Interpreting the available nutrients in a fertilizer analysis Whether you are using a commercial fertilizer, organic amendments like manure or compost, or fertilizer by-products from industrial sources, it’s critical to know the nutrient analysis of the product. Analyses for agricultural nutrient sources may come in several different ways: When using a nutrient fertilizer source that […]
Cereal leaf beetle (CLB) adults and eggs have been spotted at low levels in some of the YEN cereal sites being monitored this year. Best to scout fields with a known history of CLB activity soon and plan to check all cereal fields a few times over the next few weeks until the head is […]
Co-authored with Albert Tenuta, Pathologist, Field Crops and Peter Johnson, Agronomist, Real Agriculture As of May 12, 2025 stripe and leaf rust has been identified in a small number of fields in Perth (Leanne Frietag) and Grey (Deb Campbell) counties. Growers across southern Ontario should scout their winter wheat fields closely, particularly where susceptible varieties […]
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are applied to winter wheat to reduce plant height and increase stem thickness. Reducing the risk of lodging or delaying the onset and amount of lodging that occurs makes it easier to manage and harvest wheat. PGRs can also improve yields, particularly where moderate to severe lodging occurs. The simple answer […]
Ontario research has demonstrated that winter wheat in rotation improves corn and soybean yields. But with greater returns on corn and soybean acres, do these yield benefits outweigh revenue reductions from wheat acres? We will answer that question using University of Guelph research to help you make the most profitable crop rotation decisions. The simple […]
Co-written by Dr. Lori Phillips, AAFC Harrow Multicropping practices like double cropping and relay intercropping hold the promise of increased productivity and profitability through the harvest of two crops per year on the same acres of land. Double cropping in southern Ontario is not a new practice; farmers in Essex, Kent and Lambton have for […]
We have likely all heard the term “registered variety” but what does that mean? What kind of registration criteria exist for different field crops and how does that system work in Ontario? What is a registered variety? Registered varieties are unique cultivars, each with their own registration number and a name they must be marketed […]
2023 Planting Conditions Winter wheat, barley and triticale seeding began in mid-September for those planting after canola, early planted, short season soybeans or some early maturing edible bean fields. In most regions however, winter cereal seeding was delayed to late September or early October due to a delay in soybean maturity. Persistent dry conditions through […]
Growers across Ontario have been able to seed winter wheat this fall into almost perfect conditions, and there may be a record acreage seeded. A significant portion of winter wheat acres were seeded in September but with persistent summer like conditions, growers continued seeding well into late October. Early planted fields are well tillered with […]
Registration for the 2025 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) is now open. The Great Lakes YEN works to help farmers improve crop returns through a greater understanding of crop performance. The Great Lakes YEN is currently focused on winter wheat and covers the geographic area of the Province of Ontario, Canada, and the Great […]
The Ontario Cereal Crop Committee (OCCC) winter cereals and spring cereals 2024 final performance trial data is now available at GoCrops.ca. The 2024 data can be found in the tables under “winter wheat”, “winter barley“, “spring wheat“, “oats” and “barley” in the “performance trial results” tab at GoCrops.ca. The winter wheat PDF report can also […]
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 […]
True armyworm (TAW) larvae have been spotted in some winter wheat fields in Chatham Kent and Lambton County. This is in addition to cereal leaf beetle (CLB) larvae reaching threshold in some cereal fields, in some cases causing significant damage. So far reports of CLB reaching threshold have been from fields in the Sombra, Petrolia, […]
Cereal Leaf Beetle and True Armyworm Update Cereal leaf beetle (CLB), and true armyworm are common cereal pests in Ontario. To help support growers in their management of these pests and to better understand their prevalence, 28 fields across Ontario are being scouted weekly for cereal leaf beetle (CLB) and true armyworm (TAW). Crop growth […]
Cereal leaf beetle (CLB) adults have been active and laying eggs over the last month in winter cereals. Though the adult feeding does not cause much injury, expect to start seeing larvae and their leaf feeding start over the next few weeks. My crew just found a few first instar CLB larvae today in one […]