Winter 2024 and Spring 2025 Conditions Regular freeze-thaw cycles occurred, but with so much snow cover across most of the province, few fields were exposed to very cold air temperatures. Springtime reports indicated there was below-average alfalfa winterkill. On March 28th, 2025 an ice storm struck central and eastern Ontario, as well as the counties […]
Registration for the 2026 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) is now open. The Great Lakes YEN works to help farmers improve crop returns through a greater understanding of crop performance. The Great Lakes YEN is currently focused on winter wheat and covers the geographic area of the Province of Ontario, Canada, and the Great […]
Efficient Grain Drying Techniques for Quality & Profitability Hosted by the Engineering and Innovation Unit, Environmental Management Branch, OMAFA Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST) Virtual: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QpJhYp_hQ5OCkZvTfkkPhA Meeting ID: 841 3257 1925 (Registration is free) Passcode: CxisM0 Join us for an enlightening evening with two leading experts in agricultural […]
In 2025, there were nearly 46,000 acres of canola insured by Agricorp. This includes winter canola seeded in 2024 and spring canola seeded in 2025. There were about 12% fewer acres compared to last season. Spring Canola Acres of spring canola in the Temiskaming District, where the greatest acreage of canola is grown in Ontario, […]
OMAFA field crop specialists in collaboration with Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) and members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA) have completed the 2025 annual Ontario corn ear mould and DON mycotoxin survey. Corn ear moulds such as Gibberella and their corresponding mycotoxins occur every year in Ontario. These mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol (DON, also referred […]
Wind erosion can cause significant soil loss. This fall, consider how your residue management and tillage practices can help reduce risk of erosion by wind over the winter and into next spring. […]
As seed orders are being finalized, it’s a good time to reassess whether insecticide seed treatments are truly needed. A comprehensive 4-year study led by Dr. Jocelyn Smith at the University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus evaluated 129 corn and 31 soybean field trials across Ontario. The study compared fungicide-only seed treatments (FST) with neonicotinoid […]
Co-Authored with Shane McClure and Middlesex Soil and Crop Improvement Association Purpose: Adequate soil phosphorus (P) and potash (K) levels are essential to produce high yielding crops. With high fertilizer prices it is important to use the fertilizer as efficiently as possible. Using starter fertilizer can be an effective way to apply fertilizer but what […]
Production Requirements Soil Types: Switchgrass is suited to most soil types. Yields are lower on extremely heavy or light soils Soil pH: 6.0–6.8 Recommended Rotational Crops: Switchgrass is a long-term perennial crop and rotation crops do not apply. Cereal crops may serve as nurse crops during establishment Minimum Soil Temperature: 10°C Optimum Air Temperature: 24°C–29°C […]
Production Requirements Soil Types: Sunflowers are suited to most soil types. Yields are lower on poorly drained or very light soils Soil pH: 6.0–7.5 Recommended Rotational Crops: Corn, cereal crops Should Not Rotate With: Soybeans, dry edible beans, canola, camelina and buckwheat Minimum Soil Temperature: 6°C Optimum Air Temperature: 25°C–28°C Earliest Planting Date: Early May […]
Production Requirements Soil Types: Sandy and loam soils. Soils prone to crusting may drastically reduce germination Soil pH: 4.8–8.5 Recommended Rotational Crops: Corn, cereal crops Minimum Soil Temperature: 5°C–10°C Optimum Air Temperature: Prefers a temperate to semi-arid climate. Temperatures above 35°C may cause plant dormancy or pollen sterility Earliest Planting Date: Plant early, similar to […]
Production Requirements Soil Types: Miscanthus is suited to most soil types. Yields are lower on extremely heavy or light soils Soil pH: 5.4–6.8 Recommended Rotational Crops: Miscanthus is a long-term perennial and crop rotations do not apply. Wheat or other cereals may act as a nurse crop during establishment Minimum Soil Temperature: 4°C for planting […]
Production Requirements Soil Types: Well-drained soils, light to medium textured soils Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline soils Preferred Rotational Crops: Cereals Should Not Rotate With: Canola, dry edible beans, soybeans, sunflowers or buckwheat Minimum Soil Temperature: Has been broadcast onto frozen ground in early December under no-till conditions Optimum Air Temperature: 20°C–25°C Earliest Planting Date: […]
Production Requirements Soil Types: Prefers well drained soils. Reduced yields on extremely heavy or light textured soil types Soil pH: 6.0–7.5 Recommended Rotational Crops: 4-year rotation with cereals or corn Should not plant after: canola, edible beans, soybeans, buckwheat or sunflowers Minimum Soil Temperature: 4°C–6°C (seedlings are sensitive to frost) Optimum Air Temperature: 25°C–28°C Earliest […]
Production Requirements Soil Types: Well-drained loam, silt loam or clay loam soils are preferred Soil pH: >5.6 Preferred Rotational Crops: Corn, cereal crops Minimum Soil Temperature: 3°C Optimum Air Temperature: 10°C–27°C Earliest Planting Date: Early to late April Required Growing Season: 90–115 days Flax is a versatile crop that has been an ingredient in oil-based […]