Synopsis: Very little nitrogen has been applied to wheat, and many are now abandoning plans for split application. In most areas the wheat looks good, including late plantings. Agricorp has received very few damage claims, and are busy inspecting uninsured late planted wheat. May 1 is deadline for applying for or making changes to crop insurance. Remind […]
Synopsis: Much of the nitrogen on wheat has been applied further south (Essex) but progress has been spotty in this area. Much of the wheat further north has received no nitrogen yet which will probably mean that only one application of N will occur. (no split application) Overall the wheat looks good and Agricorp has received few calls on damage so far. There are […]
The fertilizer value of liquid hog manure is significant and can provide all the required P205 and K20 and most of the nitrogen required by a corn crop. The table below shows the average available nutrients on a per thousand imperial gallons per acre basis. The availability is based on spring applied and incorporated within […]
Cereals Winter wheat survival is quite variable across the region. Survival is better in western Ontario. As a guideline, a good stand is 12 to 18 plants per foot of row. See Agronomy Guide, Table 4-8 Determining Yield Potential for Various Plant Stand Counts. 7 plants per foot of row, evenly distributed has a 90% yield […]
With an increase in the number of confirmed populations of glyphosate resistant Canada fleabane in Ontario, many are looking for ways to control these populations and to eliminate any seed production. Management options in soybeans have been discussed in an earlier post, but with weed control in cereal crops imminent it is worth reviewing the […]
With corn planting season soon upon us, it is a good time to remind everyone to take extra precautions to try to reduce the risk to bees being exposed to neonicotinoid contaminated dust from corn planters. Virtually all corn seed is treated with a neonicotinoid insecticide (ie. Poncho or Cruiser), and with over 200 incidences […]
Synopsis: Sugar beet and potato plantings began last week, with carrots and onions ready to plant. Ground conditions have been tremendous, but will only deteriorate. Wheat looks excellent. Significant nitrogen was applied (up to 50% of acres) in some areas, with loss concerns after heavy rains. Hay and spring cereal seeding made good progress, red […]
Frost heaving can significantly damage alfalfa plants, leaving stands with much less or even zero yield potential. Plants may initially appear undamaged, but taproots are typically broken and unable to pick up enough nutrients or moisture, and stands eventually die. Frost heaving of alfalfa happens when repeated freezing and thawing pushes the tap root and crown out of the soil. […]
Highlights: Glyphosate resistance: hot button issue over the winter has been glyphosate resistant weeds, particularly Canada fleabane. Awareness is good at retail, but not at farm gate, where it varies from excellent to “what does fleabane look like?”. From Essex to Niagara, assume that fleabane is resistant. Control options are limited in no till soys […]
Below is a summary of all weed samples sent into the University of Guelph by producers and agronomists that suspected resistance to a particular herbicide during the 2012 season. Also included are herbicide options with different modes of action that are effective on each species. The latest summary of glyphosate resistant Canada fleabane and Giant […]
Purpose: Aftermarket planter modifications to control row unit down pressure have been well promoted into the Ontario marketplace, and are advertised for their ability to improve planter function, and final yields. The basic principles behind the modifications have merit, but the relative yield impacts of the different modifications, and their ability to respond above and […]
According to Environment Canada, atmospheric sulphur dioxide emissions were reduced by over 50% from 1990 to 2010. Although this is a positive outcome for emissions reductions it does signal an inevitable need to ensure that field crops have an adequate supply of this essential nutrient. A study was initiated in 2011 to determine how varying […]
Does ESN pay in spring wheat? Results from two on-farm sites in eastern Ontario showed no advantage in grain yield or protein content with the use of ESN in 2011 (see Table 1). There was also no significant difference in residue soil nitrogen levels. As expected there was also no impact in the percentage of […]
We are looking for growers who are interested in participating in our study this spring/summer. Art Schaafsma (UGRC) and myself have received funding to work on some particular questions with regards to corn planter dust and bee incidences. We are looking for 2 corn growers per county from the following counties: Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, […]
Dr. Rebecca Hallett will be offering a Swede Midge Identification Workshop on Friday, April 5th from 10 am to noon, University of Guelph. Session in the lab, looking at swede midge and other easily confused insects on sticky cards with naked eye and microscope; swede midge specimens on sticky cards and in alcohol under microscope; […]