As of June 5, 2026 stripe rust had been identified in fields in Oxford, Huron, Wellington, Bruce, Perth, Waterloo, Brant, Essex, Lambton, Middlesex, Elgin, Brant, Hamilton, Niagara and Haldimand Counties. Leaf rust was also previously identified in a field in Essex County. Growers across southern Ontario should scout their winter wheat fields closely, particularly where […]
The 2025 Ontario corn hybrid DON screening trial report is now available under the corn section of GoCrops.ca (or also available HERE). Ontario corn hybrid DON screening trials were initiated by the Ontario Corn Committee in 2019 following high DON levels in the 2018 corn crop. Hybrid susceptibility is one of the greatest factors influencing […]
Co-authored with Albert Tenuta, Pathologist, Field Crops and Peter Johnson, Agronomist, Real Agriculture As of May 12, 2025 stripe and leaf rust had been identified in a small number of fields in Perth (Leanne Frietag) and Grey (Deb Campbell) counties. However, as of May 27, 2025 stripe rust has continued to progress and has been […]
Co-authored with Albert Tenuta, Pathologist, Field Crops and Peter Johnson, Agronomist, RealAgriculture Fusarium Head Blight Management Managing Fusarium head blight (FHB), also known as scab, in wheat is crucial to prevent yield loss, reduce mycotoxin contamination and maximize grain quality. Identification Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) symptoms are noticeable soon after flowering. Diseased spikelets (glumes 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 […]
Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYVD) effects a wide range of grass hosts including wheat, oats and barley with oats being considered the most susceptible crop. In some regions of the province, BYDV has been reported as having a significant negative impact on oat yields. Appearance: The primary symptoms of BYDV include stunting and yellowing, reddening […]
OMAFRA field crop specialists in collaboration with Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) and members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA) have completed the annual Ontario corn ear mould and DON mycotoxin survey. Corn ear moulds such as Gibberella and their corresponding mycotoxins occur every year in Ontario. These mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol (DON, also referred to […]
Joanna Follings and Albert Tenuta With the exception of powdery mildew in susceptible varieties, disease pressure in winter wheat has been found at low levels. With persistent dry conditions continuing, many are asking if a T3 fungicide application should be made. Below are some key considerations when making a T3 fungicide application decision. Is the […]
Crop scouts and agronomists that walk multiple fields in a day should consider biosecurity and preventing the movement of soil, and soil borne pests, between fields. Risk of disease movement from one farm to the next is proportional to the amount of soil moved. While other aspects of farming represent a greater risk of soil […]
More growers are noticing northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) – the most common corn leaf disease in Ontario. A proactive and integrated approach to management will mitigate significant financial losses. The simple answer Regular scouting is the best way to identify increases in the severity of NCLB. Ontario research has shown that an effective fungicide […]
Tar spot, a corn leaf disease that can cause significant yield losses, was first found in Ontario in 2020. It has since been found over a wider geographic area. Here’s an overview of what is currently known about best management practices. The simple answer Tar spot is here to stay. In the U.S. corn belt, […]
Co-authored with Albert Tenuta, Field Crop Pathologist, OMAFRA. OMAFRA field crop specialists in collaboration with Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) and members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA) have completed the annual Ontario corn ear mould and DON mycotoxin survey. Corn ear moulds such as Gibberella and their corresponding mycotoxins occur every year in Ontario. […]
This article was written by Horst Bohner, OMAFRA Soybean Specialist, and Albert Tenuta, OMAFRA FIeld Crop Pathologist Phytophthora root rot (PRR) is one of the most destructive soybean diseases in Ontario. PRR thrives in wet soils, so the incidence of this disease is more prevalent in fields that received excess rainfall in 2021. Clay soils, […]
The incidence and severity of white mould (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) is highly dependent on favourable weather conditions for the disease during soybean flowering. White mould prefers temperatures below 28 degrees C, moist soils, and high humidity. Conditions over the last few weeks have been ideal for the disease in much of Ontario. It’s important to know […]
With warmer temperatures wheat has really progressed across the province. Fields in southern Ontario are beginning to head out while fields further east and north are at or approaching flag leaf emergence. That being said, all herbicide applications should be wrapped up in those fields that are at or approaching flag leaf. Disease should be […]