Black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (TAW) moths have been making their way into Ontario over the last few weeks. Black cutworm in particular have been arriving since mid April in southwestern Ontario, with trap counts increasing weekly. Shout out to our new northern Ontario trap participants at the New Liskeard, Thunder Bay and Emo […]
Variable weather conditions across the province over the last week have led to a range of planting progress. Areas of the southwest are well into spring planting, with some areas estimating over 50% of the crop acres planted, while others are just getting started with field work. Growing Degree Days (GDD) are behind last year, […]
Field Conditions Soils are steadily drying out as we have more sun and wind. With warmer temperatures, more seeding and herbicide applications have been completed. Extreme winds during storm events this week resulted in a lot of soil movement out of fields that have been worked, and noticeably less soil movement in fields that have […]
Crop Conditions Cool temperatures with variable rainfall has slowed field drying. Some field work has started in the last few days where the conditions allowed. Nitrogen and sulphur applications are being made to the winter wheat crop, manure is being applied, and tillage operations are beginning. Corn planting has begun in the southwest of the […]
Soybeans grow well under various tillage systems, including conventional, minimum tillage, and no-till. Approximately two-thirds of the soybean crop in Ontario is grown with minimal tillage and no-till systems. Proper management of the tillage system is as important as the system selected. Field experience has demonstrated similar yields between tillage systems, although a global meta-analysis […]
Optimizing Combine Adjustments Operator manuals contain the best starting point for setting up a small grain harvester. Occasionally conditions arise that require further adjustments. Harvest of fusarium-damaged grain, lodged crops or crops infected with dwarf or common bunt requires special attention. The easiest and best way to improve the grain sample in these situations is […]
Field Conditions In contrast to the early warm weather experienced last year, the 2025 cropping season has so far started as more of a normal trend. This comes off the tails of a colder, snowier winter than we’ve seen in recent years. Cool temperatures have slowed field drying, and limited opportunities for much field work. […]
Winterkill Winter cereals can be destroyed during the winter and early spring period by frost heaving, ice, low temperatures, and snow mould. Varieties differ in their ability to withstand these different winter stresses. This explains the regional adaptation of some varieties that may not perform well across the province. Select the varieties to address the […]
Insects and Diseases Figure 4–8, Cereal crops scouting calendar, shows insects and diseases that could be causing symptoms in the field. Individual descriptions of insects and diseases, scouting and management strategies can be found in Chapter 15, Insects and Pests of Field Crops and Chapter 16, Diseases of Field Crops. Treatment guidelines to control insects, pests […]
Lodging of cereal crops can be a major harvest issue and can cause significant yield loss when it occurs early in the growth of the crop. Huge varietal differences exist in resistance to lodging (visit www.gocrops.ca). Nitrogen rates, use of manure, seeding rates, seeding dates, and disease infections all play a major role in lodging […]
Fungicides have become an integral part of the integrated pest management (IPM) for cereal production in Ontario over the past decade. This is due to several factors including: higher grain prices, better genetics, better fungicides, and breakdown of genetic disease resistance. Fungicide application for disease control should be based on scouting and presence of disease […]
Nitrogen Cereals are members of the grass family and are very responsive to nitrogen. Over-application of nitrogen causes lodging in cereal crops, resulting in reduced yield, quality and harvestability. See Photo 4-2. The optimum rate of nitrogen for a particular field will depend on the crop being grown, past applications of manure or fertilizer to […]
Depth of Seeding Seeding depth can have a significant impact on plant development, refer to Figure 1, Days to emergence at various seeding depths, but soil conditions at the time of planting must always dictate seeding depth. Do not plant shallow into dry soil in anticipation of rain for germination. Plant into moisture to ensure quick […]
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are applied to winter wheat to reduce plant height and increase stem thickness. Reducing the risk of lodging or delaying the onset and amount of lodging that occurs makes it easier to manage and harvest wheat. PGRs can also improve yields, particularly where moderate to severe lodging occurs. The simple answer […]
Potato leafhopper is a major alfalfa pest in Ontario. Yield losses may reach 50%, and crude protein content can drop 2-3% from heavy infestations. Potato leafhopper feeding decreases stand vigour, slows regrowth and increases winterkill. The simple answer As alfalfa gets taller it can tolerate more potato leafhoppers before action is necessary to protect forage […]