Weekly in-season progress reports of the Ontario field crop landscape
Fall 2015 Planting Optimal fall planting conditions in 2015 resulted in approximately 1 million acres of winter wheat being seeded. Excellent weather conditions through to November provided an opportunity for wheat to be well tillered before winter. The proportion of HRW acres dropped from 12% of the crop in 2015 to 10% in the 2016 […]
Planting and Development Canola acres in Ontario were higher in 2016 than they were in 2015. The total number of insured canola acres in 2016 was just shy of 30,000 acres, compared to 25,000 acres in 2015. With a drier than normal spring throughout much of the province, canola growers were able to plant early. […]
Soil Fertility Considerations in a Dry Year For some parts of the province, the 2016 growing season has been exceptionally dry. As we move towards fall, harvest, and soil sampling, there are some unique soil fertility considerations if you have experienced particularly dry weather this season. If you follow a build-up and maintain approach to […]
Managing Corn Silage Harvest in a Dry Year As corn enters the dent stage, corn silage harvest has just started in many areas. Years with below average precipitation and corn that has undergone moisture stress can present some challenges in trying to manage corn silage harvest. Whole Plant Moisture Proper whole plant moisture is critical […]
OMAFRA Field Crop Report –July 27, 2016 By: The OMAFRA Field Crop Team Cereals Winter wheat harvest is winding down and yields have been above average in the majority of areas with good quality and very little Fusarium/DON reported. The dry conditions did however, impact winter wheat yields in very sandy or sand gravel bottom […]
Corn Many areas of the province saw a much needed rain over the weekend ranging from 15 mm to 50 mm in. Overall corn is progressing well and is at the 4-7 leaf growth stage. Minimal corn replants have been reported to date. Sidedressing is underway in some areas and will likely be in full […]
Corn Depending on planting date, corn is at the spike to 5 leaf stage and progressing well with the warm weather. Most corn acres received adequate rainfall for good emergence and an acceptable stand. However, dry conditions have prevented activation of pre-emergence herbicides on many acres. The high heat in the past week has caused […]
Corn: Across the province the planted corn acreage sits at about 85%. Livestock producers with manure to apply, as well as fields located on heavy clay soils -especially in Essex, Haldimand and Niagara- have about 50% of the intended acres planted. Soil conditions look dry at the surface, but remain “tacky” at planting depth. Cool soil […]
Corn Corn planting progress varies as you move across the province. The southwestern part of the province and the Niagara area has been cool and wet and the clay soils are less than 20% planted. Throughout much of the rest of the province conditions have been much more favourable with 60 to 80% of the […]
Cereals: Cool weather over the last two weeks has kept disease levels low. Lush spring growth and forecasted temperatures are expected to increase disease development. Difference in planting date have resulted in varied growth stages and level of canopy closure, so scouting to appropriately time pest management activities is critical (Figure 1.) Weeds are now the […]
Winter Wheat: The majority of winter wheat has received nitrogen (N) applications. Farmers are including sulphur with the N application, because of lower atmospheric deposition of sulphur across the province in recent years. Much of the winter wheat across the province is at high risk for lodging because of high tiller densities. At this stage, lodging […]
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 […]