June 15, 2009

The corn crop in the province of Ontario has been growing well, but could use some warmer readings in order to enhance development, according to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs department's field crop update for the week ended June 11.

Early seeded corn is at the 6 to 7 leaf stage of development, but the majority of the crop is in the 4 to 5 leaf stage. Side-dressing nitrogen is now well underway in most areas, the report said.

Although much of the soy emergence in Ontario has been good, the crop has been slow to develop given the prolonged period of cooler air and soil temperatures. Soy will start more vigorous growth once night temperatures climb above 15 degrees Celsius, the report said.

Most spring cereals were in the second node stage of development. Cool weather continues to keep leaf disease pressure very low.

Aphid populations in spring cereals were above threshold levels in isolated parts of Ontario, the report said.

Most of Ontario's canola crop appears in good shape, with the majority of crop in the 1 to 3 leaf stage of growth, the report said. Flea beetle populations have generally been kept in check by seed treatments.

Edible bean planting in Ontario was 75 percent complete as of June 10. Early planted beans were emerging, although some fields were having issues because of heavy soil types and soil crusting.

Most of Ontario's winter wheat fields were flowering and past the stage for fusarium control applications. Fusarium risk has been very low to date due to cold night temperatures and dry conditions. Leaf disease levels also remain low.

Haylage and quality hay making are in full swing in some areas when weather permits, but is generally behind normal calendar dates, the report said. Cool weather has greatly delayed maturity of alfalfa growth relative to the grasses. Many areas are reporting below average yields, particularly where winterkill was significant.