Across much of Ontario major crops and forages are progressing well. Evidence of moisture stress is present on various crops, but some relief came over the period of June 11-14th with scattered rainfall periods. Keeping appraised of incoming rainfall is at the back of everyone’s mind. Be aware of various networks and stations where weather data can be accessed:
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True armyworm infestations have started to reach threshold in a few fields in Southern Ontario. Scouting high risk crops like wheat (winter and spring), mixed forages and corn is recommended. More information is available in this Field Crop News article. Be aware of pests that take advantage of hot and dry conditions including spider mites, thrips, aphids, and potato leafhoppers. Check out this past article Increasing Risk of Pests for more information.
Premiums for production insurance on Grains & Oilseeds and spring-seeded New Forage Seedings are due July 10th to Agricorp.
Weeds
Grassy weeds are becoming more common in winter wheat. There are three common species that are out in head and can easily be seen sticking above the winter wheat crop. Ryegrass (Lolium spp.), Bluegrass (Poa spp.), and Brome grass (Chess, Downy brome). Control options do exist but need to be applied either in the fall or early spring. Making note of their presence now will help with future control.
Weeds that have escaped soil applied herbicides in soybeans and dry beans are generally at the right stage for control with post emergent herbicides (< 6 leaf). Keep an eye out for ragweed control. In 2022, populations of common ragweed were found that are resistant to group 14 herbicides (e.g., Reflex, Blazer). If poor control is observed under ideal application conditions, test plants for herbicide resistance.
Corn
Across the province corn is generally approaching the V6 stage (~10 leaves) in most fields and is progressing well. Isolated reports of hail damage from recent storm fronts have been reported in the southwest.
Soybeans
Most soybeans are now at the first to third trifoliate leaf stage. Early planted fields are beginning to flower and progressing quickly. Thin plant stands are a concern especially on heavier soils. Replanting will finish over the next few days with most growers simply “thickening” existing thin stands. Unlike other crops later emerging seed in the same field will not cause uneven maturity problems in the fall. The “rule of thumb” for soybeans is that plants emerging three weeks later in the spring will mature only one week later in the fall. This is due to the soybeans ability to adjust to the season based on daylength.
Cereals
Winter wheat fields across the province continue to show signs of moisture stress but generally are still in good shape. Recent cool night-time temperatures helped reduce stress and prolong the grain-fill period. True armyworm (TAW) has been spotted at near-threshold levels in a winter wheat field near Niagara and has also caused significant damage in late-planted seed corn in Chatham-Kent. Fields should continue to be scouted for signs of this pest. The best time to scout for true armyworm is shortly after dusk when larvae are actively feeding. Examine 10 areas of the field, assessing the number of larvae per 30 cm x 30 cm (1ft x 2ft). See the following article for specific crop thresholds for TAW.
Cereal leaf beetle is also being found at higher levels in some fields of oats, winter and spring wheat, so scouting for this pest should continue. In winter wheat, control is only warranted if feeding is taking place on the flag leaf in the early heading stages. In spring cereals, control is warranted if an average of three larvae per tiller are found before boot stage. One CLB adult or larvae per stem warrants control after boot but prior to heading.
Canola
“(Required)” indicates required fields
Winter canola is approaching harvest with average disease and little insect pressure reports. Spring canola has begun to emerge in northern counties with early-planted fields at 6-leaf stage. Continue to monitor for pests, as cutworm and flea beetle damage has been reported.
Interested in participating in the Canola Yield Challenge? There is still time to apply for both winter and spring challenges. Find the application form at the Ontario Canola Growers Associate page.
Edible beans
While most planting has occurred, some producers continue seeding through the end of June hoping to take advantage of upcoming rains. Some emergence and uniformity issues were reported for fields planted in late May with a few replant decisions being made. Edible beans have a limited ability to branch out to compensate for stand losses. Read more about replant decisions at Dry Bean Agronomy. At minimum 3-4 plants per ft of row in a 30-inch row system is an adequate stand.
Forages
First cut hay is well underway across much of the province. Early indications are for average to above-average yields. Dry hay put up in late May has been heating in storage due to incomplete drying of an immature crop. The risk of spontaneous combustion is highest during the first three months in storage. See Field Crop News for information on key temperature thresholds.
