Field Observations
SPRING 2025
May 8, 2025
Overall, there was a tremendous amount of progress over the past two weeks for spring planting, with spring cereals, corn, and soybeans all hitting the soil within days of each other, all within an early planting window. However, rains moved across the province, slowing planting progress.
Corn
A large number of acres have been planted early this spring, with roughly five to 70 percent planted depending on the region. There has been less planting in areas that were busy spreading manure, planting spring cereals, or waiting for ground conditions to dry and warm up. There are still many acres to go, and patience is still key. In the middle of May 2020, we saw the ground get quite hard after planting, as heavy rains and snowfall chilled the seed and firmed the soil around the seed. As of now, we have not had that hard, pounding rain that causes the soil to become compacted, but the month of May is not foreign to cool temperatures, frost, and snow in some years.
Corn typically takes 180 crop heat units (CHU) before emergence, depending on planting depth. For seed that was planted at the end of April, they have received 65 crop heat units (CHUs), in Ridgetown (slightly below the 13-year average), with Elora at 36 CHU, also below the 55-year average, as of Tuesday, May 6, based on the previous 7 days. In Northern Ontario, corn is just beginning to be planted.
Soybeans
As thoughts turn to planting soybeans, be sure to take careful note of soybean varieties and the traits that are being planted, so there are no mistakes or confusion with the sprayer.
Cereals
Currently, winter wheat fields across the province are GS 31 (first node detectable) to GS 37 (flag leaf just visible). T2 fungicide application is approaching (GS 39- flag leaf collar visible) in early-planted fields in the more southern areas of the province. Herbicide applications need to cease by flag leaf, as not to cause head injury.
With wet weather that has been experienced the past few days be on the look out for wheat diseases; powdery mildew and septoria are two that can be common, especially in susceptible varieties. Be sure to monitor and take action with a fungicide, if warranted.
As of yet, stripe rust has not been reported in the province, but based on cool wet weather and storms, keep an eye on disease developments.
Spring cereals are still being planted in some areas and are just about to emerge in others. Warmer weather will help with emergence.
Weeds
It is time to get out and scout fields for weed pressure- the smaller the weed, the easier it is to control. Read more about herbicide-resistant weeds found in 2024, and be aware of what populations are found locally.
If you are trying to identify weeds or send pictures of plants for recommendations or guidance, taking a quality photo really helps. Doug Young at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus created a short video on the best ways to photograph weeds and crops.
Bluegrass has been a concern in winter wheat for being a yield robber and hard to control. Learn more about this weed here.
Agricorp
May 10 is the deadline to apply for or make changes to Agricorp coverage for Production Insurance, along with applying for or making changes to coverage for Risk Management Program: Grains & Oilseeds.
May 1, 2025
Unexpected sunny skies made for a very busy end of last week into the start of this one. Nitrogen applications were ongoing; fertilizer was spread on corn ground; spring grains were planted; and corn and some soybeans were being planted. As the calendar turns to May, there are some things to keep in mind.
Corn
Areas across the province are seeing five to 35 per cent of corn planted. It is still plenty early to be planting corn, and many have been waiting for soils to dry and warm up (especially with no-till systems) and/or cold weather to pass (some areas experienced temperatures below 0 °C overnight this week).
Planting into wet soils runs the risk of sidewall compaction (where planter openers smear on wet soil and create a wall of compaction that affects root growth and seed-to-soil contact), affecting germination and early-season root development. This is especially concerning should a drought-like situation occur over the coming weeks and months. Be sure that when the planter does get running, the seed is being placed into moisture, typically around 1.5 to two inches, for optimum nodal root development.
Cold temperatures affect the seed by slowing germination and emergence, allowing soil-borne insects to feed and affecting plant stand counts. Also, corn growth can be impacted and seen as “corkscrew corn” that doesn’t emerge properly. Many are waiting until after these cool temperatures this week and the expected rains. Soil temperatures overall have still been on the cooler side these past few days. An easy way to check soil temperatures is to use a temperature gauge and measure around two inches below the soil surface around 8 a.m. Ideal soil temperatures are around 10 °C, which is when corn germination begins.
Fertilizer and manure have been getting applied. Remember the 4Rs when applying- the right product, at the right rate, in the right place, and at the right time.
Soybeans
A small percentage of soybeans have been planted. Horst Bohner shares some valuable insights on planting soybeans early, based on Grain Farmers of Ontario research in this video.
Cereals
Spring cereals continue to be planted as weather and soil conditions allow.
The winter wheat crop is progressing well, with a large portion of the acreage having at least the first application of nitrogen (N) on currently, if completing a two-pass system.
Winter wheat in the southwest has reached GS 31 (first node detectable), with some edging towards GS32 (2nd node detectable). The T1 fungicide application window in GS 30 to 32, along with the start of the PGR application window, is for some PGRs (read last week’s notes for more on PGRs). If mixing multiple products in a tank mix, remember to watch temperatures (prior to, the day of, and after application, aiming for 3 °C the day before, the day of, and the day after) and read labels to ensure you are using the appropriate tank mix partners. As with all spraying, ensure you have rinsed the tank and lines out well when changing to a new product in the sprayer, especially if putting down a corn herbicide or other non-wheat products that will damage the crop.
View a past Grain Farmers of Ontario GrainTalk Webinar on managing winter wheat in the spring.
Crop Protection Hub
The spring season can be incredibly busy, with many questions on various topics throughout. The Ontario Crop Protection Hub shares up-to-date information on managing insects, disease, weeds and other crop management strategies, all in one place.
Corn Rootworm trapping
Free Corn rootworm (CRW) sticky traps are available (courtesy of Grain Farmers of Ontario and ABSTC). Fields with a history of corn on corn and repeated CRW Bt hybrid use are the preferred target sites. Sites from anywhere in Ontario are welcome, however, increased participation in Central and Eastern Ontario is desired. Trapping is expected to begin in July, with data being entered into the Trap network. If you would like more info or traps, please contact Tracey Baute at OMAFA (tracey.baute@ontario.ca).
April 24, 2025
Wet, cool conditions have put a hold on field operations in some areas of the province, but there are a few topics to keep in mind as planting approaches. There is still lots of time to get into fields and start planting.
Corn and soybeans
A few acres of corn have been planted at this point (less than five per cent province-wide), with more that will be planted as field conditions and weather patterns allow.
It is important to note that it is still very early in the spring season. When planting corn and soybeans, it is great if they go into warm soil and the first moisture that is taken into the seed is also warm (relatively speaking). The first 48 hours after planting are critical to avoid cold/chilling injury. If cold water is taken into the seed, the seed’s cells do not have the same elasticity as if it were warmer water. Depending on the conditions and the crop, different cell damage can occur, causing damage to the new sprouts and resulting in poor and uneven emergence that will affect plant stands and, ultimately, yield. Above all things, planting into fit soil, with both temperature and moisture taken into consideration, is crucial for good emergence.
True armyworm and black cutworm often show up around this time of the year. Other pests are also becoming active with the warmer weather. Good soil temperatures help plants emerge quickly, with less chance of insect feeding on seeds.
Cereals
A limited number of acres of spring grains are planted, but that will quickly change as the weather allows.
Winter wheat fields are staging around the Growth Stage (GS) 13 (3 leaves unfolded- later planted) to tillering GS 23 (main shoot plus three tillers) or more. The first pass of nitrogen application has occurred or will be shortly in a two-pass system.
Stem elongation begins at GS 30. As temperatures increase, be on the lookout for leaf disease within the next few weeks. With dense canopies, stem elongation is an important time for T1 fungicide timing (if pressure and disease timing are sufficient), weed control and nitrogen applications. It is also the start of the optimum window for most plant growth regulator (PGR) applications. Read more about what PGRs are available on the market and optimum timings in this Ontario Grain Farmer article on PGRs and if a PGR should be used. Keep in mind that GS 32-39 is the recommended window for a second pass of N. Herbicide applications will also be approaching- always be sure to read the herbicide label of the product being applied, as timing can vary between products. Remember the Rule of Threes—day and night temperatures should be above 3 °C, three days before application, and three days after the application. When the crop is under temperature stress (from cool temperatures), the plant will metabolize the active ingredient slowly, increasing the risk of crop injury. Similarly, herbicides need to be applied when weeds are actively growing to be effective.
Fieldwork
If fieldwork is a must, be aware that spring tillage is not the same as fall tillage. There is a lot less forgiveness in spring tillage. Ensure that the situation is not worsened by working when the ground is unfit. The higher the clay content, the worse it will be. Working wet clay ground with primary deep tillage causes lots of smearing and reduces soil pores. Don’t smear and compact the soil, it will be paid for all year until the next winter freeze cycle helps to recondition the soil. Stay off wet soil and consider fixing up the planter and drill to accommodate stubble. If cover crops are utilized, anticipate higher residues from a good fall growing season, remember that not all cover crops are killed in winter, and plan accordingly.
Seed
Most farmers have their seed sitting in the shed, ready to plant. A few things to consider now: Is the seed size what you think it is? Be sure to go over the planting plan, list the hybrids and varieties, and match them up to fields based on agronomic considerations, such as herbicide programs or fertility zones.
It is a good idea to record everything so that when the rush hits and questions are being asked, others can step in and execute the planting plan. Make sure whoever is planting confirms what was planted and where. That way, the right herbicide and fungicide programs can be applied to the correct fields. Keeping good records limits the chance of spraying the wrong herbicide on the wrong crop.
Is the planter ready?
Before planting begins, make sure to spend the time needed to thoroughly inspect and fix the planter. Setting up the planter is a key step in assuring maximum yield through stand establishment.
Planter tires—right size and in good condition. Check the air pressure and adjust it to the correct pressure. Consult the user’s manual; the wrong tires or pressure level will affect the planted population. Then make sure the planter is level, start with the correct tongue height with your planting tractor, then check the planter frame for levelness.
Parallel linkage arms—check for free, smooth movement up and down. Also, check side-to-side movement. If too much movement occurs, this indicates that the bushings are worn and may need replacing. Also, make sure all linkage arms are straight and not bent.
Planter drive chains – check that the chains are not binding, and make sure all chains run smoothly and are not worn out. The drive chains need to run smoothly to help make the planter run correctly. Jumps and jerks will affect plantability and give seed skips in stands. Oil the chains and check the gears.
Gauge wheels – need to be free-moving and slide up and down snuggly to make sure the row unit runs at the set depth. When checking, pull the wheels up and check for sideways movement. If there is too much movement, tighten the arms.
Double disc openers – need to touch each other for a 1.5 to 2-inch distance along the disc tips to help create a V seed trench. If the discs don’t touch, they could be worn down or misaligned. Measure the diameter of the discs and make sure they fall within the equipment manufacturer’s guidelines. Typically, if they are smaller than 14.5 inches they need to be replaced. Proper V trench is essential for uniform seed placement in the trench and is the start to best seed-to-soil contact.
Seed tube guard—protects the seed tube. Worn tube guards need to be replaced before wear starts on the seed tube.
Seed tube—inspect all seed tubes to make sure they are not damaged. If they are worn or cracked, they can cause the seed to bounce, which causes uneven seed spacing in the trench. If they are worn, you will also need to replace the seed tube guards, as seed tube wear is an indication of worn-out guards.
Seed singulation—make sure they have been bench tested so the accuracy is known. Typical items that are checked are the condition of the knockoff brushes. The dimple wear on the backing plate and spring tension (on finger units). All help to reduce the number of double seeds being planted. Air planters need inspection of the brushes and plates for wear. Check that correct pressures can be maintained in the air system uniformly along all planter units. Check that each unit’s drive clutch aligns and doesn’t cause slips leading to seed skips in the field. Realign as required.
Closing wheels—need to be freely rolling. If the wheels are loose with too much play, the bushings will need to be replaced. Make sure the double disc opener lines up in the middle of the closing wheels.
Starter fertilizer discs and tubes – need to be operational and in the right position. This also needs to be checked when in the field, but make sure it is set up properly before heading to the field. If using dry starter fertilizer, make sure to have the fertilizer band far enough away from the seed as to prevent fertilizer burn on the seed. Most growers use 2×2-inch band from the seed, although it depends on the source of fertilizer and rate. Fertilizer burn can be confirmed if seed in the field looks dead but has a bit of whitish crystals on it. It is not poor seed; it is fertilizer that was placed too close to the seed. This may have occurred due to loose coulters that moved while planting, or something like rocks may have hit them loose. If using liquid fertilizer, check the pump and drive chains.
Be sure to do a test run and check that the double disc opener is in the middle of the closing wheels and not off to one side. If they are, realign them or check why they are not aligned. Is something bent or broken? Closing wheels need to be centred over the double disc opener so that the seed has uniform soil pressure on both sides equally.
When in the field, check the down force by examining the gauge wheels adjust as required for the conditions. Too much pressure will prevent the gauge wheels from rotating, cause excess wear and tear on the equipment, and put too much pressure on the seed trench, leading to sidewall compaction problems. If the gauge wheels run too freely then there is not enough down force to position the row unit, and the unit will float causing uneven planting depths. Gauge wheels should be snug, not too tight or loose.
Uniform seed placement is the goal of a finely tuned planter. To make sure the planter is operating properly do a few field checks and measure seed placement in the row. Is seed at the right depth? Is there proper seed-to-soil contact? Is there enough soil moisture at this depth? Is the fertilizer placement correct? If not, make the adjustments for the conditions for maximum crop potential. If the planter is bouncing in the field, slow down as all the excessive movement and vibration not only places the seed at variable depths but can also cause seeds to be dislodged from the singulator, creating skips in the field.
GrainTALK webinar: Least cost crop production
Join Marty Vermey, senior agronomist and Sankalp Sharma, senior economist with Grain Farmers of Ontario, in this GrainTalk webinar on least-cost crop production, concentrating on finding efficiencies and homing in on areas to focus on both agronomic and economic aspects of Ontario grain farming operations. This webinar has been approved for CCA CEUs.
April 17, 2025
This is the first field observation of the year after what seemed like a never-ending winter. At the start of April, we have certainly seen some swings in weather, from six inches of snow in some regions to plenty of rain. Finally, with some beautiful weather on the horizon, Ontario certainly has experienced it all. But, with these weather events experienced, there has been some impact on the winter wheat crop.
Winter wheat
Due to the excessive snow in some regions, snow mould has been a concern. Snow mould occurs when the ground does not freeze enough before snow accumulation. The snow insulates and allows pathogens to survive and grow on plants throughout the winter. Once the snow has disappeared, damp, cool conditions allow for further pathogen growth and continue damaging the plants. More information on snow mould, how to identify it, and how to assess plants for yield loss can be found here. If a high incidence of snow mould has occurred, aim to plant in the optimum planting date in future years. The optimum planting date map can be found at GoCrops.ca.
frosty mornings. Photo supplied by Marty Vermey
Some areas have experienced ice encasement of wheat due to water ponding and then freezing. When this occurs, the ice traps carbon dioxide and suffocates the plant by inhibiting respiration. Some plants may be dead, and some may be weakened. Be sure to scout and assess for plant stand. There are four main steps when assessing spring plant stands. Read more in the A Visual Guide to Winter Wheat Staging, pages 18 and 19.
When scouting, purple tissue may be identified—stress from the past week of cold temperatures has set the plants back a bit. When the soil is cool and wet, phosphorus uptake slows. Also, yellowing on the leaves at the bottom of the plant might be noted due to wet roots from saturated soils.
As fields green up and begin actively growing, keep an eye on growth stages as timing for a T1 fungicide, herbicide applications and/or the start of the optimum window for most plant growth regulator applications will be soon approaching at GS 30 (stem elongation). Some areas have begun the first pass of nitrogen on winter wheat in the deep southwest.
