Only one retail outlet was represented at the meeting indicating that field work was still at full speed ahead of forecasted rain for late Tuesday into Wednesday. There has been considerable progress across the area in the last few days. Some areas of the province continue to struggle such as south Huron and Perth and […]
Corn Progress was made over the last week in areas with lighter textured soils. Those areas now have upwards of 80% of their intended corn acres planted. However, regions with heavier textured soils such as Lambton, Essex, Niagara and Middlesex have 30% of their corn acres planted. Overall, ~60% of the intended corn acres are […]
The 2019 growing season has been a challenge for the winter wheat crop to say the least! While many winter wheat fields have been removed, a significant amount of stands remain and are being kept through to harvest. Given the wet conditions so far this spring and as we approach heading in many areas, it […]
Published in Ontario Farmer June 4th, 2019. Authors Ian McDonald and Alex Barrie, OMAFRA and Peter Johnson, RealAgriculture It’s hard to put any more adjectives to the frustration of this springs weather. In 2019 “all bets are off” on what is the right thing to do in terms of planting timeliness, and how, when and […]
It seems a bit cruel to point out some potential pest issues in a season like we have had where few crops are even in and might not even get in. But some crops are in the ground and at risk. There are a few pests that will take advantage of delayed crop emergence or […]
Image: corn is being planted in the region, but field conditions are variable. Thank you to Nicole Beechey from BASF for sponsoring breakfast. The next meeting will be June 12th at 7:30 am. If there are any suggestions on how to improve the meeting, or topics to discuss if you cannot attend, please let Ian McDonald […]
The OntarioHayListings.ca website is a free classifieds database for producers looking to buy or sell hay and straw. Southwestern Estimates suggest at least 50% of fields have some level of winterkill. Cool conditions have slowed forage growth. First cut of dairy-quality hay usually begins on the Victoria Day weekend; however, less than 295 GDDs have accumulated outside […]
More rain again. Currently at 250 heat units from the 1st of May. 30 year average is about 350 for this time of the year. Rainfall since May 1st is 85 mm, compared to 68 mm is the norm at this time of year. Forages Agricorp has received more damage report calls; about 55% of […]
Planting progress remains slow for all crops, and spray applications have also been significantly delayed by poor weather. Temperatures forecasted for early June are relatively cool, remaining around or below the 20°C mark in many regions. Corn Corn planting progress at the end of May was estimated to be less than 50% complete. In some […]
Thanks to Jeremy O’Shea (Pioneer) for chairing the meeting and to Alex Zelem (C&M) for sponsoring breakfast. The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 11th starting at 7:00am for breakfast and 7:30 for the meeting. Synopsis: There was widespread rainfall over the weekend with most areas receiving 1 to 6 inches of rain on Saturday. […]
Thank you to BASF for sponsoring breakfast. The next meeting will be June 4th at 7:30 am. If there are any suggestions on edits required to the minutes herein, how to improve the meeting, or topics to discuss if you cannot attend, please let Ian McDonald know. Cool temperatures are continuing the slow growth in overwintering […]
The spring of 2019 has been unprecedented with excess rainfall and cool temperatures. This has significantly delayed soybean planting. When does it become necessary to switch to earlier maturing soybean varieties? There has been a trend in modern soybean production to plant early and to use long season varieties to achieve higher yields. This strategy […]
It was a small group in attendance at the Simcoe breakfast meeting this week. Some may have been busy with field work, but overall things are still moving slowly across the region and may not be moving at all on heavy soils that remain wet. Those in attendance reported that producers are optimistic planting will […]
Weather patterns have been variable, leading to regional differences in progress on planting and crop growth. Soils continue to remain unfit for field operations in large parts of the province, especially in much of the southwest and parts of eastern Ontario (figure 1). A few pockets have had windows of opportunity to catch up on […]
Western bean cutworm trapping will be starting in early June. For those who are interested in trapping this year, I have provided a few resources below including Trap Set up and Monitoring Instructions, and a Trap Supply Checklist and Trap Supply Companies document. Those setting up trap sites are encouraged to include the traps on […]