It’s not Halloween yet, but cornfields in some regions are beginning to look a bit scary, according to the latest field observations from the Grain Farmers of Ontario on Thursday.
Tar spot has killed plants, ear rots are showing up, and higher moisture corn might be a concern due to corn that has yet to reach black layer, it said.
In the latest update of his crop hotline, Real Agriculture agronomist Peter Johnson also weighed in, noting that some newly harvested loads of 2023 Ontario corn have been outright rejected at ethanol plants because of gibberella ear rot.
The following are comments from GFO agronomists:
Corn
Corn has been lucky to have an extended fall season without much if any, heavy frosts to shut the plant down. Some fields have black layered, others are close to, and with the extended frost-free season, have really had a chance to sink starch into the kernels. However, if the plant should die and black layer has not been reached, it can affect test weight. If black layer is not reached before the plant shuts down, the moisture of the kernel could be high. Black layer indicates a rough moisture of 32 per cent and will decrease from there based on good drying days. Some corn not quite at black layer could lead to some wet corn at harvest.
Ear rots are beginning to show up in fields with conducive environments (high moisture environment, tight husks, etc). Some ear rots can be the cause of mycotoxins; thus, it is important to be able to identify which ear rots are being found in the field. Harvest infected fields early and segregate the grain.
Soybeans
The soybean harvest has remained stop-and-go this past week. However, it is close to wrapping up with 60 to 90 percent complete. White mould is still causing some harvest woes, with decreased yields, in various regions. Cereals
Wheat:
Winter wheat continues to be planted as conditions allow.
Source : Syngenta.ca