Assessing Soybean Performance Soybean harvest has begun, and yields have generally been good. Many growers are reporting above average yields. But there are fields that underperformed. For those fields that yielded less than expected, it’s important to assess why in order to make good management decisions for the future. Sometimes we blame the weather or a specific variety too quickly…
There has been considerable discussion around tar spot disease in corn this season and of course many questions as well. Let’s go over some of these questions! Where did Tar Spot common from? In 2015, Tar Spot was confirmed in the Midwest US (Indiana/Illinois) where it was believed to have been blown in from Mexico on storm systems. Since 2015,…
Managing phosphorus for improved water quality: best practices depend on where you farm Thanks to drier-than-normal spring seasons the past two years, harmful algae blooms in 2020 and 2021 in the western basin of Lake Erie have not been as severe as in preceding years. Phosphorus (P) loading to the lake, however, remains an important issue on both sides of…
What Will Be the Corn Nitrogen Story for 2021? While the 2021 growing season started dry, regular and often heavy rains started for many areas from Southern to Eastern Ontario from late June through July. Some received well above normal rainfall in July. Naturally, conversations began revolving around “are we losing nitrogen (N)” or “will we need more N on…
It is safe to say that western bean cutworm (WBC) is a pest that we can rely on entering corn and dry beans every year in Ontario. Though a frustrating pest to scout for, using traps to monitor moth flight has helped us better predict when to expect peak moth flight occurs, which is shortly followed by peak egg laying….
Tar spot in corn was first identified last year in Ontario on September 21, 2020 and confirmed to overwinter in Ontario on July 2, 2021 in West Elgin. Since then, tar spot has been also detected in Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Middlesex and Norfolk counties as of July 18, 2021 (Figure 1). This was anticipated since tar spot has continued to…
Successful Subsoiling? In many fields, the month of August means the end of cereal harvest and the beginning of a window of opportunity. In many ways, this is the best time of the season for soil improvements beyond what small grains already provide. Applying manure, seeding cover crops, or maybe trying to bury…
This article was written by Dwiti Mistry, Canola & Dry Bean Research Assistant The major canola insect Brassicogethes viridescens, or the pollen beetle, is of growing concern in Canada as it has the potential to significantly impact yield from canola crops. The pollen beetle is a known canola pest in Europe and has also been an established pest in the…
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. In this report, we will…
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 of each grass species and…
OMAFRA Field Crop Team July 22, 2021 444 Comments Off on Séance d’information sur la gestion durant une sécheresse Vendredi 23 juillet 2021 / de 12 h à 13 h HAC / de 13 h à 14 h HNELe 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 Considérations liées à la gestion…
OMAFRA Field Crop Team July 21, 2021 942 Comments Off on Managing Through a Drought Information Session: Friday, July 23, 2021Friday, 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 considerations Mental Health Resources …
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 and soybean crop yields. Best…
This post contains information on how to participate in the 2021 Ontario Virtual Crop Diagnostic Days.
There are mixed reports on the health of dry beans in Ontario this season. While many fields look good, rains following the initially dry conditions at planting have increased the incidence of root rots as well as the risk of white mould. Root Rot In Ontario, the four main fungal pathogens causing root rot are Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and…