Winter Wheat Winter wheat harvest is winding down across the province and reported yields to date have ranged from 80-130 bu/ac which compares well to the five-year average yield of 82.7 bushels/ac. This was a pleasant surprise for many growers’ considering all the stresses the winter wheat crop had to endure. Good reports of straw yield averaging 4000 pounds per…
The 2019 growing season has been a challenge for the winter wheat crop to say the least! While many winter wheat fields have been removed, a significant amount of stands remain and are being kept through to harvest. Given the wet conditions so far this spring and as we approach heading in many areas, it will be important to prepare…
Planting progress remains slow for all crops, and spray applications have also been significantly delayed by poor weather. Temperatures forecasted for early June are relatively cool, remaining around or below the 20°C mark in many regions. Corn Corn planting progress at the end of May was estimated to be less than 50% complete. In some regions, corn planting at the…
In properly ensiled corn silage, research has not shown an increase in mycotoxins from levels in the crop at harvest. Fusarium species, the fungi that produce DON, do not like low oxygen, low pH environments, so if corn goes through the proper ensiling process fusarium should no longer be active and able to produce DON. It takes at least three…
While growers are encouraged to find all avenues possible to clean or market their corn, with elevated ear moulds in the 2018 Ontario corn crop, there may be fields with DON levels that render the crop unmarketable. These fields will require destruction in preparation for the 2019 crop season. Destroying a corn crop at harvest will present challenges for 2019,…
End Uses for Mouldy Corn in 2018 Harvesting is of course the preferred option but for some producers finding a market for mouldy or corn with high levels of DON content can be difficult this year as well as it takes time to find alternative uses or streams for this corn. Livestock producers, especially those with hogs, cannot feed high…
STORAGE TIPS FOR MOULDY CORN! 1. Harvest infected fields early, and dry corn as soon as possible after harvesting. Do not store wet grain overnight in trucks, wagons, or bins. 2. Dry corn using high-temperature drying, to 15% moisture or less. This stops mould growth and mycotoxin production, but does not reduce mycotoxins already present. Low-temperature drying takes much longer,…
HARVEST TIPS FOR MOULDY CORN! 1. Prioritize your corn harvest and storage. Do not mix old crop (2017) or low DON corn with potentially mouldy corn from this harvest. Livestock producers, especially hog, will want to scout fields, sample and test for mycotoxins in order to store their cleanest corn for feeding purposes. Cash croppers are advised that the same…
Good Mycotoxin Test Begins With A “Representative” Sample! The importance of collecting a “representative” sample cannot be overestimated. The most significant variable associated with mycotoxin test results comes from incorrect sample collection or uneven distribution of infected kernels in load (Figure 1). Although taking a sample from the top of a storage bin, truck or combine may be easy and…
Co-authored with Albert Tenuta, Pathologist, Field Crops In 2016 the milder winter conditions resulted in early leaf and stripe rust infections in Tennessee and Kentucky. This resulted in rust spores being blown into Ontario earlier than we typically see. By mid-May 2016, stripe rust was prevalent in most areas of southwestern Ontario. Growers who selected tolerant varieties or applied a…
Co-Authored with Albert Tenuta, Field Crop Pathologist, OMAFRA OMAFRA field crop staff with the assistance from members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA) have completed the annual Provincial corn ear mould and mycotoxin survey. These mycotoxins, particularly vomitoxin (DON) produced primarily by Gibberella/Fusarium ear moulds can be disruptive when fed to livestock, especially hogs. The purpose of the annual survey…
The when, what and where of wheat leaf and Fusarium head blight (head scab) disease management Martin Chilvers and Martin Nagelkirk, Michigan State University; Albert Tenuta, OMAFRA; Damon Smith, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Kiersten Wise, Purdue University; Pierce Paul, The Ohio State University Wheat leaf diseases such as powdery mildew, Septoria leaf spot and stripe rust are prevalent in some fields…
Learn, participate and have your say The proposed Plant and Animal Health Strategy for Canada was drafted together by governments, industry and others who play a role in safeguarding plant and animal health. The strategy will protect plants and animals from new and emerging risks by focusing efforts more on prevention and increasing partner collaboration and coordination. You are invited…
The following scouting guides for disease identification in soybean are available for download by clicking on the headings below. Scouting for common soybean seed diseases Scouting for common soybean stem diseases Soybean vein necrosis virus Charcoal Rot White Mould Stem Canker Pod and Stem Blight and Phomopsis Seed Decay Soybean seedling diseases and disorders Scouting for sudden death syndrome in…
The 2016-2017 version of OMAFRA Publication 812, Field Crop Protection Guide, and can be downloaded here or by clicking on the the book cover thumbnail below. Publication 812 is the source of pest control information for field crops. The easy to read tables provide information and comments on insect and disease control products for the major field crops including best control options for…
