Monitor and Report Spider Mite Resistance in Ontario Soybean and Dry Bean Crops

Written by: Tracey Baute, Field Crop Entomologist, OMAFRA, Dr. Vojislava Grbic, Associate Professor, Western University and Dr. Ian Scott, Research Scientist, AAFC-London With the exception of the significant rain events in the last week, this year’s hot, dry conditions and early wheat harvest could be priming us for another bad spider mite season in soybeans […]

Read More…

Crop Report – June 23, 2021

Figure 2. Thrips feed on individual plant cells leaving scars along the leaf veins. (Photo credit: Robert Moloney, Boyd’s Farm Supply)

It is proving to be another good insect year with several early season pests keeping everyone busy scouting to stay ahead of. Going into July and August, there are a few more pests that we need to keep watch for. Thrips continue to be spotted in soybeans, corn and wheat fields. There are several different […]

Read More…

Exeter, Mount Forest Breakfast Meeting Minutes: June 22, 2021

soybeans with mulch underneath

This was the last meeting of the Exeter, Mount Forest Breakfast meeting for this spring.  Thanks to all those who attended and a special thanks to those who participated in the discussion.  We will email a survey to the group at a later date to explore ideas of how the meetings should be conducted next […]

Read More…

Exeter-Mt Forest Ag Breakfast Meeting Minutes – June 8, 2021

Cereals Warm daytime and nighttime temperatures have resulted in rapid growth through the heading stage. Wheat can be vulnerable to hot temperatures during flowering especially if it gets above 33oC.  Pollen viability can be affected at that temperature when the pollen is developing at 5-7 days before flowering. In the areas where it has been […]

Read More…

Northern Agribusiness Breakfast Meeting – June 2, 2021

canola seeded May 19 in Thunder Bay

Photo credit: Dr. Tarlok Singh Sahota. Canola seeded May 19th in Thunder Bay District. June 2nd  was the last meeting of the season. We had good attendance and would like to thank everyone that joined and participated. It is estimated that 8,000 acres of canola and soybeans are being reseeded in northeastern Ontario after the […]

Read More…

Ridgetown-Simcoe Ag Breakfast Meeting Minutes – June 1, 2021

Overview:  Rainfall last week was welcomed across the region and relieved the anxiety for those with crops planted into dry soils and for growers waiting for some activation of soil applied herbicides. Crop heat unit accumulation since the beginning of May is about 425 CHU.  This is close to last year and long-term average, with cooler temperatures at the beginning of the month slowing a trend from April […]

Read More…

Crop Report – May 26, 2021

Figure 1. Cereal rye left as over-winter cover crop is being harvested as high quality ryelage and will be followed with a crop of corn or soybeans immediately after harvest.

Conditions Some thunderstorms through Essex provided some moisture, but most areas of the province received less than 5 mm over the long weekend and conditions throughout the province remain dry. Temperatures have transitioned from colder than normal to summer-like, and double-digit night-time temperatures have helped newly planted crops to emerge quickly. Cereals Early planted wheat […]

Read More…

Crop Report – May 19, 2021

Figure 2. Land rolling can increase the risk of soil degradation in some conditions

Conditions Current weather patterns are generally expected to hold for the next week or so. This will allow for planting of corn and soybeans to be mostly complete by the last week of May, though many fields and farms will appreciate some rain soon, particularly in the far southwest (Figure 1). Significant precipitation is possible […]

Read More…

Exeter and Mount Forest Breakfast Meeting Minutes – May 11, 2021

Cereals  Since our last meeting cereal growth has been slow in much of the area. From May 1st to today about 65-75 growing degree days have accumulated in the area.  Most of the wheat is still at GS 31 to GS 32 in with earlier planted fields approaching flag leaf and late planted fields still around GS 30. Very little progress on herbicide, fungicide and plant growth regulator […]

Read More…

Crop Report – May 5, 2021

Figure 3. Canola in flower

Winter wheat Winter wheat fields in general continue to be exceptional across the province despite temperature fluctuations. Continued cool weather the past week has resulted in some frost injury, but it is not expected to have any yield impact. In southern counties, early planted wheat is approaching the flag leaf stage. Later planted fields are […]

Read More…

Ridgetown-Simcoe Ag Breakfast Meeting Minutes – May 4, 2021

overhead view of young wheat with some tissue injury

The information below represents updates from Simcoe and Ridgetown areas and other parts of southwestern Ontario, including Middlesex, Huron and Perth counties. Weather A range of precipitation was reported from Monday’s rainfall – anywhere from 2 to 10 mm. With more light rainfall falling on Tuesday, it’s anticipated that field activity will start back up […]

Read More…

Ontario Field Crop Report, April 29, 2021

Winter wheat Winter wheat acreage is up by 8% compared to the 2020 growing season (Statistics Canada). In general, the winter wheat crop looks very good throughout the province. Cold weather caused some temporary leaf necrosis (leaf tip burn) in a few fields. This leaf burn is sometimes made worse when a herbicide is applied […]

Read More…

Exeter + Mt Forest Ag Breakfast Meeting Minutes – April 27, 2021

Winter Wheat Depending on the region, about 75 growing degree days (GDD) have accumulated since the last meeting.. It takes about 100 GDD for wheat to advance through each growth stage, so wheat has not been growing quickly during the cool weather the past two weeks. In many areas it is still at growth stage […]

Read More…

Northern Ag Breakfast Meeting Minutes – April 21, 2021

The first Northern Ag Breakfast Meeting of the season was held April 21st at 8:30am Eastern time. For those in the westernmost regions of Ontario it’s 7:30am Central time, so we thank you for rising early to join us! There will be a total of 4 meetings this season, occurring every other Wednesday. On May […]

Read More…

Crop Report – April 22, 2021

Figure 1. April 21, 2021: Snow on alfalfa established in 2020

Growing Conditions Temperatures have been warmer than average since early March, which has advanced crop development faster than normal. Forecasts predict a few days of cold weather (Figure 1.), snow and frost, followed by more normal temperatures for this time of year.                         Dry field conditions have been excellent […]

Read More…