May 26, 2004

Canada¡¯s Ontario Soybean Seeding Slowed By Weather

Scattered shower activity slowed the seeding of Ontario's soybean crop during the week ended May 19, according to the latest update from the provincial government. Planting of Ontario's corn crop was seen as being 50% complete.

Weather conditions permitted the seeding of the soybean crop in some isolated locations, but in others, seeding will be significantly delayed due to excess moisture, the report said.

There has not been a lot of concern expressed about the delays to date, although if planting goes beyond June 15, the crop may not have access to the heat units it requires, the report said.

Wet weather also slowed the planting of Ontario's corn crop with an estimated 50% of the intended acreage currently sown. Early planted fields are at or beyond the two-leaf stage of development with emergence said to be good.

Winter wheat was mostly in the second-node to flag-leaf stage, although there were a few regions in which the crop was already beginning to head, the report said.

Winter wheat crops hit by frost in late April or early May have rebounded rapidly, the report said.

Cool spring weather, meanwhile, has slowed the growth and development of forage crops, the report said.

Forage producers were being cautioned to begin scouting fields for alfalfa weevil.