Summer of Extremes for Ontario Crops

We’re only two weeks into summer, and it is proving to be the summer of extremes across the province, according to OMAFRA’s weekly crop update released Thursday.

Some parts of the province are waterlogged, and others are screaming for rain. Spring-seeded crops are progressing rapidly with the recent heat; winter wheat harvest will be starting as soon as some fields dry down.

Corn

There were some extreme rainfall amounts in the southwest area of the province this past weekend, with some areas receiving upwards of six inches over a couple of days, creating massive amounts of flooding. Crops are waterlogged, meaning the disease triangle has been well set up for future disease development.

Crop heat units (CHUs) are still behind in some areas, but this week of warm temperatures during the day AND at night will help accumulate CHUs, bringing CHU accumulation closer to average, opined OMAFRA.

Soybeans

Soybeans across the province are starting to flower, with some areas in full bloom. Pay attention to waterlogged areas as signs of wet roots may show up over the coming week as the bottom leaves turn yellow or soybeans die. Given recent weather, expect disease pressure to increase significantly in a short time frame.

Winter wheat

Winter wheat fields are staging anywhere from milk to ripe, with some issues with armyworm continuing to be reported.

Winter wheat harvest will begin soon, as fields in the southwest are turning gold in colour. Warm, dry weather will help ripen the grain. The heavy rains experienced on the weekend did cause some lodged wheat.