September 21, 2006

Soybean and corn harvests delayed in Canada's Ontario

Recent rainfall in the Canadian province of Ontario has caused some delays to the early soybean harvest, although most fields still need some time to develop, said provincial sources.

The corn harvest is also a couple of weeks away, although expectations are for an above-average crop.

Off-and-on rain showers over the past seven days limited field activity in Ontario, said Horst Bohner, a soybean specialist with Ontario Agriculture.

Bohner said earlier planted soybeans were mature and just needed to dry, although only a handful of soybean fields have been harvested. He said 50 percent to 70 percent of the soybeans in Ontario still had green leaves as of Sep 19 and will need at least another two weeks of time to develop. However, additional rains would push the bulk of the harvest further back.

Bohner said a few pockets of the province were too wet, while others were too dry, "but the majority of the province looks good."

Ontario's corn crop is also in good shape, according to Ontario Agriculture corn specialist Greg Stewart. While he didn't think production would match last year's record, Stewart said "we are fairly confident that we have an above-average crop."

Stewart thought the grain corn harvest was at least two weeks away in most areas, especially as the many farmers still have their soybeans to deal with.

While recent wet, cloudy weather has caused some delays in some soybean fields and edible beans, Stewart said there was no adverse effect on corn.