Forage yields have been quite variable across the province. Some areas have excess hay, while others are still rebuilding inventories. Quality is generally good. The weatherman got it wrong the weekend of July 19th and considerable acres of hay were cut and rain-damaged. Summer Seeding Alfalfa Summer seeding alfalfa-grass mixtures can be a good way […]
Authors: Jocelyn Smith and Andrea Hitchon, University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus The time to start scouting corn for corn rootworm has arrived! There are a few important objectives for scouting for rootworm injury including: scouting can help protect yield, plan control measures for next year, and detect potential cases of resistance to Bt traits. The […]
We are starting our 2014 field survey for the new invasive insect pest, brown marmorated stink bug. In particular, we are looking for corn and soybean fields that meet the criteria below. We will scout for the pest within the first 30 rows of field (where we expect to first find the insect), as well […]
by Joel Bagg, Forage Specialist, & Bonnie Ball, Soil Fertility Specialist, OMAFRA Sulphur (S) received from atmospheric sulphur dioxide emissions (acid rain) in Ontario has steadily declined by over 50% during the last 25 years. We are beginning to see yield responses in more situations when applying S to alfalfa. Sometimes the response is dramatic, […]
The following 10 herbicide injury scenarios in corn were presented at the South West Crop Diagnostic Days on July 9th and 10th, 2014. Each scenario contain 2 corn hyrbids. One that had tolerance to glyphosate (e.g. Roundup) and glufosinate (e.g. Liberty). The other was an Enlist hybrid, that had tolerance to glyphosate (e.g. Roundup), glufosinate (e.g. Liberty), phenoxy herbicides […]
SYNOPSIS Majority of edible beans are in late vegetative to early flowering. The crop in many areas looks excellent. Recent heavy rains and saturated soils raises the risk of white mould, anthracnose in white and black beans and root rot. Leafhopper populations have been low up to now. White Mould : Fungicides to protect against […]
This spring’s challenging planting conditions has resulted in quite a few of uneven canola stands with both reduced populations and delayed emergence. This has some growers weighing the merits of applying a fungicide this season. Sclerotinia incidence varies greatly between fields and years thus making routine spraying of fungicide unprofitable. However when the risk of […]
Author: Jocelyn Smith, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus Growers in the high WBC risk areas (sandy soils) saw heavy infestations of WBC in 2013 and many were surprised by the survival and amount of damage by WBC on Bt corn. Bt corn hybrids that express the Cry 1F insecticidal protein such as the Herculex® and […]
Some first-cut horse hay is still to be made while many will start second-cut dairy haylage soon. Harvest schedules are delayed behind normal, especially in western Ontario. This may make taking a fourth-cut more difficult. Hay making weather has generally been good, but some hay has been rain-damaged. Yields have been extremely variable, depending on […]
Italian ryegrass can produce very high quality, leafy, palatable forage suitable for high producing dairy cows. As a cool-season bunch grass, it is best adapted to cool, moist conditions. It does not grow as well in hot, dry summer weather. In Ontario it has been seeded in early spring (April, early-May) for harvesting that year. […]
First-cut haying continues while some 2nd cut dairy haylage will start soon. Hay making weather was generally good in early June, but some more recent storms have rain-damaged some hay. Rains will help 2nd cut regrowth. Yields have been quite variable, ranging from good in eastern Ontario to some winter injured areas in western Ontario […]
First-cut continues with variable yields. Yields are generally good in eastern Ontario. In western Ontario areas where alfalfa winterkill and injury occurred, stands are thin, with many reported yields at 50 – 80% of normal. This has created some concern about producing adequate forage supplies. Considerable acres have been seeded to annual forages such as […]
Greg Stewart, Peter Johnson and Ian McDonald, OMAF & MRA Background In 2014 the OMAF & MRA field crops team once again surveyed a range of corn fields to determine the impact that this springs weather has had on the level of residual soil nitrate. This year April was cool with less growth than […]
Conditions: Crop Heat Units from the May 1st are right about the 30 year normal. Winter wheat: In the case of highly uneven fields, spraying is recommended when about 25% of heads are emerged for 5 days (and head past ligule). The idea is that the first 25% are probably the better heads anyways and […]
The next meeting will be held at the Huron Research Station. Breakfast will be provided at 7 am. There will be a short tour (1 hour). Please bring any suggestions for future research that should be conducted. Synopsis: Considerable field work was possible over the weekend and Monday, especially further south where they were further […]