Cover Crops for Weed Management It’s the time of year when Ontario farmers are turning their attention to seeding cover crops following cereal harvest. Each grower has their own reasons for growing a cover crop – whether it’s to improve organic matter, hold onto nutrients from manure, provide a nitrogen credit or protect against erosion. […]
Based on WBC trap counts, peak flight likely took place over the last 7 days. Though we never know for sure until a week later when moth catches really dropped. That said, comparing this year to previous years, it lands in the same week we have experienced peak flight since 2018 (Figure 1). Peak flight […]
The Making Cover Crops Pay series (available on YouTube and linked below) includes three practical webinars that have discussions and presentations by technical specialists and experienced farmers. This series is presented by Soils at Guelph, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Soil Team, Grain Farmers of Ontario, and the Ontario Soil […]
What was that grassy weed in my winter wheat at harvest time? Three different types of grassy weeds have been found above the winter wheat canopy at harvest this year. To prevent them from becoming a problem, they need to be identified so that the appropriate management actions can be taken. Here is a breakdown […]
Forage soybeans are not normally recommended as an emergency forage. Forage soybean production has a steep learning curve. Successful producers started with a small acreage and took several years to learn how to manage this crop. Whole unroasted soybean seeds pose a risk of ammonia toxicity. Limit to 2-4 lbs/head/day. Protein exceeding animal demand will […]
Add stink bugs to the long list of pests showing up to represent in 2021. There have been several reports of brown stink bug being found in IP soys and dry beans. Stink bugs feed by piercing the pods and sucking on the seeds developing inside. They inject digestive enzymes into seeds, causing the seed […]
Reproductive 10% flowering 10% flowering is when 10 flowers are open on the main stem. Flowering begins on the main stem, with the lowest buds opening first and flowering continuing upward. Three or more flowers open per day. At first flower the stem is 30-60% of its maximum height. Management: Monitor for cabbage seedpod weevil […]
Vegetative Emergence The hypocotyl pulls the cotyledons above the soil surface. The growing point is exposed between the two cotyledons. Management: Fertilizer in the seed row can injure seedlings, especially nitrogen and potassium. Apply up to 1/4 of total nutrient requirements pre-plant. Seed 0.5-1 inches deep, or a maximum of 1.5 inches into moisture. Broadcast […]
Le ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Alimentation et des Affaires rurales (MAAARO) a organisé un webinaire pour aider les producteurs du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario et surmonter les défis reliés aux conditions actuelles de temps sec. Voici certains sujets abordés : Comprendre les programmes de gestion des risques des entreprises et la couverture de l’Assurance-production Gestion des pâturages […]
Friday, July 23, 2021 12 pm CDT/1 pm EDT 1 hour Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has organized a webinar to assist Northwestern Ontario producers navigate the challenges related to current dry weather conditions. Topics Include: Understanding Business Risk Management Programs and Production Insurance Coverage Pasture Management Livestock management […]
Revitalizing Soil with Manure and Cover Crops After Wheat Harvest Wheat in a crop rotation provides many benefits, including spreading weather risks that can impact yields and balancing workload more evenly between planting and harvest season. Wheat also provides the opportunity to revitalize the soil; to disrupt pest cycles; alleviate compaction and increase subsequent corn […]
Western bean cutworm traps catches are starting to increase but are still low compared to previous years with more weeks of moth flight (and egg laying) to come. Those finding eggs in early tassel stage need to wait before spraying since eggs are still going to be laid for another few weeks. It is better […]
This post contains information on how to participate in the 2021 Ontario Virtual Crop Diagnostic Days. […]
The incidence and severity of white mould (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) is highly dependent on favourable weather conditions for the disease during soybean flowering. White mould prefers temperatures below 28 degrees C, moist soils, and high humidity. Conditions over the last few weeks have been ideal for the disease in much of Ontario. It’s important to know […]
This article was written by Breann Saulnier, OMAFRA Grazing Livestock Assistant You may look out into a pasture and see an abundance of tall, delicious-looking grass for livestock to graze but this is not necessarily what the livestock see. The amount of forage available for grazing is the portion of plant material that the animal […]