A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 5pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
THE ULTIMATE OPPORTUNITY – PLANT WHEAT! by Peter Johnson, OMAFRA, Stratford
Harvest is early. The window of opportunity for early planted winter wheat has never been bigger or better. Early planted wheat means high yield potential. What are the management “musts” to maximize the probability of high yields?
1. Plant Wheat. – Prices are high, straw is in high demand, and the rotational benefits have never been more evident. Add to this the double crop opportunities of oats for forage after harvest, a place to spread manure, and more acres with the same equipment.
2. Seeding Rates – Wheat planted early yields more, with less disease, at lower seeding rates. Talk about a win-win. Pay less for seed and get more yield. Do not seed more than 1.2 million seeds per acre if you are 10 days or more ahead of normal. If you are really early, 1.0 million seeds/ac is more than enough.
3. Seed Treatments – Early planted wheat is at higher risk for Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, which is spread by aphids. While this is rarely a problem in Ontario, extra early seeded wheat is at higher risk. Consider a seed applied insecticide (Cruiser, Stress Shield) to control aphids if planting is extremely early (or if European Chafer is an issue). Early planted wheat is also at higher risk for snow mould injury. The new seed treatment “Sedaxane” (included in Vibrance XL) is reported to have increased control of snow mould, so inclusion of this active may prove beneficial. Note that there is no Ontario data to date supporting this claim. Difenoconazole (included in Dividend XL RTA and Vibrance XL) is always a must on all winter wheat seed in Ontario, to control soil borne dwarf bunt.
4. No Fall Nitrogen or Sulphur. – Our research in Ontario has found absolutely no benefit to fall nitrogen or sulphur. Fall nitrogen is simply throwing money away, and causing an environmental risk. Fall sulphur (elemental or in MESZ) has added cost with no yield benefit. Fall phosphorus pays, fall N and S do not.
5. Rotation – The best rotation? Wheat after peas, canola, and edible beans. It will be extremely tempting to plant wheat following silage corn, hay or pasture. Remember the risks.
– Fusarium is at maximum risk after any type of corn, silage or grain. If you must plant after silage, plant a Moderately Resistant variety and plan to spray a fusarium fungicide.
– Take-All risk in wheat increases significantly following grassy hay or pasture. Try not to plant too early, and seed place 50 lbs/ac of muriate of potash (0-0-60). The chloride in the potash will offer some Take-All suppression (40%).
6. Basic Management Applies – You cannot have MEGA wheat yields if you don’t do the basic things right.
– seeding depth at a minimum of 2.5 cm (1 inch), but into moisture (unless over 7.5 cm or 3 inches), – seed placed starter fertilizer, – fall weed control, – tile drainage – all those things that normally work still apply to early seeded wheat.
7. Plant wheat. – Wheat helps drought proof your rotation, spreads the workload, and offers excellent opportunities to control weeds that otherwise escape. And wheat makes money.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
Several farmers have already signed up for the next EFP two day workshop to be held in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room on Wednesday, Nov. 14 and to be completed on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Farmers are realizing their EFP workbook may have expired and are taking advantage of this opportunity to renew the workbook for five years. Your workbook must be up to date to qualify for cost share opportunities. Call John at 519-846-3394 for more information or email: wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
In talking to a large number of farm operators, it has become evident to me that farmers must recognize that they are running a business. Successful farms are run as a business. Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshops helps farm operators learn how to run their farm as a business. The next two day GYFP workshop will be held in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room on Tuesday, Nov. 6 and Tuesday, Nov. 13. If you have questions, contact Liz at 519-638-3268 or sign up at: http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org.
COMING EVENTS
Oct. 5-8 – Erin Fall Fair, Erin. For more information, check the website: www.erinfair.ca/.
Oct. 16-17 – 2012 Leading Edge Summit – Hockley Valley Resort, Orangeville – Building Bold Leaders to Recharge Our Rural Communities: Tools and techniques for energizing and mobilizing participation. Over two days – will explore tools and techniques for moving beyond familiar ways of leading and working together to energize and mobilize participation to create meaningful, powerful solutions that will transform ourselves, our organizations and our communities. More information: http://www.stepstoleadership.ca/steps-to-leadership-programs/leading-edge-summit.aspx.
Oct. 24-26 – Dairy Cattle Welfare Symposium, Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre, Guelph, Ontario. Check the website: www.dairycattlewelfaresymposium.ca.
Oct. 25 – OMAFRA’s “Good Agriculture Practices” Webinar Series: Preparing for an On-Farm Food Safety Audit, 12pm / noon. Interpret what to expect from an audit, the general requirements of a food safety program, and applying the tools needed for a successful audit. Webinar details/ registration at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/foodsafety/producers/webinars.htm.
