Ontario Grain Farmer December 2023 / January 2024

Agronomy

Laura Ferrier

A year in review GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO AGRONOMIST WEIGHS IN

LIKE MOST YEARS , it has been a year of ups and downs: temperature, moisture, and, in some cases, disease. Heavy rains and snow across much of the province at the start of spring caused a slight delay in planting. Some had taken a risk and planted in a warm stretch of weather in April, while more held out until May rolled around. Whether fields were planted in either month, some farmers had a humbling experience (myself included) when soybean replants happened due to a particularly cold week in May, which affected emergence. Overall, conditions were cool, and emergence

for all crops this spring was on the slow side of things; in fact, much of the growing season was behind the historical average for crop heat units (CHUs) due to cool conditions, smoke-filled skies, or as many experienced in August, a rain tap that just would not shut off, and with it very cloudy skies. As mid to late spring rolled around, crop progress was very staggered, with some crops just getting planted and others progressing well. There was also a great concern about when the next rainfall would arrive; when conditions finally allowed for acres to be planted, there was little moisture

in the forecast, and it remained this way for several weeks.

WINTER CEREALS Winter cereals in the fall of 2022 were planted inamazing conditions and, with an open fall, had great growth before winter set in. They looked exceptional at the start of spring, but as the year stretched towards summer, there was some concern over heat stress during the flowering period. Low moisture also helped ease fears of fusarium infection. After flowering, the weather turned cooler, allowing for an extended grain fill period. Many reported exceptional yields, with many past yield records broken. As summer arrived, there were timely rains, which helped the crops progress. However, those timely rains turned into rain that would not stop! Some areas received numerous inches daily, causing waterlogged soils, root rots, and disease. And at the same time, other areas were screaming for rain. WATERLOGGED SOILS Soybeans were impacted by phytophthora root rot on heavier and waterlogged soils. Extended moisture over the flowering period also led to occurrences of white mould in fields. Fungicides were sprayed across many acres to protect the crop, but with so much moisture, it was difficult to protect the entire flowering period. Some did apply a second pass of fungicide; however, only limited acres. Due to the early June drought and then excessive rains, stress in the corn appeared as uneven fields that showed soil structure variability. Regions with continual rainfall had ideal conditions for disease development with the excessive leaf wetness and humidity this season. Grey leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight and tar spot began showing up in mid-July. Fungicide applications around pollination were sprayed on some acres to protect plant health. Fungicides were

SUMMER OF 2023 SAW TIMELY RAINS IN SOME AREAS TURN INTO THE RAIN THAT WOULD NOT STOP.

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