Sheep and Goat Production

Sheep and Goat Production

Discussing current topics in Ontario sheep and goat production

All posts tagged forage report

August 2020 Forage Report

August 2020 Forage Report

Posted on Author Christine O'Reilly, OMAFRA Forage & Grazing SpecialistPosted in Forage, Forage

Photo: Many winter wheat fields were planted to an annual forage crop after harvest this year. Premiums for summer-seeded New Forage Seeding insurance are due to Agricorp September 15. Silage corn growers should check fields for rootworm resistance to Bt hybrids Scouting for corn rootworm injury in silage fields is important to detect potential resistance to rootworm Bt traits and to plan management options for the next growing season. It is especially important to report any fields showing signs of suspected resistance to your corn agronomist and the provincial entomologist. High Risk Fields for Resistance to Occur Include: Scouting Guidelines to Determine Possible Rootworm Resistance are available on Field Crop News. Scouting should occur in early September, before silage harvest. Rotating out…

Read

Forage Report – April 2020

Posted on Author Christine O'Reilly, OMAFRA Forage & Grazing SpecialistPosted in Forage, Forage

Winter Conditions Most of the province had average amounts of precipitation over the winter. Areas of Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Huron, Grey, Bruce, Temiskaming, Cochrane, Rainy River, and Kenora received below-average winter precipitation. Overall, reports of winterkill suggest normal or below-normal levels, except in Prescott & Russell, where high amounts of alfalfa winterkill occurred. Spring Conditions Planting intentions for forage acres are up compared to 2019, and most fields intended for cool-season forages across Southern, Western, Central, and Eastern Ontario have been planted. During the month of April, Southern, Western, and Northern Ontario had below-average precipitation. Central and Eastern Ontario, and Cochrane District received average amounts of precipitation. This has allowed field work to progress steadily in areas that are at lower…

Read
Ontario Forage Review 2018

Ontario Forage Review 2018

Posted on Author Christine O'Reilly, OMAFRA Forage & Grazing SpecialistPosted in ForageLeave a Reply

Fall and Winter Conditions Rain delays in 2017 pushed harvest in some areas into the critical fall harvest period. Root reserves that contribute to winter hardiness and promote spring growth were reduced. Many fields across the province were harvested when soils were still wet from frequent rainfall. Soil compaction in forage fields was a silent yield thief in 2018; research has shown compaction can reduce yields between 6-75% in grass stands. Winter conditions were equally challenging: across the province, several freeze-thaw cycles occurred between January and April. While agronomists report most of the province experienced less alfalfa winter-kill than expected, northeastern Ontario had severe winter-kill in alfalfa and grasses. Winter injury was most common in low-lying areas, heavy-textured soils, and…

Read