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 4:30pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
Summer seeding
Forage yields have been quite variable across the province. Some areas have excess hay, while others are still rebuilding inventories. Quality is generally good. The weatherman got it wrong the weekend of July 19 and considerable acres of hay were cut and rain-damaged.
Summer seeding alfalfa
Summer seeding alfalfa-grass mixtures can be a good way to establish new fields so that full season yields can be harvested the following year. The challenge following wheat is getting the volunteer wheat controlled and the new seeding done in a timely manner. Competition from volunteer wheat can be a significant problem. One approach is to do some light tillage to encourage the grain to germinate, followed by a burn down with glyphosate seven to 10 days later.
Alfalfa needs at least six weeks of growth after germination to develop a crown before a killing frost to survive the winter. Recommended summer seeding dates in areas > 2,900 corn heat units (CHU) areas is Aug. 10 to 20 and 2,500 – 2,900 CHU areas is Aug. 1 to 10. Summer seeding works best on light to medium textured, well-drained soils. Lack of moisture for timely germination and growth can be a significant risk.
If soil conditions are extremely dry and no rain is in the forecast, plans for summer seeding should be abandoned.
Conserving soil moisture is critical, so use as little tillage as possible to create a fine, firm seedbed, drill the seed rather than broadcasting it, and follow with a press wheel or packer to ensure good seed-soil contact. Do not use companion crops with summer seedings, as they compete for available soil moisture and reduce stand establishment. Seeding alfalfa after alfalfa is not recommended because of auto toxicity and disease.
Summer seeding oats for double-crop forage
Seeding oats in early-August following wheat for an early-October harvest can be a useful double-crop, low-cost option for producing additional forage supplies. Oats can make excellent feed when harvested at the correct stage of maturity and made into “oatlage” or baleage. Peas can be added where higher forage quality is required. The challenges can sometimes be lack of adequate moisture in August for germination and growth, and having dry enough weather in October for adequate wilting.
Sulphur on alfalfa
There are more situations occurring where there is a yield increase by applying sulphur (S) to alfalfa. The response in field trials is sometimes quite dramatic, while in others there is no response. S deficiencies are more likely to occur on low organic matter soils, and soils that have not had a recent manure application. S deficient alfalfa plants will be spindly and light-green. S deficiencies can be diagnosed by tissue testing alfalfa at mid-bud to early-flower stage. Sample the top six inches of 30 to 40 stems and send them to a laboratory.
Coming events
Sept. 12 – 14: Fergus Fall Fair;
Sept. 12 – 14: Harriston Minto Fall Fair;
Sept. 16 – 20: International Plowing Match;
Sept. 19 – 21: Grand Valley Fall Fair;
Oct. 11 – 14: Erin Fall Fair;
Oct. 17 – 19: Walkerton Fall Fair;
Nov. 7 – 16: Royal Winter Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto.
