The 2025 Ontario Corn Committee (OCC) hybrid performance trials are now available at GoCrops.ca (Link HERE). Over past decades, Ontario’s average corn yields have increased around 2 bu/ac/yr. Staying current with new and competitive yielding hybrids is important. A key benefit of OCC trials is the ability to compare a large number of hybrids. These […]
OMAFA field crop specialists in collaboration with Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) and members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA) have completed the 2025 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 […]
This article was originally written by Joel Bagg in 2016. It was edited August 22, 2025 by Christine O’Reilly to fix broken links to further resources. With the dry weather this year and low forage yields across much of the province, many producers are looking for alternative forages. There is a lot of stressed corn […]
Simple Summary– about two days after pollination, or a day after fertilization, corn silks degrade and detach from ovules (potential corn kernels) and provide the earliest indication of successful pollination/fertilization– the “shake test” – peeling back ear husks, giving it a tap and observing how many silks remain attached – can quickly provide an indication […]
This article was written by Emma Peel, a summer research assistant with OMAFA assisting with corn research and extension projects during the summer of 2025. Emma is an agriculture student at the University of Guelph Background Provided we are always planting into moisture, there can be various acceptable depths to plant corn depending on your […]
A cooler than average start to the growing season has added some uncertainty to post-plant nitrogen fertilization strategies for Ontario corn producers. Soil supply of nitrogen to the corn crop is likely lower than normal due to reduced N mineralization from both soil organic matter and manure, and the Maximum Economic Rate of Nitrogen (MERN) […]
Introduction Gibberella ear rot concerns the industry because of DON concentrations. It is well known that DON concentrations are highly dependent on interactions among hybrids, pathogens, and the environment. Starting in 2019, the Ontario Corn Committee (OCC) refined protocols for testing hybrid sensitivity to DON accumulation with confidence based on an assessed risk. This inaugural […]
OMAFA field crop specialists in collaboration with Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) and members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA) have completed the 2024 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 […]
Summary: Background: Throughout the growing season, microbes within the soil break down organic nitrogen contained in soil organic matter and crop residues and release it as plant-available ammonium. This process is known as nitrogen mineralization. Nitrogen mineralization is favoured by warm soil temperatures with adequate soil moisture and aeration. Excess moisture can slow mineralization or […]
Crop Report – June 6, 2024 Field Conditions Significant planting progress has been made in many areas across the province over the last two weeks. Some growers were able to wrap up their corn, soybean and edible bean planting and apply their T3 fungicide applications in wheat. However, those on heavier soils or those who […]
Field Conditions It continues to be a frustrating spring through much of the province. Frequent precipitation has continued to cause delays in tillage, planting, and spraying in some areas, and weather earlier this week has shut down field work once again in many areas. However, with 3–5-day windows of good weather, many producers have covered […]
Crop Report – May 23, 2024 Figure 1. Corn is beginning to emerge across the province this week. Field Conditions This past week, much of the province was able to make some progress on field work. Crop Heat Units (CHU) and Growing Degree Days (GDD) are still well above the five-year average across the province. […]
Field Conditions The season continues to be advanced of normal, which is especially evident in perennial and over-winter crop development. Crop heat units (CHU) and growing degree days (GDD) are significantly above the 10-year average, especially in southern Ontario. Progress for field work, particularly on heavier-textured soils has been limited due to frequent patchy rain, […]
The Ontario Corn Nitrogen Calculator can be accessed by clicking the icon below. (this is the same tool previously posted on gocorn.net) Simple Summary The Corn Nitrogen Calculator Ontario Corn Nitrogen recommendations are derived from the Ontario corn nitrogen database which contains over 40 years of Ontario corn nitrogen yield response data. Current recommendations were […]
The Ontario corn replant decision aid can be accessed by clicking the icon below. (this is the same tool previously posted on gocorn.net) Simple Summary Ontario Corn Replant Decision Aid Tool If you’ve had stand issues following planting corn, you’ve maybe wondered whether the field should be left as-is or if there is an economic […]