Christine O'Reilly | Field Crop News

What is the true cost of Alfalfa Snout Beetle on your farm?

Christine O'Reilly January 11, 2021 259 Comments Off

This article was written by Dr. Elson Shields, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY **A note from Christine: Alfalfa snout beetle is an invasive species. A 2008 survey confirmed its presence in Leeds & Grenville, Prescott & Russell, and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry counties. At that time, over 150 km2 were infested. Dr. Shield’s research on biocontrol nematodes was…

Taking Root: Management Options for Bt-Resistant Corn Rootworm on Ontario Farms

Christine O'Reilly January 6, 2021 249 Comments Off

Baute Bug Blog

This webinar features OMAFRA specialists who provided an update on Bt-resistant corn rootworm, the impact on cropping systems and feed supplies, mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of Bt corn rootworm resistance, and alternative feeding options. While this webinar is open to anyone, it is geared towards cattle producers (dairy and beef). The webinar aired December 8, 2020. Speakers include…

September 2020 Forage Report

Christine O'Reilly October 2, 2020 774 Comments Off

Forages

Photo: It is impossible to tell by looking at frost-damaged sorghum-sudangrass what the prussic acid levels may be. Silage Corn In fields where rootworm Bt hybrids have been used for three or more consecutive years, resistance among corn rootworm populations is suspected. Producers can no longer rely solely on Bt rootworm hybrids for protection against rootworm injury. See the 2020 Canadian…

Frost Injury in Sorghum Species

Christine O'Reilly September 21, 2020 723 Comments Off

Cover Crops

Caution! Members of the sorghum family – sorghum, sudangrass, and hybrid sorghum-sudangrass – contain dhurrin, a glucoside that breaks down to release hydrocyanic acid, also known as prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide, HCN). A sudden disruption of growth such as frost, drought or cutting, causes prussic acid to be released inside the plant at a more rapid rate. High prussic acid…

Managing Jointing and Non-Jointing Grasses

Christine O'Reilly September 21, 2020 521 Comments Off

Forages

Christine O’Reilly, Forage and Grazing Specialist, OMAFRA Grass doesn’t just happen and not all species grow the same way. Understanding how different grass species grow enables producers to make good management decisions that maximize forage production in their hay fields and pastures. Jointing and non-jointing grasses respond differently to cutting, which directly affects productivity and persistence. In an established stand,…

August 2020 Forage Report

Christine O'Reilly September 1, 2020 713 Comments Off

Forages

Photo: Many winter wheat fields were planted to an annual forage crop after harvest this year. Premiums for summer-seeded New Forage Seeding insurance are due to Agricorp September 15. Silage corn growers should check fields for rootworm resistance to Bt hybrids Scouting for corn rootworm injury in silage fields is important to detect potential resistance to rootworm Bt traits and…

Forage Options to Replace Silage Corn

Christine O'Reilly August 24, 2020 1263 Comments Off

Corn

Key Points: Rotating out of corn is the most effective way to reduce populations of Bt-resistant corn rootworm. To replace silage corn for 2021, establish fall rye or winter triticale immediately after 2020 silage corn harvest. After the cereal silage comes off in mid-May, establish sorghum-sudangrass and take two cuts. An energy source will need to be supplemented; producers should…

July 2020 Forage Report

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

Christine O'Reilly August 5, 2020 554 Comments Off

Forages

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 summer-seeded New Forage Seeding acres…

June 2020 Forage Report

Christine O'Reilly June 30, 2020 630 Comments Off

Forages

Southwestern • According to AAFC, Lambton, Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey, Dufferin, Wellington, Waterloo, and Halton counties had average amounts of precipitation for the month of June. The rest of the region had below-average amounts of rainfall. • First cut was fully underway the first week of June. • There have been many reports of true armyworm in fields in the…

Putting Hay into a Cash Crop Rotation

Christine O'Reilly June 23, 2020 1002 Comments Off

Forages

Christine O’Reilly, Forage and Grazing Specialist , OMAFRA The soil health benefits of having a perennial forage in the crop rotation are better than any cover crop, because its living roots are in the soil for much longer. Hay prices have been strong over the last couple of years, and there is always a market for high-quality hay. A feasibility…

May 2020 Forage Report

Christine O'Reilly June 3, 2020 549 Comments Off

Forages

Cool conditions in the first half of the month slowed forage growth across the province. Victoria Day – the weekend before May 24th – was early this year, with the holiday falling on May 18th. This further affected perceptions of crop development, as many dairy farmers aim to start first cut based on the long weekend. Supplies of sorghum-sudangrass seed…

April 2020 Forage Report

Christine O'Reilly May 4, 2020 581 Comments Off

Forages

Photo: Orchardgrass accumulates anthocyanins during sunny days and cold soil conditions when photosynthesis outpaces root development. Turning purple is temporary; it will grow through this. Winter Conditions Most of the province had average amounts of precipitation over the winter. Areas of Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Huron, Grey, Bruce, Temiskaming, Cochrane, Rainy River, and Kenora received below-average winter precipitation. Overall, reports of winterkill…

Spring Scouting of Alfalfa

alfalfa stem with frost-damaged leaf margins

Christine O'Reilly April 21, 2020 908 Comments Off

Forages

Photo: Scouting a few days after a spring frost is a good way to assess the severity of any damage. Good agronomy is very important for achieving good yield and quality in forage crops. While good agronomy includes a fertility plan, seeding techniques, and harvest management, it also relies on proactive decision-making. The only way to know what is happening…

Know the Amount of Feed in Your Pasture

demonstrating the use of a falling plate meter

Christine O'Reilly December 16, 2019 1493 Comments Off

Pastures

by Maja Menegotto, Undergraduate Student Experiential Learning (USEL) program student What is a Falling Plate Meter? A falling plate meter is a tool that can be used to estimate dry matter yield within grazing pastures (Rayburn and Lozier, 2003b). To do this, an acrylic plate is lowered against a metre stick in the center of the plate, onto the grass….

Get a Jump on Early Spring Forage

Christine O'Reilly September 21, 2019 1648 Comments Off

Forages

Cereals, soybeans, and silage corn are all being harvested, or will be soon! That bare ground provides an opportunity to boost forage inventories by double cropping with a winter cereal, while getting all the benefits of a cover crop in the rotation. Why use winter cereals as forage? It’s a cover crop that makes money the year it is grown….

Author: Christine O'Reilly