June 1, 2004

 

 

Wet Conditions Delay Soybean Seeding In Canadian State 

 

Wet conditions continued to delay the planting of the soybean crop in Ontario during the week ended May 26, according to the latest update from the Canadian provincial government. Seeding and development of the other crops in the province have also been impacted by the wet conditions.

 

Seeding of the soybean crop in Ontario was pegged at only 10% to 30% finished because of excessively wet conditions, the report said. Switching to earlier maturing varieties of soybeans has not occurred yet, but producers were giving this prospect some consideration.

 

Producers were cautioned by Ontario Agriculture that there is an increased risk of soil crusting where soybeans have been planted into wet soils, or where heavy rains have occurred. The report said that it may be necessary to break up the soil surface with light tillage to aid soybean emergence.

 

Corn planting completion varies widely across the province, according to the report. Seeding of the corn crop was 95% complete in eastern Ontario while only 30% of the intended acreage was in the ground in the heavy clays in the southwestern and Niagara regions of the province.

 

Wet conditions have reduced spring grain acreage by up to 30% in some areas, the report said. Early seeded fields were reported to be at the first node stage of development while the bulk was at the late-tillering to leaf- erect stage.

 

Some yellowing of the spring cereals was evident in poorly drained fields, the report said.

 

Winter wheat development was said to be seven to 10 days ahead of normal, with early fields heading in southwestern Ontario, according to the report. Disease is progressing rapidly up the canopy in some fields, with powdery mildew at threshold levels on the flag leaf. Septoria remains at low to moderate levels.

 

Winter canola was at the full-bloom to early-pod fill stage of development, the report said. Cabbage seedpod weevil populations were seen high with many fields being sprayed for control.

 

Wet conditions in the province have delayed planting of spring canola, the report said. Less than 50% of the crop has been planted.

 

Some fields of early-planted canola were quickly closing canopy and in need of immediate weed control.

 

Forage stands in Ontario were lush with the recent heavy rains. Many fields were showing 50 cm (20 inches) of growth. In the southwest, orchard grass is heading and alfalfa is at the bud stage.

 

Pasture growth in the province was seen as rapid, although it could use some heat.