Author: Brendan Louwagie, Agronomist
As we move further into the spring planting season across Ontario, weather conditions continue to create both opportunities and challenges in the field. Cool temperatures, scattered rainfall, and lingering impacts from extended wet conditions earlier this spring are influencing crop staging, application timing, and stand health across several crops.
Below is this week’s field update highlighting current observations and considerations from across the province.
Winter Wheat
Fields north of London are now entering the PGR application staging window. Nighttime temperatures are complicating application plans, particularly where heavier tank mixes are being considered. Growers will need to prioritize applications, whether herbicide, fungicide, PGR, and/or foliar nutrition, and reduce tank mixes to one or two products to ensure safe applications under current conditions.
Disease pressure remains very low, with only isolated reports of powdery mildew and no signs of stripe rust to date. Given current disease levels, fungicide applications may be best reserved for T2 timing. PGR decisions should continue to be based on variety, stand health, nitrogen rate, and field history.
Most nitrogen applications have now been completed, although some split applications are still pending. Fields that received early sulphur applications continue to stand out visually. Applying sulphur early, even on frost, while holding back the majority of nitrogen until later timing, appears to be performing well this season.
Winterkill and spring injury varied considerably across the province. Areas that experienced prolonged snow cover followed by unusually wet conditions in April have seen drown-out areas and stand damage. Later planted wheat fields were generally impacted more than fields planted on time, reinforcing the importance of timely planting.
Winter Canola
Winter canola fields in southern Ontario are beginning to flower, while fields north of London are currently in the bud stage. Fungicide timing is quickly approaching. Avoid tank-mixing a Group 1 herbicide at this stage, as there is significant risk for crop injury. Weed control applications should already be completed.
Winter canola acreage in Ontario is now estimated at 22,000 to 25,000 acres. Growers planning for summer seeding should note that the seed order deadline to guarantee availability is June 15.
Corn
Corn planting progress is estimated at 3 to 5% complete north of London, with somewhat greater progress further south. While some growers have started planting over the past several days, many are still focused on field preparation and are waiting for warmer soil conditions before fully ramping up planting.
Scattered showers have interrupted field work at times, although delays have generally been short-lived.
Soybeans
Only a limited number of soybean acres have been planted so far. Extra care should be taken when handling soybean seed this spring. Much of the seed crop was harvested under very dry conditions, resulting in seed that appears more fragile than normal. Avoid augers where possible and minimize unnecessary seed transfers to reduce mechanical damage.
Germination concerns have been reported in some seed lots, with abnormal seedlings appearing more frequently than outright dead seed. This likely points to lower seed vigour compared to recent years. Planting into good soil conditions with a favourable forecast will be especially important this spring. Maintaining adequate seeding rates is also recommended, as this may not be the year to push ultra-low populations or test the limits of seedling vigour.
Sulphur applications continue to show fairly consistent responses on lighter-textured soils. More work is still needed across additional soil types, although positive responses are being observed in some situations there as well.
Weed Control
Both burndown and in-crop herbicide activity has been slower than normal due to cool weather conditions. While performance may appear delayed, products are still expected to work as temperatures improve.
Soil Sampling
Soil sampling services and laboratories are reporting a significant increase in demand this spring as growers evaluate opportunities to manage costs and optimize input decisions. A current soil test remains the best starting point for making informed fertility decisions.
Forage Crops
Alfalfa stands in Grey and Bruce counties experienced notable stress this spring, largely due to the prolonged wet conditions throughout April, with snow cover also contributing in some areas. Triticale is also struggling in certain regions, with noticeable varietal differences in tolerance to snow mold becoming apparent.
