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.
DRY EDIBLE BEAN SEASONAL SUMMARY
The total amount of dry edible bean acres was higher in 2017 than in 2016. The number of insured acres of white beans in 2017 was 60,363 ac, up significantly from 46,194 ac planted in 2016. Coloured bean acres, however, were down overall, totaling 56,518 ac in 2017 compared to 60,668 ac planted in 2016. Acreage was reduced in each of the individual coloured bean market classes except cranberry beans, which increased from 9,799 ac in 2016 to 13,196 ac in 2017. In total, there were 116,881 ac of dry edible beans in Ontario under crop insurance.
Weeds, insects and diseases
Weed control appeared to be normal to good in 2017, although excessive moisture in some places may have reduced the length of residual activity of herbicides. Variable weather conditions also made it a challenge to apply post-emergence herbicides at the appropriate time. The prolonged wet conditions later in the season resulted in some weeds germinating later, beyond the window for herbicide application.
Diseases of dry beans were more prevalent in 2017 than the previous season due to favourable weather conditions. Anthracnose was present in a number of fields across the province, but fungicides were generally applied at the appropriate timing to prevent significant bean quality issues. White mould pressure was very high because of prolonged wet conditions, and many growers opted to apply fungicides twice to protect the crop. It is difficult to estimate the yield impact of white mould in 2017, but pod and seed abortion were observed in individual fields where white mould was present.
Leafhoppers typically thrive in dry conditions, but in spite of the wet year they were observed at threshold levels in late June. Insecticide seed treatments provide early season leafhopper control, but at this later stage foliar insecticide applications were warranted and many fields were sprayed to control populations at threshold. In addition, tarnish plant bugs were observed at threshold and sprayed in some fields, particularly in adzuki beans.
Western Bean Cutworm (WBC) continues to pose a significant risk to dry edible beans in Ontario, and proves to be a significant challenge to manage. It is recommended that edible bean growers have two WBC traps in each field, and begin scouting for pod damage once 50 moths are trapped. Current recommendations are to spray when pod feeding is observed. Larvae typically begin feeding 10 to 21 days after peak flight, and feed for about 30 days. They hide in the soil during the day and feed on new pods each night so registered foliar insecticides should only be applied when pods are present, and good coverage of pods should provide effective control of actively feeding larvae.
It is extremely difficult to find WBC egg masses or larvae in dry bean fields. It can also be difficult to determine the extent of pod feeding under the leaves of the crop.
Quality and yield
Harvest was delayed this year because of late planting and rain at the end of the season. Very few beans were delivered in August, and by mid-September it was estimated that fewer than 10% of acres had been harvested in most regions. Late September and early October were quite warm; many acres were harvested and a large percentage of acres were desiccated during this time. Harvest continued well into October across many bean growing regions. Late harvested beans had high moisture, but most edible beans came off at average to dry moisture levels. Some dealers reported high cracked seed levels in white beans, but overall cracks and splits appear to be average.
Edible bean yields were average to above average. Cranberry bean yields were reported to be high on many acres, and some edible bean acres in Middlesex yielded more than soybeans. There are reports of poor black bean yields, which are likely related to accounts of poor black bean emergence.
For the full article visit fieldcropNews.com/2017/12/dry-edible-bean-seasonal-summary.
by Meghan Moran, canola and edible bean specialist
COMING EVENTS
Jan. 16 – Heavy Rains, Healthy Soils Workshop – St. Jacobs Lions Hall, 31 Parkside Drive, St. Jacobs. To register, email ruralwater@grandriver.ca or call Anne Loeffler at 1-866-900-4722 x2242.
Jan. 19 – NutrientSmart 2018 – RIM Park, Manulife Financial Sportsplex – 2001 University Ave. East, Waterloo. Visit farmsmartconference.com for more information and to register or call the AICC Centre 1-877-424-1300.
Jan. 20 – FarmSmart 2018 – Rozanski Hall at the University of Guelph. Visit farmsmartconference.com for more information and to register or call the AICC Centre 1-877-424-1300.
