May 10, 2012

Ontario's rapeseed crop completes 70% planting

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' field crop update for the week ended May 2 stated that planting of Ontario's rapeseed crop was roughly 70% complete in the southern regions of the province.

Freezing overnight temperatures, meanwhile, have kept most growers in northern areas of the province out of the field.

The cold temperatures were delaying emergence, with early planted rapeseed taking 14-21 days to emerge, the report said.

In terms of soy, about 5% of the intended provincial acreage has been planted. Once fields dry, planting will start in earnest, the report said.

Corn planting was 20-90% complete depending on the area of the province, the report said. Some of the early planted corn has emerged and the cold temperatures of late April froze the above ground tissue. However, to date, growing point and seed integrity remains high in the early planted corn, the report said.

Freeze injury was a significant concern in the winter cereal crop with the very low temperatures of late April. Leaf damage was significant in most fields, but it was head damage that was critical, the report said.

Disease pressure in the winter cereals remains low in many fields, with powdery mildew just beginning to show.

Spring cereals appear to have tolerated the snow and cold temperatures well. Moisture was welcomed on fields planted shallow or overworked with dry soil, the report said.

Some frost damage to alfalfa occurred in late-April, mostly in areas in Southwest Ontario. Some of these fields were also frost damaged in late-March. Re-growth of these fields will likely occur, but maturity will be delayed and yields reduced.

Pasture growth continues to be modest with cool temperatures and limited moisture, the report said.