A trap showing two Western corn rootworm beetles. If the traps averaged two beetles per day, this meets the threshold for developing Bt resistance if Bt hybrids are in the field.

Corn Rootworm trapping study will encourage crop rotation

Results show corn rootworm pressure highest in counties with corn on corn rotations

Corn fields in two southwest counties and one in the east are at the highest risk in Ontario of hosting Bt-resistant corn rootworm (CRW), according to results from a first-year, grower-led beetle trapping project funded in part by Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO). Tracey Baute, entomologist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural […] Read more

Conditions in Eastern Ontario were ideal for aphid infestations last year. Effective control was achieved after tank-mixing insecticide with herbicide and fungicide.

Agronomy lessons learned in 2021

Production specialists discuss hail and frost, impact of a light winter, and other challenges

Last year brought many surprises, including a few agronomic ones.  Agronomists and presenters Patrick O’Neill, Carrie Davenport and Hanna Petrovsky recently shared some of the challenges, wins and lessons observed during a year of extremes during the virtual Ontario Agricultural Conference.  The 2021 growing season started early for O’Neill, his colleagues and farmers in the […] Read more

Figure 1. Weekly WBC trap catches for Ontario. Peak flight occurred during the week of July 29th to August 4th.

Flight of the western bean cutworm

OMAFRA Field Crop Report for August 25

It is safe to say that western bean cutworm (WBC) is a pest that we can rely on entering corn and dry beans every year in Ontario. Though a frustrating pest to scout for, using traps to monitor moth flight has helped us better predict when to expect peak moth flight occurs, which is shortly […] Read more

Figure 1 (left): Thrips are tiny and cigar shaped. Adults have fringed wings while the larva (above) are wingless. Figure 2 (right): Thrips feed on individual plant cells leaving scars along the leaf veins.

Much ado about crop pest insects

OMAFRA Field Crop Report for June 23

It is proving to be another good insect year with several early season pests keeping everyone busy scouting to stay ahead of. Going into July and August, there are a few more pests that we need to keep watch for. Thrips continue to be spotted in soybeans, corn and wheat fields. There are several different kinds […] Read more

Just rotating pyramids of Bt traits won’t help as most of them are similar, say OMAFRA experts.

Lessons learned from U.S. struggle against corn rootworm resistance

Producers growing corn-on-corn encouraged to find new sources of feed

Specialists from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs recently urged the province’s corn-growing livestock producers to take the issue of corn rootworm resistance to Bt traits seriously. They said efforts in the United States to slow the growth of resistance in corn rootworm to Bt-based control traits have not been effective. Why […] Read more


Fields in Huron, Perth and Durham counties have been identified with corn rootworm damage in Bt corn.

Signs of resistance to Bt trait emerging in corn

Farms with continuous corn are especially at risk and should scout their fields

Farmers are reporting challenges with Bt corn rootworm with unexpected injury caused by the pest. A Canadian Corn Pest Coalition (CCPC) release says that growers, especially those growing continuous corn, are reporting that control is failing to some trait providers and research and extension scientists. Corn rootworm (CRW) has historically been one of the most […] Read more

VIDEO: Western Bean Cutworm

VIDEO: Western Bean Cutworm

Field Talk with Matt Rundle: Ideal timing for scouting of WBC is now

On this edition of Field Talk, Farmtario reporter Jennifer Glenney, speaks with Matt Rundle, sales agronomist with Harriston Agromart, about Western Bean Cutworm scouting. Rundle says the ideal timing to scout this nasty pest is now. Peak moth flight, and egg masses are the best things to look for within grower’s fields. Western Bean Cutworm […] Read more

VIDEO: Armyworm a growing concern in wheat

VIDEO: Armyworm a growing concern in wheat

Field Talk with Johanna Lindeboom: How to scout for this crop pest

Cool and wet April weather along with thunderstorms are ideal for armyworm, a hay and wheat pest, to migrate north to Ontario. There are minimal options for dealing with armyworm, so proper scouting is a must as this crop pest has been quickly appearing in Ontario fields. In this edition of Field Talk, Farmtario reporter […] 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

The largest soybean crop ever?

The largest soybean crop ever?

The switch away from corn due to late planting and a wet spring could mean record soybean acres

Planting of the Ontario soybean crop was still underway in early June, with time left in the planting window. Horst Bohner, soybean specialist at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said that about five per cent of the crop had been planted by end of May. However, some better weather in June […] Read more