Synopsis: A forecast of prolonged dry and warmer conditions have allowed spring planting to begin in earnest as soil conditions become fit. Soil conditions look dry on the surface, but some worked fields are coming up clumpy. Heavier soils have a 2-inch surface crust but still quite wet below the crust. Challenging conditions are a […]
Flowering has begun in many winter canola fields. Two key pests in winter canola at this growth stage are cabbage seedpod weevil (CSW) and white mould (a.k.a. Sclerotinia stem rot). These are also both pests of spring canola, and the management recommendations are the same for both types of canola. Cabbage Seedpod Weevil When to […]
Nitrogen fertilizer is one the most expensive inputs required for growing a corn crop, especially this year. And with conditions having turned dry in recent days, many growers are wondering about the risk of losses following N fertilizer application. Nitrogen stabilizers are products that help to slow the conversion of nitrogen to forms that are […]
Winter Wheat Winter wheat is at Zadok’s growth stage 31 in many areas, especially if planted before mid-October. Early planted wheat has reached GS 32 in some regions and GS 33 in the deep southwest. Nitrogen applications are largely completed, even on heavier-textured soils in Niagara and Lambton County. The focus has turned to herbicide […]
Simple Summary Ontario data suggests planting date from late April to mid-May has minimal impact on corn yields After mid-May, yield declines can start and are quickest in shorter season areas Balance any risks of pushing planting dates (e.g. unfavourable weather events or unfit soil) to the yield losses expected for delaying planting within the […]
Wednesday May 5th was the first virtual Northern Breakfast Meeting of the season. There will be 3 more meetings, according to the schedule below. After short updates from the OMAFRA specialists listed, the group will discuss any current cropping questions and give updates on cropping conditions and progress across the northern regions. Contact meghan.moran@ontario.ca to […]
Winter Wheat Quite a bit of nitrogen was applied to winter wheat fields leading up to Sunday’s rain across both regions. Estimates are that 60-70% of total nitrogen (N) has been applied in the Chatham area, with 30-40% of N applied in Essex. In the Niagara/Haldimand area, 50% or more of the nitrogen has been […]
Nitrogen applications in winter wheat are progressing throughout the province as breaks in the spring rain provide opportunities to get out in the field. Tillage and other field preparations have begun. Cereals Winter wheat fields in general continue to look good across the province with many counties reporting early planted wheat at GS30 and some […]
Fall 2021/Winter 2022 Fall of 2021 was warm and open. Many regions of the province saw heavier fall growth in hay fields and pastures than normal because of the late killing frost. While this does not pose any issues for alfalfa, excessive top growth can cause smothering in grass/clover stands. Average to above-average precipitation between […]
Winter Cereals Untimely rainfalls have been putting a damper on field work across the province. The last few days have seen growers and agronomists walking fields and evaluating winterkill in both forages and winter cereals. While there are some losses in the region, particularly in low lying areas of heavier soils, the consensus is that […]
Farming is a stressful occupation at any time. However, recent world events have created significant pressures on farming operations and those who support them. While mental health has come a long way in recognition and over coming stigma, many still try to “go it alone”! While most of us are not trained in mental health, […]
Winter wheat: Applied nitrogen varies from region to region, but significant progress has been made over the last week. Estimates range from < 50% to 75% of acreage having received an application of nitrogen. Some producers that have pushed higher nitrogen rates (150 lbs N/acre) last year have opted to cut back this year by […]
Simple Summary When applying moderate amounts of P&K fertilizer (60 lb/ac of both P2O5 and K2O) at ~4″ depth with a shank-style strip tiller across 15 trials on medium to light soil textures and low to moderate soil fertility: Yields of spring strip till and P&K were significantly higher (+4 bu/ac) than where P&K was […]
Due to cool temperatures and wet conditions (in some areas) over the past week, essentially no meaningful acreage of corn or soybeans have been planted. Most field activities thus far have been field preparation such as manure applications and tillage Winter Wheat Fields that went into last winter in good shape, with uniform emergence and […]
Field Activities: Nitrogen has been applied to some winter wheat fields, but most of the crop is still without. As field and weather conditions improve, field activities will ramp up. Supply chain: Representatives from seed and crop protection providers indicated that everything appears to be in good shape at this point. Winter wheat: Fields that […]