Ontario’s crop 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, cool […] Read more
Tag Archives alfalfa
Winter wheat crops quickly advance, alfalfa weevil seen active
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week of May 16
DLF buys Corteva’s alfalfa seed business
Business to be 'fully transitioned' after 2024 season
International forage and turf seed firm DLF is stretching its reach in the alfalfa market with a deal for Corteva Agriscience’s assets in that business. The Danish firm announced Wednesday it had acquired Corteva’s global alfalfa germplasm and breeding program for an undisclosed sum, including its current commercial alfalfa varieties and their trademarks such as […] Read more
Feed the crop that feeds the livestock!
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week ending September 4
For forage producers, the production year starts in the fall. What farmers do from mid-August to the end of the growing season impacts this winter’s feed inventory and next year’s forage yield potential. Forage crops have the highest crop nutrient removal values of any field crop grown in Ontario. Harvesting the whole crop while it […] Read more
DLF sowing the seeds of increased alfalfa breeding with Corteva aquisition
DLF has acquired Corteva Agriscience’s alfalfa breeding program, effective Sept. 1. “We have consistently aimed to establish a strong presence in alfalfa across all our global markets, including North America,” said Soren Halbye, group CEO of DLF, in a release. “Acquiring a renowned alfalfa research program presents a rare opportunity for DLF to significantly enhance […] Read more
A soil health investigation
It took old and new technology to diagnose compaction as the culprit
The soil on Ken Mitchell’s alfalfa and corn fields looked good on paper but the reality was less than stellar in terms of production. The 100-acre block was the focus of the Grey County Soil and Crop Improvement Association crop tour in late July. It looked at how marrying new technology with tried-and-true soil assessment […] Read more
Saudi Arabia highly dependent on grain imports
Alfalfa more profitable for domestic growers
MarketsFarm — While Saudi Arabia is a giant among the oil-producing countries of the world, the desert kingdom does produce small amounts of grain. With a population that’s about one million less than Canada’s, Saudi Arabia is extremely dependent on importing its grain from overseas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) attaché in Riyadh explained […] Read more
Alfalfa autoxicity test would be useful tool
Not all factors behind autotoxicity are known but research is providing further answers
Research at Michigan State University (MSU) aims to develop a test to determine alfalfa autotoxicity in a field, similar to tests for detecting residual herbicide that could damage a crop. That same research could lead to breeding varieties with resistance to the condition. MSU Forage and Cover Crops Extension Specialist Kim Cassida covered the topic […] Read more
September forage report for Ontario
OMAFRA Forage Report for October 6
Ontario Hay Listings is a free classifieds service provided by the Ontario Forage Council. Producers looking to buy or sell hay or straw are encouraged to post an ad. In 2020 there were several reports of corn rootworm injury to hybrids with below-ground protection from Bt traits. This suggests that Bt-resistant corn rootworm populations exist in Ontario. Continuous […] Read more
Data project could drive new forage tools
Alfalfa hasn’t had the data tied to best management practices that has benefited row crop growers
A new initiative designed to improve alfalfa producers’ access to precision management tools could boost the crop’s popularity and increase production, industry officials say. Data collection has started for two new alfalfa artificial intelligence (AI) decision management tools across Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Manitoba. The project aims to create the data base needed to […] Read more
Corn N status and forage crop bugs
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for June 9
Corn Nitrogen Status Nitrogen mineralization is favoured by warm soil temperatures with adequate soil moisture and aeration. Excess moisture can slow mineralization or increase the potential for losses through denitrification (especially under warm conditions) or leaching. Spring of 2021 progressed similar to 2020. Sunshine and little rainfall resulted in great soil conditions through April and […] Read more
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