||||||
| 2025 | 26.4 | -0.4 | 4.3 | 84.8 | 186 | 83 |
| 2024 | 19.3 | -2.9 | 26.3 | 124.2 | 217 | 84 |
| 2023 | 13.5 | -2.7 | 24.7 | 106.0 | 215 | 102 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 13.7 | 0.0 | 19.2 | 82.7 | 132 | 14 |
| BARRIE | ||||||
| 2025 | 28.1 | -0.6 | 7.4 | 79.6 | 159 | 57 |
| 2024 | 19.6 | -4.0 | 40.3 | 195.9 | 197 | 63 |
| 2023 | 14.5 | -3.4 | 21.9 | 103.7 | 209 | 92 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 13.7 | -0.5 | 19.0 | 81.7 | 128 | 13 |
| PETERBOROUGH | ||||||
| 2025 | 24.9 | -0.9 | 5.7 | 74.3 | 180 | 69 |
| 2024 | 23.7 | -6.3 | 38.2 | 144.2 | 216 | 78 |
| 2023 | 16.5 | -2.7 | 33.1 | 98.5 | 231 | 105 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 14.8 | -0.2 | 18.4 | 81.7 | 151 | 25 |
| KEMPTVILLE | ||||||
| 2025 | 25.3 | -0.5 | 13.5 | 89.9 | 183 | 69 |
| 2024 | 24.2 | -4.0 | 25.5 | 123.1 | 215 | 77 |
| 2023 | 19.5 | -0.5 | 50.7 | 141.6 | 241 | 119 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 15.4 | 0.9 | 15.4 | 87.8 | 160 | 35 |
| SUDBURY | ||||||
| 2025 | 19.9 | -5.2 | 36.9 | 67.7 | 97 | 23 |
| 2024 | 14.0 | -9.9 | 47.5 | 190.3 | 137 | 29 |
| 2023 | 18.2 | -2.0 | 35.8 | 107.0 | 131 | 55 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 12.8 | -2.0 | 19.3 | 83.8 | 67 | 3 |
| EARLTON | ||||||
| 2025 | 20.0 | -5.4 | 32.6 | 68.2 | 73 | 15 |
| 2024 | 15.3 | -11.6 | 23.3 | 141.1 | 124 | 23 |
| 2023 | 17.1 | -1.9 | 33.9 | 94.4 | 122 | 44 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 12.9 | -3.3 | 17.1 | 66.2 | 43 | 1 |
| SAULT STE MARIE | ||||||
| 2025 | 19.5 | -1.0 | 28.4 | 95.9 | 105 | 24 |
| 2024 | 20.1 | -6.4 | 43.3 | 137.4 | 160 | 37 |
| 2023 | 17.7 | -2.8 | 13.7 | 78.9 | 136 | 57 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 13.2 | -2.5 | 20.1 | 84.2 | 66 | 3 |
| THUNDER BAY | ||||||
| 2025 | 15.2 | -6.3 | 51.2 | 104.4 | 63 | 5 |
| 2024 | 13.5 | -7.1 | 18.7 | 58.0 | 116 | 16 |
| 2023 | 10.6 | -6.1 | 32.0 | 81.6 | 75 | 19 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 13.1 | -4.8 | 11.1 | 49.4 | 56 | 2 |
| FORT FRANCES | ||||||
| 2025 | 17.5 | -3.5 | 26.2 | 67.3 | 99 | 16 |
| 2024 | 19.9 | -6.4 | 22.0 | 37.6 | 133 | 24 |
| 2023 | 11.1 | -7.3 | 6.0 | 41.4 | 83 | 24 |
| 10 YR Norm (2011-2020) | 14.8 | -1.9 | 11.7 | 43.6 | 77 | 5 |
This weather summary is compiled by OMAFA using Environment Canada weather station data provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Data quality is verified but accuracy is not guaranteed and should be used for general information purposes only. For additional locations and weather analysis, visit the OMAFA Pest and Weather System (PAWS)