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 […]
Photo: Orchardgrass accumulates anthocyanins during sunny days and cold soil conditions when photosynthesis outpaces root development. Turning purple is temporary; it will grow through this. Winter Conditions Most of the province had average amounts of precipitation over the winter. Areas of Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Huron, Grey, Bruce, Temiskaming, Cochrane, Rainy River, and Kenora received below-average winter […]
Southwestern: Most alfalfa stands overwintered well; however those on heavy soils and in low-lying areas may have suffered winter injury. New seedings and annual forage acres are expected to increase this year in response to weather conditions over 2016 and 2017. As of May 27th, alfalfa weevils had reached 1st instar. Scouting is advised to identify […]
Heavy rains and wet soils since June 6th have delayed haying operations. Considerable amounts of quality haylage and baleage were made, but the weather must clear before much haying can resume. Initial yield reports were quite variable, with some very disappointing yields being reported in western and central Ontario (60 – 100% of normal). […]
First-cut dairy haylage is in full swing as the weather permits. Some farms are finished. The dry spring weather limited forage growth in some areas, particularly grassier fields, forage winter cereals, ryegrass, and alfalfa fields that were older, winter injured or fall harvested. Where severe frost occured on May 23rd, some alfalfa growth and development […]
First-cut dairy haylage is started in southern Ontario, and should be in full swing next week. With the dry weather in late-April and May in many areas, forage growth is reduced, particularly in the grasses. Potential yields are quite variable depending on the stand, but looks disappointing in some areas. Grassier fields, forage winter cereals, ryegrass, and alfalfa […]
Soil moisture levels are variable across the province, with some areas having adequate moisture with good forage growth, while others with little rain are dry with shorter than normal stands. Grass growth has been more affected by the dry weather than the alfalfa. Many alfalfa stands harvested during the Critical Fall Harvest Period are showing […]
With warmer temperatures and recent rains, the alfalfa and grass growth and development is now advancing rapidly, despite a slow start in early April. Older, less healthy stands are beginning to become yellow with dandelions. Many fields that were fall cut are seeing delayed growth that will likely result in reduced 1st-cut yields. Grass stands have […]
Alfalfa has generally over-wintered very well, but there are scattered reports from across the province of some winterkill and winter injury. The normally higher risk area of the Ottawa Valley seems to have minimal (less than 10%) winterkill issues. Winter injury is observed more commonly in older stands, fall harvested stands, and stands with poor […]
First-cut continues with variable yields. Yields are generally good in eastern Ontario. In western Ontario areas where alfalfa winterkill and injury occurred, stands are thin, with many reported yields at 50 – 80% of normal. This has created some concern about producing adequate forage supplies. Considerable acres have been seeded to annual forages such as […]
Winterkill! Check your alfalfa stands! Winterkill and winter injury are being reported across much the province, including many areas in western and central Ontario where winterkill is not normally an issue. Many stands are showing extensive damage. Forage crop green-up and growth has been delayed about 2 weeks by cool weather, particularly fields that were […]