Soybeans are very responsive to crop rotation. Limiting the number of soybeans in a rotation plays an important role in soybean health. It is an essential factor influencing yields, especially in a dry growing season or a year when soybean disease and pest pressure is high. Table 1, Soybean Yield Response to Tillage and Rotation, […]
Cereal Residue When soybeans follow a cereal crop, pay special attention to the management of cereal residue, beginning at harvest to avoid problems with soybean establishment. In research trials conducted at the University of Guelph, removal of the wheat straw improved seedbed conditions, stand establishment, growth, and yield of no-till soybeans. Results are shown in […]
Figure 1, Soybean Growth Stages illustrates plant growth stages from emergence to full maturity. The system used to describe soybean growth stages divides plant development into two stages: vegetative (V) — leaves and nodes — and reproductive (R) — flowers, pods and seeds. The V stage refers to the number of nodes on the main […]
Cereal leaf beetle (CLB) adults and eggs have been spotted at low levels in some of the YEN cereal sites being monitored this year. Best to scout fields with a known history of CLB activity soon and plan to check all cereal fields a few times over the next few weeks until the head is […]
Field work has progressed quickly in the last week and a half. Soil temperatures are still cool, resulting in slow crop emergence. Cereals Sulphur deficiencies continue to be reported in winter wheat. Options to correct this deficiency include streaming on liquid ammonium sulphate, (ATS) cut with water, or spreading dry ammonium sulphate. Be aware of […]
Co-authored with Albert Tenuta, Pathologist, Field Crops and Peter Johnson, Agronomist, Real Agriculture As of May 12, 2025 stripe and leaf rust had been identified in a small number of fields in Perth (Leanne Frietag) and Grey (Deb Campbell) counties. However, as of May 27, 2025 stripe rust has continued to progress and has been […]
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 […]