Field Crop Report: Canola:
Canola: Brian Hall
Planting is 70 % complete in West - Central Ontario. Early April planted fields are in cotyledon to 1st leaf stage with good emergence. Timely rainfall received in most areas will help even emergence of later planted stands. Emergence is occurring in 10 to 14 days under cold soil temperature conditions. Pay attention to 1000 kernel seed weight (grams per 1000 seeds) and adjust seeding rate accordingly. Don’t plant by pounds per acre. Optimum plant population target is 7 to 10 plants/ft 2. Significant differences in seed size exist between varieties and seed lots. If needed, bulk seed with pelletized sulphur, Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) or corn cob grits to calibrate seeding rates. Using MAP has advantage of providing starter phosphorous (P). Starter P response is highest on low testing P fields, early seeding or seeding into cold soil conditions.
Corn: Greg Stewart
Depending on the area, 10 to 60% of the corn crop has been planted. Provincially corn planting is estimated at 35%. Soil conditions remain dry and friable in most areas; the lack of soil moisture is an increasing concern and has forced deeper planting especially on light textured soils. Cold temperatures and rain/snow mix has caused some concern over seed or seedling damage due to the uptake of cold water. The most vulnerable time is when the cold water is imbibed by the seed in the first 24 to 48 hours after planting. A relatively dry 14 day forecast should heighten grower’s awareness of soil moisture conservation. Avoid secondary tillage that is too aggressive (too deep, too many passes) and causes excessive drying. Packing or rolling to conserve moisture is advised.
Cereals: Peter Johnson / Scott Banks
Winter cereals are moving forward slowly with the cool temperatures. Cold nights in low heat unit areas (-5oC) continued to stress the crop and show tip burn on leaves. A few more November acres have been targeted for replant with insufficient stand establishment to qualify for crop insurance. Manganese (Mn) deficiency is more prevalent than normal due to extremely dry soils: spray to correct. Disease pressure remains low, with mildew beginning in advanced fields. Cool temperatures and high winds have resulted in the majority of the crop waiting to be sprayed for weed control and/or with early fungicides. This is the correct choice, as later fungicide applications increase yield more than early applications. It is too late in advanced fields to worry about dandelion, chickweed or other winter annual weed control. The damage is done. Advanced spring cereals are at the 4 leaf stage. Herbicides should be applied as soon as weeds emerge and temperatures allow. There is insufficient growth in these fields to consider a
fungicide application: weed control and early fungicides applications are best split if weed pressure is high and maximum yields are desired.
Forages/Pastures: Joel Bagg/Jack Kyle
Forages: Nitrogen (N) dramatically increase the yield of grass stands, as well as forage protein levels. Optimum rates depend on the cost of N, anticipated value of the hay, thickness of stand, moisture conditions, and whether it is pasture or hay. Good grass stands with less than one-third legume, can generally benefit from at least 70 kg/ha (63 lbs/acre) of actual N (Table 3-6, OMAFRA Publication 811, Agronomy Guide http://bit.ly/omafraforage4 ). The first application of N for hay should be made at green-up, as soon as possible in the spring when soil conditions are suitable. If you have not already done so, walk alfalfa fields and dig some plants to assess winterkill, heaving, frost damage and plant health. Watch for crown and root rots, brownish discoloration, spongy texture and lack of secondary roots and nodulation. Plant health can be more significant than plant density to get a good yield. Or more information on Alfalfa Stand Assessment visit: http://bit.ly/omafraforage5 .
Pasture: Cool and dry conditions have slowed grass development. Do not start grazing until the grass has the 3rd leaf emerged (a minimum of 7 to 10 cm) and then rotate quickly between paddocks. Management during the first round of rotational grazing can affect the productivity of the pasture for the rest of the summer; do not graze shorter than 7 to 10 cm. The residual forage is what grows more forage for the next rotation. Livestock should be rotated quickly so that the last paddock in the rotation is grazed before the seed heads emerge.
Soybeans: Horst Bohner
A few fields of soybeans were planted in the province last week. Field conditions were excellent. Little seeding progress is expected this week with cool and wet conditions. Weather permitting it’s expected that considerable acreage will be seeded in the first week of May. This would be ideal for maximum yield potential. When planting soybeans this early do not seed them deep. Emergence is generally the greatest problem with early seeded beans. Keeping them shallow when planting in April (about 1 inch) will help them to emerge more quickly.
Weather Summary: (source: www.weatherinnovations.com/weathersummary.cfm)
Source: OMAFRA