Weekly in-season progress reports of the Ontario field crop landscape
Winter Wheat: The winter wheat crop looks excellent. There is lots of growth with excellent yield potential. There is a fear that putting on too much nitrogen at once will cause stem elongation and lodging. Some farmers have opted to split apply nitrogen to reduce the risk of lodging. A foliar leaf fungicide application (T1 timing) will […]
Wet, rainy weather has continued since June 6th in most parts of the province, making haying a challenge. Considerable amounts of quality haylage and baleage have been made before the rains and in between showers. However, to date only small amounts of quality dry hay have been made. Yields reported have been quite variable, with […]
Heavy rains and wet soils since June 6th have delayed haying operations. Considerable amounts of quality haylage and baleage were made, but the weather must clear before much haying can resume. Initial yield reports were quite variable, with some very disappointing yields being reported in western and central Ontario (60 – 100% of normal). […]
With recent storms and heavy rains this week, haying has been placed on hold. Yields are quite variable, with some very disappointing yields being reported in western and central Ontario (60 – 100% of normal). Yields are closer to normal (85- 100%) in eastern Ontario. Dry weather in late-April and May limited forage growth and yield […]
First-cut dairy haylage is in full swing as the weather permits. Some farms are finished. The dry spring weather limited forage growth in some areas, particularly grassier fields, forage winter cereals, ryegrass, and alfalfa fields that were older, winter injured or fall harvested. Where severe frost occured on May 23rd, some alfalfa growth and development […]
First-cut dairy haylage is started in southern Ontario, and should be in full swing next week. With the dry weather in late-April and May in many areas, forage growth is reduced, particularly in the grasses. Potential yields are quite variable depending on the stand, but looks disappointing in some areas. Grassier fields, forage winter cereals, ryegrass, and alfalfa […]
Soil moisture levels are variable across the province, with some areas having adequate moisture with good forage growth, while others with little rain are dry with shorter than normal stands. Grass growth has been more affected by the dry weather than the alfalfa. Many alfalfa stands harvested during the Critical Fall Harvest Period are showing […]
With warmer temperatures and recent rains, the alfalfa and grass growth and development is now advancing rapidly, despite a slow start in early April. Older, less healthy stands are beginning to become yellow with dandelions. Many fields that were fall cut are seeing delayed growth that will likely result in reduced 1st-cut yields. Grass stands have […]
Alfalfa has generally over-wintered very well, but there are scattered reports from across the province of some winterkill and winter injury. The normally higher risk area of the Ottawa Valley seems to have minimal (less than 10%) winterkill issues. Winter injury is observed more commonly in older stands, fall harvested stands, and stands with poor […]
Forage inventories are generally more than adequate, with good spring carry-overs. With lots of rain, yields were good but it was challenging to make dry hay without rain-damage. Considerable haylage, baleage and poor to good quality hay were made. Premium “horse quality” green, dust-free 1st-cut hay and dairy hay is a bit more limited in […]
With recent rains, forage growth has been excellent. Making dry hay has been quite challenging in August, with lots of baleage being made. Forage inventories and quality are generally good in most parts of the province. Considerable wheat acres are being followed by seeding oats, Italian ryegrass, and alfalfa mixtures. (Forage Options Following Wheat https://fieldcropnews.com/?p=9028) We are […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]