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: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
FARMSMART PRESENTS – ZONESMART “A SITE SPECIFIC CROP MANAGEMENT FIELD DAY”
A day dedicated to understanding the “Pillars” of Management Zone Creation and Use. This field day will focus on how we collect data under 4 site-specific pillars: Yield, Elevation, Soil and Remote Sensing and used to create stable high resolution management zones, as the basis for agronomic recommendations to optimize crop inputs across the landscape. Trade show and afternoon sessions will profile the tools usedat the stations in the morning.
Additional information, updated programs, and registration available on the FarmSmart website, www.farmsmartconference.com or call 1-877-424-1300. Pre-registration only, closing Sept. 8.
SOW-THISTLE
by John Benham, Weed Inspector
This time we are writing about Sow-thistles – in particular the two that are on the “Noxious Weed List”. There are several Sow-thistles and a few plants that are somewhat similar. When injured they exude a sticky white juice. The flowers are yellow and similar to a dandelion but much taller.
Perennial Sow-thistle is a perennial, reproducing by seed and from an extensive underground root system. So if you pull it out of the ground you will have a 4 to 6-inch root that has broken off with sticky white juice in the wound. If it is in bud or flower, it will have sticky hair structures on the stem near the flowers. The leaf shape varies; often reminding you of a dandelion but each lobe usually ends in a weak prickle.
Annual Sow-thistle is an annual with a tapering taproot, reproducing only by seed. The leaf has deep lobes and ends in a triangular lobe. Upper leaves clasp the stem with two pointed lobes.
Spiny Annual Sow-thistle is very similar to Annual but differing in leaf shape, with the margins having moderately spiny teeth. The most distinguishing characteristic is the prominent round lobe on each side of the stem where the leaf is attached. When viewed from the side it may remind you of an ear.
It is easy to confuse Prickly Lettuce with the Sow-thistles but it is a biennial reproducing by seed. Its most distinguishing characteristics are leaves that are twisted so they are oriented vertically and often pointing north and south with small but robust spines on the mid rib. The yellow flowers are small and very numerous.
Sow-thistles in the past were a serious problem. With the advent of larger tractors and improved tillage techniques, this weed was in remission. Lately with the changes to no-till and less use of herbicides, these yellow flowers are again gaining in numbers. So don’t forget Annual, Spiny Annual and Perennial Sow-thistle are Noxious Weeds that need to be destroyed because of their invasive and competitive characteristics.
