CORN
- Corn needs 0.2 to 0.3 inches of available water per day in the soil during peak summertime use. No rain forecast for two more weeks into August.
- 95 % of the corn was tasseled by July 30.
- Fungicides were being applied.
SOYBEANS
- Crop was at the R3 to R4 early pod-set stage. First pass of fungicide was done, with growers skipping a second pass amid the dry conditions.
- August rain will be critical for the bean crop.
WHEAT AND CEREALS
- 75 % of the winter wheat crop was harvested by July 30.
- Excellent yields of 110 to 130 bu/ac reported, with lots of straw. Growers were thankful for this.
FORAGES
- Some growers took 2nd and 3rd cut of alfalfa. However, 3rd cut was minimal,due to drought.
- Dairy and beef farmers began looking at other options to increase their forage supply for winter if drought doesn’t ease.
CORN
- The corn crop varied from looking OK, to just outright scary.
- We have already taken a yield hit because of drought.
SOYBEANS
- As with corn, the crop ranged from looking OK to outright scary. The final outcome depends on getting more rain.
WHEAT AND CEREALS
- Wheat harvest was 95 % wrapped up by July 30.
- Depending on soil type and area, the wheat was either poor or excellent.
- Final farm yields were overall average or a tick above average. In general, the wheat yielded better than expected.
- Spring grain harvest was about to begin, starting with early-planted oats. Yield expectations were low due to lack of moisture and excess heat during head-fill period.
FORAGES
- Some areas of the Kawartha Lakes saw a few showers. Other areas got nothing more than a heavy dew over the last 5 weeks. Only the very odd spot drew “measurable” rains. As a result, some farmers started subsidizing their pastures (with other feed), which burned up and didn’t keep up with grazing requirements.
- Farmers counting on a 3rd cut hay questioned whether it would happen.
CORN
- July heat really moved the corn ahead after a slow start, a few fields were in full tassel with the majority of the crop about half out as of July 30. Most fields showed uneven growth. Areas with compaction or less than ideal drainage were behind. All crops needed rain.
SOYBEANS
- The soybean crop was variable. Some really nice looking fields and others struggled. Later planted beans generally fared better than early planted ones.
- Most of the crop was in the later-flowering, early pod-fill stages and starting to show stress from lack of moisture.
CEREALS
- Winter wheat was the strong crop so far this year, 85-100 bu/ac yields, higher for some fields, and lots of straw. Good harvest conditions with no quality issues to report in this area. Spring cereals were starting to turn colour.
FORAGES
- Good yields of first and second cuts. Hot weather slowed growth for third cut. Pastures started to dry up.
CORN
- Some fields don’t look too bad as of July 30, but the drought has taken its toll.
- Very dry conditions between Kingston and Cobourg, and it appears any rain received now may be too late to save those corn fields.
- A lot of the corn was planted in wet conditions and shallow-rooted, making the crop especially vulnerable to the ensuing lack of rain.
SOYBEANS
- Beans are one of those crops you can’t judge from the road.
- Crop was flowering as of July 30.
- Too early to tell how many flowers are being knocked out by the heat.
- Stress evident where heat has baked the soil and on sandy knolls.
FORAGES
- Alfalfa was pretty good on the first cut. Quantity was good.
- Anyone that took a second cut got very good quality but quantity was down. Not a lot of second out there.
