OMAFRA Field Crop News – Wheat harvest 2020 is right around the corner! The conditions are dry in those fields! Once the rush starts it will be “all hands on deck” But remember the slew of harvest/field fires that occurred in July 2016/17/18 under similar dry conditions. Harvest fires result in a financial, emotional and […] Read more
Tag Archives OMAFRA — page 7
Avoiding, preparing for and reacting to harvest fires
Deciding which cover crops to use
There’s more known now about what cover crops work in what soils and for what end uses
Planting cover crops following winter wheat harvest is not a new concept for Ontario producers. The ability of cover crops to add organic matter to soil, sequester weeds and reduce erosion is greatly beneficial but one cover crop won’t work for all producers and their needs. “It’s going to depend on the grower, their situation, […] Read more
Wheat pests are still a concern
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for June 25
True armyworm (TAW) larvae are in many winter wheat and spring cereal fields across southern Ontario, thankfully not always at threshold. Some fields have populations at threshold (4-5 unparasitized larvae smaller than 2.5 cm per square foot) or above and with minimal feeding damage. Larvae sometimes choose not to do as much feeding and move […] Read more
Hop producers continue to sit on previous years’ crop
Change in beer novelties and international supply lowers demand for Canadian product
Hop production has exploded in recent years in North America as producers assumed local breweries would value their product – but continuous difficult market situations have Ontario growers sitting on product they can’t sell. The explosion led to the highest acreage numbers of hops seen since “1996(ish),” says Evan Elford, new crop development specialist with […] Read more
Corn, soy planting largely complete, fair weather spurs forage growth
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for June 4
Corn While planting has largely been completed the last number of weeks, corn is still being planted on heavier soils which have just recently been fit enough for planting (Niagara/Haldimand, Southern Lambton, SW Kent). If rainfall further delays planting, more remaining acreage may be switched to soybeans. Despite great planting conditions, there are reports of […] Read more
Warm weather accelerates crop growth
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for May 28
Warmer conditions starting late last week have fast-tracked crop growth. Rainfall during the past week has been sporadic with isolated thunderstorms resulting in flooded fields in one location and no rainfall less than a km away. Fields in many regions would welcome some moisture. Corn Planting is completed and most corn planted between April 27th and […] Read more
Early planted corn emerging, soybean planting continues
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for May 21
Temperatures over the past week have been significantly warmer than the week prior. Most of the province saw rain over the long weekend. In many areas this was welcome news, but much of southwestern Ontario received significant downpours and flooded fields were a common sight. Corn Most of the intended acreage was planted before the […] Read more
How low can you go when it comes to tire pressure?
Tires can take lower pressure, but using low pressure to reduce compaction depends on farmer comfort level
The impact of farm equipment causing soil compaction is primarily a function of soil moisture at the time of traffic combined with the total weight, axle load and tire pressure of the implement. By lowering tire pressure, we reduce the impact of soil compaction up to a point, which is a function of the ability […] Read more
OMAFRA launches new AgMaps tool
The map helps farmers understand the water erosion potential of their fields
A new program involving Ontario’s Agricultural Information Atlas, commonly known as AgMaps, helps farmers determine the soil erosion potential of their fields. The water erosion potential map has been in the making for years. It takes advantage of information previously within the AgMaps portal and recently collected LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) remote survey data […] Read more
Governments funding farmers’ move to online sales
Direct-to-consumer sales from farms has quickly moved digital
Many farmers have moved to marketing their food and plants through the internet and they now have the chance for government help to fund that transition. The Ontario and Canadian governments are investing $2.5 million the new Agri-Food Open for E-Business initiative through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP). Organizations and businesses can apply for a […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
