Air temperatures for the week of May 4th were below the seasonal average. This has slowed soil warming and while not hindering planting, it is delaying germination and emergence of seeded crops. But so far, the 2020 season has offered better planting conditions than the past number of springs. Cereals Most of the winter wheat crop […] Read more
Cool temps delay germination, crop emergence
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for May 7
Corn planting starts off well, then slowed by rain
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for April 30
Corn Planting began at the tail end of the week of April 20 and continued at a good pace until the widespread rain event on Wednesday/Thursday during the week of April 27th. Many agronomists have commented that soil conditions have been exceptional given the calendar date and what recent spring conditions have been like. As […] Read more
Cool temps slow crop progress
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for April 23
While the growing season started early in many regions, cooler temperatures over the last week have slowed progress. Manure applications continue where soil conditions are fit. Cereals Winter wheat planted prior to mid-October continues to look good. However, some late planted fields have holes due to winterkill or excess water. Growers with a market for […] Read more
2020 crop season kicks off for Ontario farmers
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for April 16
The 2020 growing season has begun in Ontario with nitrogen applications being made to winter wheat, manure being applied and even corn being planted! Many have reported field conditions to be much better than they ever were in 2019. Winter Wheat More than 1 million acres of winter wheat has been seeded in the province […] Read more
Pest lessons learned in the 2019 Ontario crop year
Ontario Field Crop Report for the week of September 23
We all agree that this has been one of the most challenging cropping years in Ontario, but there were some pest lessons learned from the experience. Effect of delayed planting Delayed planting can reduce the risk of some early season pests. Pests like bean leaf beetle (BLB) move into the earliest emerging fields first. With […] Read more
Fall means sampling for soybean cyst nematode
Ontario Field Crop Report for the week of September 16
As fall approaches, two things are certain – winter will come and soybean cyst nematode (SCN) has done its business! For many growers, managing soybean cyst nematode means planting SCN resistance varieties BUT effective SCN management does not end when you have selected your soybean varieties! It is imperative to not only know your SCN […] Read more
Strategies for reducing compaction from wheel traffic
Ontario Field Crop Report for the week of September 9
Farm show season is upon us! As we admire the many types and sizes of farm equipment, most of us would rather ignore the elephant in the room; a lot of new farm machinery is simply too heavy to drive across the field without risking deep, potentially permanent, subsoil compaction. Deep compaction is almost entirely […] Read more
Soil fertility benefits of wheat in rotation
Ontario Field Crop Report for the week of August 19
Winter wheat harvest is now complete and before long the 2020 winter wheat crop will be seeded across the province. Yields have been better than expected for many. September planted wheat ranges from 100-130 bushels per acre, early October wheat ranges from 80-100 bu/ac and late October planted wheat yielded from 30 to 70 bu/ac. […] Read more
Winter wheat harvest winds down, increase of SDS in soybeans seen
Ontario Field Crop Report for the week of August 12
Winter wheat Winter wheat harvest is winding down across the province and reported yields to date have ranged from 80-130 bu/ac which compares well to the five-year average yield of 82.7 bushels/ac. This was a pleasant surprise for many growers’ considering all the stresses the winter wheat crop had to endure. Good reports of straw […] Read more
Crop pest insects descend on Ontario fields
Ontario Field Crop Report for the week of August 5
Western bean cutworm (WBC) Peak moth flight is likely taking place this week for many regions of Ontario, putting both corn and dry beans at risk. WBC moths prefer pre-tassel to full tassel corn to lay eggs in so scout these fields first. If corn has passed these stages in the immediate area, moths will choose […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
