Eastern Ontario
Corn
• We accumulated 350 CHUs from May 1st to 24th — 50 CHUs above normal.
• Rainfall at 70 mm since May 1st was close to normal.
• Corn planting was near complete. Emergence was uniform.
• Growth was a few days behind normal, result of numerous cold nights in May.
• If planting after May 25th, consider hybrids with 200 fewer CHUs.
Soybeans
• Soybean seeding was over 75% done.
• Early seeded soybean emerged slowly but uniformly.
• For beans planted into old or thin hay fields after 1st cut, there is no benefit to switching to shorter maturity soybeans unless planting after June 15th.
• A 3-week delay in planting only delays soybean harvest maturity by 1 week.
Forages
• Alfalfa overwintered well with winterkill mostly limited to low spots.
• Maturity was a few days behind normal due to cold nights, but growth was excellent.
• Stands were quite thick and uniform. Some were already starting to lodge.
• First cut alfalfa yields should be above average.
• Grass maturity was on par with normal.
Cereals
• Winter wheat overwintered well, with winterkill mostly limited to low spots of ponding.
• There were minimal signs of leaf diseases by May 24.
• Early seeded spring cereals emerged well.
• Most stands, while still short, were at the 3 to 5 leaf stage — ideal for broadleaf weed control.
Renfrew County
Corn
• Majority of corn crop began to emerge by May 25.
• Some of the early planted, lighter soil fields were at the 3-leaf stage.
• A lot of corn was planted in the May 11 to 15 heat wave.
Soybeans
• Soybean crop was mostly planted by May 25 but some beans were still going into the ground.
• Early plantings emerged nicely.
• Soil conditions were on the dry side.
Forages
• Hay and pasture growth slowed down with cool, cloudy weather but in general came through the winter in good shape.
Cereals
• Spring cereals lost a lot of acreage in favour of corn and soybeans.
• Early planted spring wheat was at the 3 to 4 leaf stage by May 25 and could have used a rain.
• Winter wheat was doing well; some fields were lost due to icing and some of the late plantings were terminated.
Northumberland, Hastings and Prince Edward Counties
Corn
• The crop was 90% or more planted as of May 24.
• Much of what remained to be planted was corn silage.
• Early-planted corn had emerged and looked good at the two-leaf stage.
Soybeans
• Crop was about 60% planted by May 24.
• Some of the early-planted beans had emerged and looked good.
Forages
• The forages were probably a little shorter than desired because of dry conditions.
• Winter rye was cut in the third week of May and baled and wrapped the following week.
Cereals
• Winter wheat showed some spots of winter kill, especially if planted later in the fall.
• Not many spring cereals are grown here, but those planted had emerged by May 24.
East-Central Ontario
Corn
• Cropping got started late with the damp, cool weather but progressed well.
• Corn was virtually all planted by May 25th.
Soybeans
• Planting of beans was off to a good start by May 25.
Forages
• Pasture and hay fields showed reasonable growth, a little slower than normal but rain and warmer weather will lead to better top growth.
• At least the stands were there to grow, unlike the last couple of years.
Cereals
• Spring grain emergence looked good. Although planted later than normal, those crops caught up amid cooler than normal weather.
• Some fall rye fields were headed out, and fall wheat fields looked great.
• Areas under water in late winter showed little signs of damage.
