Report was issued on July 27
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
OMAFRA’s Field Crop Team released its latest Field Crop Report on July 27, and the lack of rain has farmers scratching their heads about what to do next.
“In areas which have been severely dry, corn growth has been impacted significantly and growers are contemplating using the corn for feed or removing the crop,” the report reads.
The Field Crop Team reminds farmers that while wheat may be an option if they decide to remove their corn, there’s always risks of Fusarium head blight when planting wheat after corn.
Like corn, dry weather is impacting soybeans.
“Moisture is the critical factor between a thriving crop versus one which is struggling,” says the report.
The dry conditions are favourable for soybean cyst nematode infection. Farmers are reminded to gently dig and remove soil to examine the roots for small cysts that are white or yellow.
According to OMAFRA, the minimum target as of August 1 is 90,000 soybean plants per acre.
The winter wheat harvest has resulted in higher than average yields, especially in areas with little Fusarium/DON reported.
However, the dry weather impacted yields in areas with very sandy soils.
OMAFRA reminds farmers when the wheat is off to practice good weed management, especially with Canada fleabane, since it can deposit up to 30 million seeds per acre.