Planting is 70 % complete in West – Central Ontario. Early April planted fields are in cotyledon to 1st leaf stage with good emergence. Timely rainfall received in most areas will help even emergence of later planted stands. Emergence is occurring in 10 to 14 days under cold soil temperature conditions. Pay attention to 1000 […]
There is nothing worse than having cattle to feed and then being caught off guard by low forage yields due to winter injury. If you have not already done so, walk alfalfa fields and dig some plants to assess for winterkill, heaving, frost damage and plant health. Watch for crown and root rots, brownish disclouration, […]
Synopsis: The majority of spring cereals crop have been planted. Acres of spring cereals is higher with good planting conditions, potential returns, lower input costs. Acres of seeded forage and nurse crops is 10-15% higher (Bill Brown). Emergence has been excellent. Advanced wheat wheat now pushing GS32-33, but in most fields, 1st node not visible. Corn […]
Included: Tillage, soil management, cold water imbibition, wheat, double crop soys, wild weeds, insects, other. Synopsis: DRY! Sugar beets planted shallow in late March still have not had enough rain for germination. Wind erosion has been a major issue this spring with more tillage and dry soils. Across this region 5 to 30% of the […]
As we gear up for the 2012 season we are again looking for participants in the Western Bean Cutworm Trap Network monitoring program. Of particular need is to have more traps in Elgin and Haldimand/Norfolk County. Information on the trap network can be found on the Canadian Corn Pest Coalition website. If you would like to […]
There is a significant increase in acres of new forage seedings. Many forage seedings are already in the ground. Ensure good seed-to-soil contact by preparing a firm seedbed. Forage inventories are exceptionally low for this time of year, with record high hay prices being reported. Frost Damaged Alfalfa: A considerable amount of alfalfa was damaged […]
Winter cereals responded immediately to warmer temperatures and showers over the weekend, regaining good green colour and growth. A few isolated acres in frost prone areas have been killed by frost (a first in my 27 years). Significant varietal differences in frost injury. Whether this will translate into yield differences remains to be seen. Advanced […]
Depending on the area, 5-30% of the corn crop has been planted. Soil conditions have been very good. Cool temperatures (especially at night) in the last week have slowed the emergence process. If drying trends continue growers are advised to be cautious with secondary tillage that is too aggressive (too deep, too many passes) and […]
A few “experimental” fields have been seeded. Although the long term Ontario data shows an average yield gain to early planting there are also increased risks. Over the last 3 years the yield loss associated with delayed planting has been 0.1 bu/ac/day after April 20th. The majority of soybeans should be planted in late April […]
Planting is 40% complete in the west-central region of Ontario. Early April seeded canola is 10-50% emerged. Cold temperatures with sub-zero nights has slowed emergence and delayed seeding.Soil conditions have been excellent for field work although windy and dry weather is resulting in rapid drying of soils. If soils are dry and loose, level and […]
Synopsis: Field work continues with many areas reporting dry conditions. High winds yesterday moved a tremendous amount of soil. Pictures below are from Bruce county in fields where there was no tillage equipment being operated at the time the pictures were taken. This kind of wind erosion has not been seen in Ontario for many […]
Included: crop status, wheat, glyphosate resitant weeds (status and control), weed control update (Peter Sikkema). Synopsis: Very little corn planted as of April 10th. Many growers will start this week. A few “experimental” soybeans have been planted. The wheat in this region looks tough, with too many areas suffering from wet feet. Considerable spring grain planted […]
There was an early break in alfalfa dormancy in early- to mid-March. In some areas, significant alfalfa growth (up to 6 – 8 inches or more) was frost damaged when colder temperatures returned on March 30th (-7°C or colder). Damage was most severe in south-western Ontario, on good healthy stands with early, aggressive growth. Ironically, […]
Synopsis: The majority of spring cereals crop have been planted. In eastern Ontario about 60% of spring wheat has been seeded. The early spring has allowed for a lot of field work and manure application to occur in good soil conditions. The majority of winter wheat has received some nitrogen, with many growers opting to split […]
GENERAL: The relatively mild winter and early start to the spring season means that there will be a re-evaluation of many “normal” practices. Early break of dormancy for forage, wheat and tree crops, opportunity for early application (or split application) of nitrogen to wheat crops, germination of many weeds, and more tillage than previous years […]