A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and the Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAF website: www.ontario.ca/omaf and/or the MRA website: www.ontario.ca/mra
TOO MUCH RAIN – WHAT ELSE IS NEW? – OMAF CROP REPORT – 07/11/13 – From the OMAF Field Crop Report
Forages: July continues to be frustrating for those trying to make quality hay. Many areas continue to have limited opportunities to make hay without rain damage or heating. We are in a unique situation where there are considerable amounts of both 1st stand 2nd-cut being made when weather conditions are suitable. Supplies of “horse quality” (green, no mould) 1st-cut hay made without rain damage is quite limited in many parts of the province. Prices for quality hay are generally strong and holding steady, but prices for poorer quality hay may be declining.
Some hay that was baled at too high a moisture is heating, so be sure to monitor storages. Heating occurs from the rapid growth and respiration of mould and bacteria, producing even more moisture. If the moisture and heat cannot dissipate, high temperatures build-up and the process becomes self-sustaining. Even low amounts of heating can result in dusty hay with reduced feed quality and palatability. If severe, heating can result in a barn fire. The critical time for spontaneous combustion is usually 2 to 3 weeks after the hay is put in storage. If you detect a slight caramel odour, or a distinct musty smell, chances are you have a problem. Probe-type hand-held electronic moisture testers are a useful tool to monitor hay heating. Keep in mind that moisture readings can be subject to variability and error, and testers should be calibrated to forage species, bale type, acid use and bale density. Hay bale temperatures 2 – 3 days after baling as hay “sweats” will often be 10°F above what the ambient temperature was at the time of baling. Temperatures above 49ºC (120ºF) indicate that there is some microbial activity that may be a problem. Refer to “Silo and Hay Mow Fires” at www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/93-025.htm. If a temperature probe is not available, insert a copper or metal pipe into the mow. If after an hour it is too hot to hold with bare hands, there is a severe problem. It is essential that hay storages have adequate ventilation to enable moisture to dissipate from bales. Tightly stacking bales should be avoided. The use of pallets prevents spoilage of the bottom row of bales.
Buffered propionate hay preservatives can assist in preventing mould when baling “tough” hay. Propionate is an organic acid that acts as a fungicide, inhibiting the growth of moulds while the bale dissipates moisture in storage. Follow product label directions and use the correct application rate according to the percent moisture of the hay. Be sure that there is adequate ventilation in the storage to allow moisture to dissipate from bales. Refer to “Preventing Mouldy Hay Using Propionic Acid” at www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/preventing.htm.
Pastures: Forage growth on pastures has been excellent with abundant moisture in most locations. Monitor your pastures and plan for the next couple of months. If a number of paddocks are mature, consider clipping or making hay on some of these paddocks, this will stimulate new growth for later grazing. Clipping weeds before seed set will also help control weeds in the pasture. Annuals crops, in particular oats, planted after wheat harvest can provide an early fall pasture or stored forage.
Soybeans: Soybean fields are now flowering (R1 growth stage). Late planted fields and replanted fields are still in the vegetative growth stages. Excess water continues to be a problem in many areas resulting in tile run soybean, root rots, and pale crops. Some double cropping is underway in harvested pea fields or after first cut hay. In Southwestern Ontario a 20-30 bu/ac crop is achievable if planting was completed by July 1st and the fall remains open. Double cropping after July 15th has little chance of economic success unless the weather is exceptional. There is no crop insurance for double crop soybeans.
If beans show yellowing between the leaf veins but the veins remain dark green, they are suffering from manganese (Mn) deficiency. Ontario research has shown that for fields with a history of Mn deficiency a foliar application of Mn can provide 4 bu/ac. Yield increases are only evident if a true Mn deficiency is present. Applying Mn to either conventional or glyphosate tolerant varieties that show no symptoms will not provide a yield benefit. Ideally, Mn should not be mixed with glyphosate because it reduces the efficacy of both the glyphosate and the Mn.
Soybean aphids have been found across a wide geography. The vast majority of fields have very low numbers with just a few aphids per plant or none at all. A few fields in eastern Ontario have reached thresholds. If 80% of the field has more than 250 aphids per plant, the field has reached threshold. Populations may increase or decline quickly within a field, so once aphids have been found, regular scouting will be necessary. Do not spray too early. Insecticides also eliminate aphid predators, which can lead to a quick rebound in aphid numbers. If this occurs, subsequent spray applications may be required.
COMING EVENTS:
Aug. 6 Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at OMAF and MRA Elora at 7:30 p.m. For information, contact Lisa Hern at: 519-848-3774 or email: jplh@golden.net.
Aug. 9 – 11 Drayton Fall Fair. For information call: 519-638-2950.
Aug. 17 Calf Show – Grand River Raceway, Elora. For information call: 519-846-8879.
Aug. 19 and 20 Central Ontario Junior Holstein Show – Grand River Raceway, Elora.
Aug. 1 North American Manure Expo – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., University of Guelph, Arkell Research Station – Arkell, Ontario. (Tour August 20th, 2013 – North Wellington area). Contact: Christine Brown at: christine.brown1@ontario.ca or http://www.manureexpo2013.com.
