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.
SOYBEANS
by Horst Bohner, Soybean Specialist, OMAF and MRA, Stratford
Soybean harvest started although most fields still need another 7-14 days to dry down. Leaf drop is progressing quickly. Yield reports so far have been variable, ranging from 30 to 60 bu/ac. Harvest losses and mechanical damage may be high when moisture drops below 12%. A loss of just 4 beans per square foot equals 1 bu/ac.
The vast majority of fields are now mature enough that a frost will not impact yield. Frost damage during the first half of September in northern areas has lowered yield potential in those fields affected. If soybean yields are well below expectations without any obvious cause send a soil sample to a lab to check for soybean cyst nematode (SCN). This information will help in future management strategies. Counties that have not traditionally experienced SCN pressure are starting to see large yield reductions from SCN. A soil survey conducted this year by the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association has shown that a significant number of fields in Huron County have SCN pressure and this is likely to be true in other non traditional SCN areas as well.
FORAGE AND PASTURE
by Joel Bagg, Forage Specialist, OMAF and MRA, Lindsay
ALFALFA: If there is an immediate need for forage, you can reduce but not eliminate the risk of alfalfa winterkill due to harvesting during the Critical Fall Harvest Period by cutting close to the expected “killing frost” (approximately -4°C or 25°F for a few hours). Minimal root reserves will be used by the alfalfa following this killing frost.
Be aware that after a frost the feed value of alfalfa declines quickly due to leaf loss and nutrient leaching. Leaving at least 6 inches of stubble will help trap snow to insulate the alfalfa crowns during cold weather and help prevent freezing and frost heaving. Stubble will also protrude through winter ice sheeting, should that occur and prevents the ice sheet from smothering the alfalfa. Heavy stands of grasses or red clover left unharvested can sometimes smother over the winter because the top growth forms a dense mat. In contrast, alfalfa loses most of its leaves as soon as there is a hard frost, and the remaining stems seldom pose any risk of smothering. Further details on fall harvest of alfalfa can be found in Taking That Fall Cutting of Alfalfa at http://fieldcropNews.com/?p=5098
by Jack Kyle,
Grazier Specialist, OMAF and MRA, Lindsay
PASTURE: When grazing fall pastures leave more/higher/extra residual plant material in the field. During September and early October plants are preparing for winter by storing energy reserves in the roots or in the case of grasses the base of their stems. Leave 6 inches (15 cm) of residual forage height in your pastures at this time.
Be extra careful on any alfalfa based pastures as frosted alfalfa has an increased risk of causing bloat until the frosted leaves have dried. The following link has info on managing bloat. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/beef/News/info_vbn0713a2.htm.
by Peter Johnson
Cereals Specialist, OMAF and MRA, Stratford
CEREALS: Winter cereal seeding continues as harvest allows. Growers seeding wheat after hay should add 50 lbs/ac KCl (0-0-60, potash) with the wheat seed. Chloride in the potash affords some suppression of Take-All, a disease which can cause significant yield loss when wheat follows hay.
Target a uniform seeding depth of 3 cm (1-1.25”) where soil moisture is adequate. Early wheat benefits most from shallower seeding depths, allowing quicker emergence and more rapid root development to anchor plants and protect from frost heave next spring. As planting dates move into late October, seeding depths should move slightly deeper to provide soil as “insulation” to protect against cold injury and frost heave.
COMING EVENTS
Nov. 1 to 10 – Royal Winter Fair, Toronto. For more information visit: www.royalfair.org
Nov. 7 to 9 – 19th Dairy Sheep Symposium at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre, 700 Hespeler Road, Cambridge. To register please call the OSMA office at 519-836-0043 or email admin@ontariosheep.org. Please check the website at: www.dsana.org for more detailed information.
Nov. 12 – Sheep Seminar: Ewe got a Plan B, Elma Memorial Community Centre, Atwood from 8:45 am – 4:00 pm. For further information call 1-877-424-1300 or email ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
