Winchester Breakfast Meeting – Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Soybeans
- Sudden Death Syndrome has been prevalent in Eastern Ontario with frequent rains. Seed genetics and seed treatments are integral parts of managing disease pressures on years with frequent rainfalls.
- SDS is soil borne, so it won’t “blow in” but does have potential to move with soil contamination on equipment moving from field to field.
- Fusarium Wilt is also quite widespread – soybeans with high infection levels seem to have more than one disease pressuring them. More info on Fusarium Wilt can be found here.
- Fields that received timely fungicide applications look quite promising for yield, and are staying clean.
- White mould infections seem to be more widespread in varieties that flowered over a long period of time, as the window of exposure was wider.
- There are some spider mites in the Renfrew area, that likely should have been sprayed, but window was quite tight with frequent rainfalls. There is a lab at Western University in Windsor looking for mite samples (Protocols found in this article) to monitor Lagon and Cygon resistance.
- Some soybeans are quite tall and have begun to lodge in heavy rains.
Corn
- There are cases of Western Bean Cutworm damage in corn, and worms are quite large.
- DON spores at silking were high in some areas, but silking timing was variable across Eastern Ontario. DON survey will be conducted in the next couple of weeks across Ontario.
- As of September 9th, most corn was at full dent, and 1/3-1/2 milk line. Silage was expected to start the week after the meeting.
- European Corn Borer in non-Bt corn were a bit higher this year, specifically at the Winchester Research Station
- Tar spot spores are low locally, and not anticipated to be an issue this fall.
- Corn rootworm issues are being reported, in fields with a history of corn on corn. Rotation is an effective method for rootworm control.
Field Amendments
- Lime applications are lower this year, as quantities are down, and frequent rainfalls made accessing fields challenging.
Arnprior Breakfast Meeting – Tuesday, September 22, 2026
- Some areas received a light frost both Friday night and Monday night, with a heavier frost Tuesday night, potentially injuring some shorter maturity corn hybrids.
Soybeans
- Beans are started, or growers are trying to start harvesting. Moistures are reasonable and field conditions are suitable. Some fall wheat is started on earlier harvested fields, but is anticipated to continue as bean harvest continues.
- Some lower yields in areas with high disease pressure, but overall yields are promising.
- Locally, fall wheat acres are expected to be up a bit, with a few growers trying to add wheat to their rotation.
- Some acres are receiving pre-harvest burndowns, allowing for more manageable harvest in terms of crop maturity, as well as an additional weed control opportunity on those acres.
Corn
- Silage is well underway, with many started or even done already. Frost events will change dry down and moisture of the stand, so it is likely to see more silage acres start this week.
- The least mature corn is 1/3 milkline, but lots is ¾ milkline already.
Other Crops
- There is growing interest in winter triticale, as it fits both a ration and a crop rotation well. Many are putting it after soybeans or corn silage harvest.
- Some triticale acres harvested this spring received a manure application and then were seeded into sorghum-sudangrass for an additional annual forage option.
- Feed inventories are excellent, and silage is yielding well.
- Winter canola is in, most that is anticipated. (Agricorp planting deadline for this region is approaching).
- Spring canola has been harvested/is just wrapping up. Yields are good, and producers are pleased.
- Not a lot of biosolids or amendments have been applied yet, but with the forecast looking good, many are planning for applications after soybeans.
- Lots of regrowth in winter wheat fields is providing good soil cover for fall and winter.
Reminders
SAVE THE DATE: Manure Expo – Elora, ON, August 10-12. More information to available here.
Area X.O is hosting an open house Tuesday, September 29th. More info can be found on their homepage.
Agricorp
Some planting and reporting deadlines are approaching. Please check the Agricorp website for specific deadlines for your region.
Next Meetings
Winchester: Wednesday, October 14th @ 7:30am (breakfast), meeting at 8:00am
Winchester Country Kitchen, Winchester ON
Arnprior: Tuesday, October 20th, @ 8:00am
PJ’s Diner & Restaurant, Arnprior