A collective summary of information gleaned from the weekly breakfast meeting minutes with local crop consultants in Ontario
Tuesday, May 17 The open weather and dry conditions last week allowed producers to plant the majority of corn acres and get a start on soybean acres, until a warm rain hit on Thursday May 12th , followed by cold wet weather through the weekend. Most areas saw at least 2” of rain. There was […]
Conditions: Sunny and dry conditions over the last 2 weeks were ideal for field work. Temperatures were below normal for the period. From May 1st to 9th, the area received less than 10 mm rain and roughly 65 CHU, while the 30 year average is 20 mm for precipitation and 90 for CHU. Forages: Forage […]
May 10, 2016 Malibu Restaurant, Exeter Chair for the meeting was Rob Miller Breakfast sponsor – Chris Roelands, Honeyland Ag Services The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 24th starting at 7:00am for breakfast and 7:30 for the meeting. Synopsis: There has not been much rain in the past two weeks, but there also has […]
Synopsis: Over the past week 12 to 25 mm of rain combined with cool conditions and frequent frosty mornings have slowed field work in the area. Current weather forecast of more seasonal and drier conditions could see a big push in field activity later in the week. Wheat Update: Wheat growth continues to look excellent […]
General Progress The weather has held things back the last two weeks. Surprising to the group was how little has been done on corn planting progress since the last meeting. Everyone has been surprised how patient most farmers have been to let the ground get “fit”, as well as for temperatures to warm for fungicide […]
Breakfast Sponsor: Thanks from the group to “Al Spicer/Ray McDonald – CanGrow Crop Solutions“ Synopsis: The quote of the week comes from Jason VanMaanen who stated “The Wheat Looks Too Good!” which had Peter Johnson shaking his head 🙂 Rain over the weekend and Monday ranged from 0.8 to 1.5″. The cool, wet conditions over […]
Conditions: Soil drying up, but below average temperatures are limiting field activity to manure/fertilizer application and forage/spring cereal seeding. Forages: Alfalfa winter survival is good, generally in the 80% plus range. Winterkill is mostly limited to low/poorly drained pockets. The combination of heavy and moisture saturated soils has led to some heaving. Alfalfa fields not […]
Exeter Agribusiness Minutes April 26, 2016 Malibu Restaurant, Exeter Chair for this meeting was Eric Richter Thank you to Syngenta for sponsoring breakfast. The next meeting will be on May 10th starting at 7:00 am for breakfast (meeting starts at 7:30). Meetings finish no later than 9:00 am. Synopsis: Corn planting started at the end […]
Spring Planting Update: No tillage activity on the fine-textured clay soils Some tillage, manure application and fertilizer application to sandy and loamy fields Very little planting to date – a few acres of corn planted around Embro, Thamesford, Drumbo, Tillsonburg and sandy soils in Brant. Mainly just getting a few acres in and ensuring […]
Breakfast Sponsor: Thanks from the group to “Roger Bourassa – Dupont Canada“ Synopsis: The quote of the week comes from Alan McCallum, a distant relative – “Don’t’ farm last year’s weather!” This is National Soil Conservation Week. Keep those soils covered! Don’t bury all that crop residue with tillage. The warmer weather has really […]
Synopsis: The consultant’s in attendance felt that 2016 wheat acreage is up from the previous year and that while intended corn acreage will be up from the 2015 season, soybean acres will be a bit down compared to 2015. Spring cereal acreage is also thought to be down from last year but on par with […]
Forages: There was a general discussion of what condition hays fields are in given the milder winter. A general observation of hay fields in the area is that most fields had quite a bit of stubble (estimated at 2 feet for some fields). Some discussion of what should be done with the stubble (harvest or […]
April 12, 2016 – Malibu Restaurant, Exeter Chair for this meeting was David Townsend There was an excellent turnout and good discussion to start the first meeting of the 2016 growing season. David Townsend was the chairman and BASF sponsored breakfast. Thank you. The next meeting will be on April 26th starting at 7:00 am […]
Meetings are held every 2nd Wednesday 7:30 – 9 am: Shire restaurant (Travelodge) 385 Queensway in Simcoe. Next meeting is April 20th To date there has not been a lot of spring activity. Very little nitrogen has been applied on wheat so far. Early N not needed since in general, wheat went into winter with […]
Breakfast Sponsor: Thanks from group to “Bob Thirlwall – DEKALB/Monsanto Canada“ Synopsis: The quote of the week comes from Dr. Peter Sikkema – “Start Clean – Stay Clean”! Very little activity due to the rain and cold temperatures expected this week although some have taken advantage of the conditions to get the last of their […]