Forage yield expectations are variable, but well below normal in many areas. Alfalfa fields severely damage by winterkill and disease are being harvested early and planted into corn for silage. (Planting Corn Silage After Early Haylage Harvest www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/field/forages/corn_earlyhay.htm) Planning to summer seed alfalfa following winter wheat is an option for those that have experienced significant […]
When grubs hit hard, forage supplies dwindle fast! Stand loss in hay fields and pastures due to grub damage is becoming more common. Warm open falls and warm springs are ideal for grub feeding activity. (Figure 1) The result is a thin, weedy stand with low yields , and poor resistance to drought. Grubs prefer […]
Discussion: From mid-April to mid-May, eastern Ontario accumulated 200 to 250 CHUs. Since May 1st, the area has accumulated 150 to 200 CHUs. Cereals Planting is virtually complete. Stands look good overall, but dry conditions at planting time/variable planting depth is resulting in some stand unevenness. Early seeded fields are at the 4 leaf stage […]
Fifty to sixty per cent of the crop is now seeded. Some producers are finished. Very early planted beans have emerged. Under cool conditions it can take 30 days for beans to emerge. In warm temperatures beans can emerge in 4 to 7 days. Crusting has been a problem in a few areas, but not […]
The warmer temperatures this week have made for faster grass growth. Using a quick rotation to graze all paddocks before the grass becomes mature is important. In a rotational system look to the last paddock in the rotation and adjust the rotation speed to arrive at the last paddock when it is at the right […]
Corn planting is 95 % complete across the province. Emergence is good to excellent in most areas with the majority of the corn in the 1-3 leaf stage. Weed control should be the priority as the crop approaches the critical 3-4 leaf stage. Cutworm injury has been reported in some areas south of London. Scout fields […]
Winter cereals are far ahead of normal development. Rye and barley are in full head, advanced wheat fields are at head emergence. Combines need to be ready to harvest two weeks earlier than ever before. Dry weather and low fusarium risk has some growers questioning the need for fusarium control. Remember that the fusarium fungicides Caramba […]
Early planted canola is at 1-2 leaf and later April planted canola is cotyledon to 1 leaf stage. Heavy rains in several areas resulted in crusting and emergence issues. Flea beetle pressure is high in some areas. Populations are highest in field borders. Scout emerged canola for flea beetles up to 4 leaf stage. Threshold […]
Included: Weed control updates, wheat stage and spraying, aphids, forage management options, corn, soybeans, tour invitation. Synopsis: A recollection from a well seasoned farmer: the last time weather like this occured was in 1945! DRY! The region has missed any rains of significance. Corn emergence is excellent, soybean planting is 75% complete, edible bean plantings will […]
I’m working on an early warning system for producers, which will be able to identify diseases before they are visible in the field. Below is a video that the University of Guelph SPARK (Students Promoting Awareness of Research Knowledge) put that nicely summarizes the project. […]
There are many different diseases which are caused by various fungal pathogens that affect cereals in Ontario. The foliar diseases (powdery mildew, leaf rust, Septoria leaf spot, Septoria (Stagonospora) glume blotch and tan spot) and Fuarium Head Blight (FHB) can cause significant yield losses if not managed correctly. Although these diseases occur in all […]
by Doug Young, University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus Monday April 23, 2012 was a reminder that wind erosion can be a serious issue in Ontario (photo 1). Soils are most vulnerable to wind erosion when they are bare or when crops are newly emerged. Photo 1: Wind erosion south of Ridgetown ON, April 23, […]
There have been some reports of alfalfa weevil causing damage in some stands and I was out this week to have a look at some fields. The weevils are certainly out there. Considering that some alfalfa fields are hurting from frost damage, some produces may consider holding off on the first cut to let the […]
Highlights: Planting progress on clay soils, crop germination and emergence, forage management, cutworm scouting, wheat staging and herbicide/fungicide application, problem weeds, While corn planting is essentially completed in many areas north of 401, to the south and into the Niagara area corn progress well over half to finishing up on the lighter soils and emergence […]
Farmers are full of optimism. Corn and soybean prices hit unprecedented highs in 2011. Although there has been some volatility in the markets, many farmers are responding to high anticipated prices by again increasing their intended acres of corn and soybeans. It’s no secret that there was a loss of forage acreage last year, but […]