On November 1st the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs released New Horizons: Ontario’s Draft Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy for public input. The strategy will serve as a blueprint for Ontario agriculture to protect and improve its soils for years to come. The strategy has four key areas soil management, soil data […]
Co-authored with Dr. Rebecca Hallett and Charles-Étienne Ferland (MSc Candidate), University of Guelph Swede midge continues to pose a significant threat to canola production in Ontario. Based on farmers’ experience with the pest and the difficulty of controlling swede midge through insecticide applications alone, it is clear that multiple tactics are required for successful […]
Correcting soil pH problems is one of the first steps in good soil management. If you have soil sampled recently and found that pH is low, you should act on it. Soil pH affects the availability of a wide range of nutrients in soil; if it is too low or too high, nutrients are less […]
Co-Authored with Karli Barton, Field Research Technician, OMAFRA-Ridgetown As colder weather approaches, we have the opportunity to identify overwintering locations for the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB). BMSB and a few other stink bugs like to move into homes and other sheltered areas for the winter. This is a great time for homeowners dealing […]
This post will serve as a repository for the latest in the integrated management of common ragweed in field crops. […]
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 […]
Fall Weed Management Tips Many farmers have witnessed the value in applying herbicides in the fall to perennial weeds, especially perennial sow-thistle and dandelion (Figure 1.). Often they will see a reduction in their population the next year as well as a delay in their shoot emergence. This allows the planted crop to have a […]
New Online Version for Inspection of Soil Pest Assessment Reports (PAR): Those requiring access to Class 12 Pesticides Neonicotinoid (NNI) treated corn and soybean seeds) are required to submit an Inspection of Soil Pest Assessment Report to their seed vendor prior to the purchase of the seed. There is now an online version of the […]
Plan to Assess Field for Ear Rot and Mycotoxin Risk With assistance from the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA) and funding through the Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) will begin sampling grower corn fields to determine ear mould incidence and occurrence of […]
Co-author: Horst Bohner, Soybean Specialist In 2017, wet growing conditions have made it difficult to put up high quality forages. A wet spring delayed planting in many regions, and the cool summer and an early frost may prevent some soybeans from reaching their full potential as an oilseed crop. These circumstances may encourage producers to […]
Best Management Practices for Late Planted Winter Wheat With many soybean fields across the countryside just starting to change colour, harvest is not likely to begin anytime soon. A cool, wet spring delayed soybean planting in much of the province and cooler temperatures in August and September have pushed harvest back this fall compared to […]
Gauging Corn Growth Stage for Frost Risks With a later than normal planting window and a summer growing season seemingly short on summer weather, some growers have been monitoring their corn growth stages and asking about gauging the risks associated with corn maturity and frost, particularly those who planted very late or have longer maturity […]
Before long, the 2018 winter wheat crop will be seeded across the province (Figure 1). Long-term research at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown campus shows that winter wheat in rotation provides an additional 10 bushels per acre to corn and 5 bushels to soybeans. At current crop prices, that means an extra 107 dollars per […]
Managing Phosphorus to Reduce Losses Phosphorus (P) is an essential plant nutrient. Sufficient phosphorus fertility means improved root growth and winter hardiness, accelerated maturity, and improved yields. However, when phosphorus makes its way off of fields through runoff or tile drains, it can negatively impact the health of rivers and lakes. Lake Erie is the […]
With the delay in growing degree day accumulation and crop maturity, many fields are still in the ideal growth stages that put them at risk of some of our later season pests and diseases. Western bean cutworm (WBC) Peak moth flight for western bean cutworm has finally passed for all regions of the province. Central […]