MarketsFarm –– The crop report on Wednesday from Ontario’s ministry of agriculture, food and rural affairs (OMAFRA) notes a lack of temperatures warm enough to accurately assess winter crops and/or to begin spring planting.
OMAFRA determined winter wheat that was seeded on time looks healthier than what was planted later in the fall. Also, water in low-lying fields, poor drainage and soil compaction are posing problems for winter crops.
In the southwest of the province, hay fields and pastures are greening up. However, for fields and pastures east of the Greater Toronto Area, it remains too early to determine their condition.
OMAFRA said winter canola generally looks good, but there hasn’t been a lot of growth so far this spring. A wet fall delayed some seeding, which has put into question the extent of its winter survival.
Spring canola planting will soon get underway once the soil temperature reaches a minimum of +2 C. Farmers should wait until the soil reaches 5 C, the report said, adding that 10 C is optimum for rapid emergence.
