Forages

What is the true cost of Alfalfa Snout Beetle on your farm?

Figure 1. Alfalfa Snout beetle damage
Christine O'Reilly January 11, 2021 471 Comments Off on What is the true cost of Alfalfa Snout Beetle on your farm?
Baute Bug Blog

This article was written by Dr. Elson Shields, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY **A note from Christine: Alfalfa snout beetle is an invasive species. A 2008 survey confirmed its presence in Leeds & Grenville, Prescott & Russell, and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry counties. At that time, over 150 km2 were infested. Dr. Shield’s research on biocontrol nematodes was…

Taking Root: Management Options for Bt-Resistant Corn Rootworm on Ontario Farms

Christine O'Reilly January 6, 2021 526 Comments Off on Taking Root: Management Options for Bt-Resistant Corn Rootworm on Ontario Farms
Baute Bug Blog

This webinar features OMAFRA specialists who provided an update on Bt-resistant corn rootworm, the impact on cropping systems and feed supplies, mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of Bt corn rootworm resistance, and alternative feeding options. While this webinar is open to anyone, it is geared towards cattle producers (dairy and beef). The webinar aired December 8, 2020. Speakers include…

Non-corn options for livestock producers to manage Bt-resistant corn rootworm

OMAFRA Field Crop TeamOMAFRA Field Crop Team October 9, 2020 963 Comments Off on Non-corn options for livestock producers to manage Bt-resistant corn rootworm
Baute Bug Blog

In fields where Bt rootworm corn hybrids have been used for more than three consecutive years, resistance among corn rootworm populations is suspected. Growers can no longer rely solely on Bt hybrids for protection against rootworm injury. The best management practice to reduce the resistant rootworm population is to rotate out of corn for at least one year. Growers are…

September 2020 Forage Report

sorghum-sudangrass after a frost
Christine O'Reilly October 2, 2020 820 Comments Off on September 2020 Forage Report
Forages

Photo: It is impossible to tell by looking at frost-damaged sorghum-sudangrass what the prussic acid levels may be. Silage Corn In fields where rootworm Bt hybrids have been used for three or more consecutive years, resistance among corn rootworm populations is suspected. Producers can no longer rely solely on Bt rootworm hybrids for protection against rootworm injury. See the 2020 Canadian…

Unraveling the Mystery of Soil: Manure’s Contribution

Christine BrownChristine Brown September 22, 2020 1819 Comments Off on Unraveling the Mystery of Soil: Manure’s Contribution
Forages

Christine Brown, Sustainability Specialist – Field Crops, OMAFRA “A radical new way of thinking about soil has partially solved the mystery of why adding manure improves resilience, climate control, and crop yields.” – Dr. Andy Neal, Rothamsted Research. Have you ever wondered why forests can establish and thrive without being fertilized? Or, why grasslands, pastures, or roadside vegetation – including…

Frost Injury in Sorghum Species

sorghum-sudangrass after a frost
Christine O'Reilly September 21, 2020 800 Comments Off on Frost Injury in Sorghum Species
Cover Crops

Caution! Members of the sorghum family – sorghum, sudangrass, and hybrid sorghum-sudangrass – contain dhurrin, a glucoside that breaks down to release hydrocyanic acid, also known as prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide, HCN). A sudden disruption of growth such as frost, drought or cutting, causes prussic acid to be released inside the plant at a more rapid rate. High prussic acid…

Managing Jointing and Non-Jointing Grasses

Christine O'Reilly September 21, 2020 557 Comments Off on Managing Jointing and Non-Jointing Grasses
Forages

Christine O’Reilly, Forage and Grazing Specialist, OMAFRA Grass doesn’t just happen and not all species grow the same way. Understanding how different grass species grow enables producers to make good management decisions that maximize forage production in their hay fields and pastures. Jointing and non-jointing grasses respond differently to cutting, which directly affects productivity and persistence. In an established stand,…

AgriSuite Field Management Calculator

Christine BrownChristine Brown September 11, 2020 720 Comments Off on AgriSuite Field Management Calculator
Corn

AgriSuite is an interactive online collection of management tools and calculators, developed by OMAFRA that you can access from your desktop or mobile device. AgriSuite assists you with key crop fertilization management decisions and how they relate to optimizing crop production and protecting the environment. AgriSuite: The Field Management Calculator helps with nutrient balancing to optimize crop production Consider the…

August 2020 Forage Report

Christine O'Reilly September 1, 2020 743 Comments Off on August 2020 Forage Report
Forages

Photo: Many winter wheat fields were planted to an annual forage crop after harvest this year. Premiums for summer-seeded New Forage Seeding insurance are due to Agricorp September 15. Silage corn growers should check fields for rootworm resistance to Bt hybrids Scouting for corn rootworm injury in silage fields is important to detect potential resistance to rootworm Bt traits and…

Forage Options to Replace Silage Corn

Christine O'Reilly August 24, 2020 1340 Comments Off on Forage Options to Replace Silage Corn
Corn

Key Points: Rotating out of corn is the most effective way to reduce populations of Bt-resistant corn rootworm. To replace silage corn for 2021, establish fall rye or winter triticale immediately after 2020 silage corn harvest. After the cereal silage comes off in mid-May, establish sorghum-sudangrass and take two cuts. An energy source will need to be supplemented; producers should…

July 2020 Forage Report

Alfalfa plants exhibiting characteristic hopperburn: a yellow V shape on the tips of the leaves.
Christine O'Reilly August 5, 2020 581 Comments Off on July 2020 Forage Report
Forages

Photo above: Potato leafhopper damage (called “hopper burn”) is frequently mistaken for insufficient water. To maximize the forage yield of fall cereals next spring, research from New York state suggests planting fall rye or winter triticale 10-14 days before the optimal winter wheat planting date (Figure 1).   September 1st is the deadline to report summer-seeded New Forage Seeding acres…

Forage Options Following Wheat

Joel BaggJoel Bagg July 7, 2020 3802 Comments Off on Forage Options Following Wheat
Forages

With winterkill, winter injury and low first-cut yields in many parts of Ontario as well as higher land costs, there is interest in following winter wheat and other cereals with a forage crop to help supplement inventories. Not only can this approach produce some extra feed, it also provides cover crop benefits. There are a few double-crop forage options that can provide some cheaper,…

June 2020 Forage Report

Christine O'Reilly June 30, 2020 652 Comments Off on June 2020 Forage Report
Forages

Southwestern • According to AAFC, Lambton, Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey, Dufferin, Wellington, Waterloo, and Halton counties had average amounts of precipitation for the month of June. The rest of the region had below-average amounts of rainfall. • First cut was fully underway the first week of June. • There have been many reports of true armyworm in fields in the…

Putting Hay into a Cash Crop Rotation

Christine O'Reilly June 23, 2020 1076 Comments Off on Putting Hay into a Cash Crop Rotation
Forages

Christine O’Reilly, Forage and Grazing Specialist , OMAFRA The soil health benefits of having a perennial forage in the crop rotation are better than any cover crop, because its living roots are in the soil for much longer. Hay prices have been strong over the last couple of years, and there is always a market for high-quality hay. A feasibility…

May 2020 Forage Report

Christine O'Reilly June 3, 2020 563 Comments Off on May 2020 Forage Report
Forages

Cool conditions in the first half of the month slowed forage growth across the province. Victoria Day – the weekend before May 24th – was early this year, with the holiday falling on May 18th. This further affected perceptions of crop development, as many dairy farmers aim to start first cut based on the long weekend. Supplies of sorghum-sudangrass seed…

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