Eastern Ontario
Corn
• 2,650 CHUs from May 1 to August 31, 50 CHUs above normal.
• Total precipitation from May 1 to end of August, 415 mm, 50 mm above average.
• Corn disease pressure remains low.
• Good stand establishment, timely rains point to above-average yields.
Soybeans
• Maturity was generally running a few days behind normal.
• Disease pressure remains low, while the aphid population collapsed by mid-August.
• Plants were not particularly tall, but pod-set was good.
Forages
• Excellent third-cut yields.
• Frequent showers in early August made it difficult to harvest high quality 3rd cut dry hay.
Cereals
• 2022 Ontario Winter Wheat Performance Trials results are available at: GoCereals.ca.
• As a result of frequent showers: lodged crops and high straw volume, spring cereal harvest slow for many.
• Yields significantly above average; grain quality was good.
Renfrew County
Corn
• Warm temperatures and 120mm of rain in August improved corn crops.
• Some excellent stands, mainly on lighter soil, with large dented cobs as of August 31.
• Rest of corn crop was all over the map in terms of cob size and maturity — overall yields will be affected.
Soybeans
• Potential for high yields in bean crop.
• Colour, height and pod fill was good to excellent.
• Some spraying for aphids and spider mites required.
• Early varieties changing colour. Full-season beans benefiting from August’s rain and warm temperatures.
Forages
• Large volumes of hay and forages taken this year.
• Some farms were not taking a third cut, others were terminating some good looking stands.
• Pastures greened up and growing well.
Cereals
• Cereal harvest was mostly completed with a few fields of spring wheat still standing.
• Yield and quality of both winter wheat and spring cereals was above average.
Northumberland, Hastings and Prince Edward Counties
• Life-saving rains in August really helped corn crop.
• Most of corn was at three-quarter milkline by August 31 and entered dent stage.
• Corn silage production was expected to be underway first week of September as moisture levels dipped to 65-70%.
Soybeans
• Spider mites in August prompted considerable spraying.
• Fields were turning colour by the end of August, a little early because of drought conditions.
• Pods were filling out nicely.
Forages
• Alfalfa and hay harvest finished. Many growers didn’t need to take a third cut, thanks to high inventory levels.
• Oats and peas planted as cover crops (after the winter wheat harvest) are now coming along very well.
Cereals
• Wheat harvest concluded in August with great yields. Wheat yields over 100 bushels per acre was common.
• Small cereals were grown in limited quantities as usual but similarly did well.
• Planting of winter wheat was set to begin first week of September, with more expected after soybean harvest.
East-Central Ontario
Corn
• Earlier-planted corn showed less tip fill than later-planted crops.
• Growers, on average, anticipated an average crop in 2022, off of last year’s high.
Soybeans
• Varying potential in soybeans.
• Early-planted fields looked on course for average crop, while later plantings had disappointing pod set.
• Major stress signs on lighter soils or higher fields.
• Large percentage of crop, showed major weed escapes.
Forages
• Some growers wrapped up their 3rd cut hay.
• Yields were acceptable if that cut was even.
• No shortage of hay out there — many were looking to market excess hay.
• What a difference a year makes!
Cereals
• Wheat harvest produced excellent yields and quality.
• Combines were parked as wishes for rain came true.
• Spring cereals yielded an average crop, volumes were excellent but test weights were marginal.
• Just too dry for too long, but still better than last year.
