Farmers in parts of Ontario are being given more time to plant corn this year - but only a few extra days.
Provincial crop insurer Agricorp said Friday it would extend the corn planting deadline in Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Chatham-Kent, Essex, and Elgin until June 18. The usual deadline for the same counties is June 15.
Overly wet conditions have badly delayed corn – as well as soybean – planting in various parts of the province. The latest field observations from the Grain Farmers of Ontario on Thursday pegged Ontario corn planting at about 90%, with soybeans at around 80%. However, the same report noted that some areas still had “significant” acreage still to be planted.
Forecasts for southern Ontario this week are for potentially record-breaking heat, along with chances of scattered thunderstorms and showers.
According to Agricorp, decisions to extend planting deadlines for production insurance require approval from the Ontario and federal governments. Other criteria for extensions include agronomic impacts, crop conditions surrounding the planting dates, and crop viability.
Decisions to plant within the extended planting period are left up to individual farmers.
Source : Syngenta.ca