Preparing for Seeding of Winter Canola

Winter canola acres in Ontario have been increasing since 2018. While research on the crop has been limited, some recommendations are outlined below based on experience with the crop in recent years and experience with spring canola in Ontario. Field Selection Fields should have good drainage and low clay content. Seeds may fail to emerge […]

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OMAFRA Field Crop Report – August 6, 2020

There are currently three key topics for forage production: nitrates, potato leafhopper, and planting annual forages for fall production. Nitrate poisoning of livestock is a risk in a dry year In a dry year, high nitrate levels in forages are a concern. Fast-growing grass species, such as corn, sorghum-sudangrass, and cereals are most likely to […]

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July 2020 Forage Report

Alfalfa plants exhibiting characteristic hopperburn: a yellow V shape on the tips of the leaves.

Photo above: Potato leafhopper damage (called “hopper burn”) is frequently mistaken for insufficient water. To maximize the forage yield of fall cereals next spring, research from New York state suggests planting fall rye or winter triticale 10-14 days before the optimal winter wheat planting date (Figure 1).   September 1st is the deadline to report […]

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SCN Survey of Dry Bean Fields in Perth and Oxford Counties

Background Although named for its affliction on soybean plants, soybean cyst nematode (SCN) can cause comparable damage to dry edible bean crops, and can adversely affect yields and economic benefit, as well as the future use of Ontario’s current dry bean-producing land. Poor yields associated with SCN infestation can be exacerbated by other environmental factors […]

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