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: 8:30am to 5pm.
For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAF and MRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
SOIL MANAGEMENT
Adam Hayes, Soil Management Specialist – AgriLink
Now is an excellent time to plant a cover crop following a cereal crop. Cover crops can provide a number of benefits from improving the soil and cycling nutrients to minimizing weeds and suppressing diseases. Before you plant consider what it is you want the cover crop to do. Seed may be sourced from a local seed supplier, a seed company or the bin. Before planting consider the fertility needs of the cover crop. Some cover crops such as spring cereals and radish require nitrogen to achieve good growth. Also consider timing of planting. The more time the cover crop has to grow the more benefit it will provide. If the cover crop is not planted until into September then a winter cereal may be a better choice as other cover crops will not provide much growth planted that late. Drilling or planting are the best options for establishment as it gets the seed in contact with moisture for a quicker start. And finally consider termination of the cover crop – how will the cover crop be controlled at the end of the season? A couple of options to consider are oats and oilseed radish (OSR) or cover crop radish (CCR) or oats, OSR or CCR and a clover such as crimson clover.
SERVICE SELECTED FOR RESEARCH OF EMERALD ASH BORER CONNECTS – OMAF and MRA
Two Ausable Bayfield properties, near Exeter, are the first sites in Canada to be chosen for new research into biological control of an invasive beetle species that is killing Ash trees. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) continues to spread across Ontario. Researchers from the Canadian Forest Service have selected two sites in the Hay Swamp area for their research into management of populations of the damaging insect.
The Emerald Ash Borer infests all native species of Ash. Native predators, parasites, and diseases have so far been unable to prevent infestation. The impact of Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in the Windsor-Detroit area in the early part of the 21st century. For more information, visit: www.abca.on.ca.
CORN – OMAF and MRA – Ontario Field Crop Report
Ground application rigs with belly boards and rad covers, helicopters, and airplanes can be found traversing the province applying VT (tassel) fungicides. Growers are focused on protecting yield potential and harvesting the highest yield possible. However, with an average 6 bu/ac yield increase and corn priced at $4.00/bu, the economics of these applications are very tight.
Pollination is the critical stage for determining yield of the corn crop. High photosynthetic rates during the pollination period are strongly correlated with final kernel number. Once grainfill is underway, the length of grainfill (days) and high solar radiation become the final factors determining yield (assuming ample moisture). Sunny, moderate days (25C) and warm nights will lengthen grainfill period and maximize photosynthesis. Hotter days speed development, but shorten grainfill period, thus high temperatures are not as beneficial as many producers assume.
Continue to scout for Western Bean Cutworm (WBC) in areas with a history of this insect. Egg mass numbers are high in some regions even with low moth trap catches. If 5% of plants have egg masses, spray when larvae are hatching and before they reach the cob. In many fields this will happen over the next 10 days.
COMING EVENTS:
Aug. 23 – 25 Palmerston Fall Fair. For information contact: 519-343-3427.
Aug. 24 Tractor Pull – Grand River Raceway, Elora.
Aug. 30 – Sept. 2 Orangeville Agricultural Fair. Call 519-942-9597 or refer to http://www.oaseventcentre.ca.
Aug. 31 – Sept. 2 Mount Forest Agricultural Fair. For information call: 519-323-2272.
Sept. 5 – 8 Arthur Fall Fair. Call: 519-848-3820 or refer to website: http://www.arthurfallfair.ca.
Sept. 5 – 8 South Waterloo (Cambridge) Fall Fair. For information call: 519-622-3247
Sept. 6 – 7 Aberfoyle Fall Fair. Call: 519-837-9288 or refer to http://www.aberfoyleagriculturalsociety.com/
Sept. 7 – 8 Stratford Garlic Festival: http://www.stratfordgarlicfestival.com/.
Sept. 10 – 12 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show: http://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/.
Sept. 13 – 14 Progressive Dairy Operators – Farm Show Activities and Mini-Bus Tour, Woodstock. For more information or to register check website at www.pdo-ontario.ca.
Sept. 13 – 15 Fergus Fall Fair. Call: 519-856-9621 or refer to http://www.fergusfallfair.ca.
Sept. 13 – 15 Harriston-Minto Fall Fair. For information contact: 519-338-3903.
Sept. 17 – 21 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, Perth County; website: http://www.ipm2013.org/.
Sept. 25 Forestry Twilight Tour – “Planning For Trees on the Farm” – 7 to 9 pm at R&R Poultry, 7649 Sideroad 6 East, Kenilworth, ON. Please RSVP to: Mark Funk at the GRCA: 1-866- 900-4722 Extension 2259 or e-mail mfunk@grandriver.ca.
Sept. 25 Shakespeare Swine Seminar, Shakespeare, ON. For more information contact: Mary at the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-3392.
