Ontario Field Crop Report
2007 Forage Crops Seasonal Summary
Table of Contents
- Summary
- Alfalfa Winterkill
- New
Seedings
- Insects
- Brown
Root Rot and Aphanomyces Rot Disease
- Hay
Inventories
- First Cut Yields and Quality
- Second,
Third and Fourth Cuts
- Pastures
- Critical
Fall Harvest Period
- Corn Silage
- Challenges
for 2008
For
emerging issues, questions or to provide feedback on this report, contact the
CropLine at 1-888-449-0937. Technical information can also be obtained at the
OMAFRA Field Crops Webpage and Crop
Pest Ontario. Referenced OMAFRA Publications include the Agronomy Guide for
Field Crops (Publication 811),
the Field Crop Protection Guide (Publication
812), Guide to Weed Control (Publication
75), and Ontario Weeds (Publication
505). These can be obtained from your OMAFRA Resource Centre, or by calling
1-800-668-9938.
Summary
Seasonal forage yields
were quite variable across the province, depending on rainfall. Rainfall data
from the Forage Rainfall Crop Insurance Plan indicates that many areas of the
province were deficient in rainfall during some or all months, of the forage production
season. This includes many parts of southwest and central Ontario, the Quinte
area, and Algoma and Manitoulin in the north. Most parts of eastern Ontario received
adequate rainfall for average to above average forage yields. Forage supplies
are very tight in some of the affected areas. Haying conditions were generally
very good, which resulted in good to excellent forage quality.
Alfalfa
Winterkill
Despite some anticipation of alfalfa winterkill, winter survival
was very good to excellent in most areas, including eastern Ontario.
New
Seedings
Seeding conditions in April and early-May of this year were very
good, and most new forage seedings were planted in excellent time. This resulted
in good establishment for areas that received adequate moisture in May and June.
Where rainfall was reduced, the success of new forage seedings was less consistent.
Annual broadleaf weed control was a problem in some fields.
Summer seedings
that were completed during the optimum seeding dates appear to be inconsistent
due to extended dry August weather and delayed emergence.
Insects
Some
alfalfa weevil was reported at threshold levels in the south-west but very little
spraying was required. Potato leafhopper levels (PLH) were above threshold levels
in many parts of the province, particularly in the counties bordering Lake Erie.
PLH worsened the negative effect of the dry weather, resulting in poor regrowth
and low yields. Very few of the affected acres were sprayed, but an increasing
number of farmers are considering the use of available PLH resistant alfalfa varieties.
Brown
Root Rot and Aphanomyces Root Rot Disease
Brown root rot (BRR) disease
of alfalfa is a new winterkill risk factor that needs to be considered when evaluating
stands. Preliminary survey results suggest that BRR may be a significant and widespread
problem in Ontario. BRR is caused by a fungal pathogen that thrives at cooler
soil temperatures. Infection of the roots can have a detrimental impact on over-wintering
health and promote other diseases, winterkill, stand decline and yield loss.
Aphanomyces
root rot (ARR) is another fungus disease that may also be causing significant
losses in alfalfa production. Many alfalfa fields showed visual symptoms of Aphanomyces
in 2007, although this has not been confirmed by laboratory analysis. ARR is considered
a major cause of disease in alfalfa seedlings in wet soil conditions. Aphanomyces
also affects adult alfalfa plants and can dramatically reduce yield and vigour
of established stands. Because alfalfa roots are stunted with reduced secondary
roots, root hairs and nodules, affected fields performed very poorly in dry areas,
with very little or no regrowth.
Hay Inventories
Hay
inventories carried over in the spring of 2007 were greater than normal in most
parts of the province due to excellent 2006 yields. However, where 2007 yields
were dramatically lower, forage inventories are reduced and hay is in tight supply.
The areas north of Lake Erie from Lambton and Elgin to Niagara were significantly
affected. Also affected were the cow-calf areas extending from Bruce County to
the Kawartha Lakes and Quinte, as well as Algoma and Manitoulin. In these dry
areas, first-cut yields were typically 65 - 100% of normal, but second and third-cut
yields were often reported to be 0-50% of normal. The Forage Rainfall Crop Insurance
Plan paid $5.9 million in 909 claims. This compares to $2.2 million paid in 2006.
In 2007, 52% of program participants across the province received a claim. Rainfall
data and details of the Crop Insurance Program can be viewed at www.agricorp.com/en-ca/programs/rainfall.asp?year=2007&option=1.
Tight
hay supplies in these areas have resulted in higher hay prices. Many of the affected
cow-calf producers either sold some cattle in early fall, or used alternate forages
such as corn silage (in areas where that was an option). While it was relatively
easy to make "horse quality" hay, yields were often significantly reduced.
With a shortage of hay in many eastern US states, demand for Ontario horse hay
is strong. However, with higher transportation costs and the increased value of
the Canadian dollar, hay exporters are finding this market to be increasingly
competitive.
First-Cut Yields and Quality
There
was a lag in temperatures with cool nights in early-April, followed by a gradual
increase into May. The result was a slight delay in the maturity of alfalfa, and
a higher proportion of grass than normal in mixed alfalfa-grass stands.
Optimum
harvest dates of first-cut "dairy quality" alfalfa haylage typically
occurred about the third or fourth weeks of May for much of southern Ontario.
In general, the weather allowed for a timely first-cut haylage harvest resulting
in forage quality analysis fairly close to the benchmark 20 - 30 - 40 targets.
The exception was in eastern Ontario where harvest was delayed somewhat due to
rain. Crude protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), and fibre digestibilities
(NDFD) were generally close to normal.
Weather conditions for making dry
hay were generally good in June although some areas, including parts of eastern
Ontario, had more difficulty making early first-cut hay without rain-damage. With
overall good conditions for making dry hay, the need for propionic acid application
or making baleage was reduced.
Second, Third
and Fourth Cuts
Second and third-cut yields were extremely variable, depending
on rainfall in localized areas, but were typically well below average in many
areas. Many fields were cut without significant yield in an attempt to initiate
regrowth. Laboratory analysis indicates that even though much of the second and
third-cut was stressed by dry weather, quality was better than expected. Where
fourth-cuts were taken, yield and quality were very good.
Pastures
Similar
to hay and haylage, the "spring flush" of pasture production was also
reduced due to the cool and dry spring. When cattle were turned out according
to the calendar rather than the development of the pasture, some damage occurred.
Many pastures entered the "summer slump" period early and required supplementation
with stored feed.
Good pasture management and rotational grazing reduced
the need for feeding stored forage during the summer. Pastures recovered more
quickly in the fall where cattle had been removed to a sacrifice pasture during
the dry weather. Many pastures have been severely injured by continuous over-grazing
in situations where livestock inventories have exceeded forage supplies, compounded
by dry weather.
Annual forages, such as sorghum-sudan grass, turnips and
late-planted oats, are increasingly being utilized in grazing and summer feeding
programs. These crops provide an opportunity to fill some of the low spots that
occur in the perennial forage growth curve, and extend the grazing season further
into the fall.
Critical Fall Harvest
Period
With drier autumn weather and a lack of forage, considerable forage
acreage was harvested during the Critical Fall Harvest Period. This may increase
the risk of alfalfa winterkill. These fields should be closely monitored in the
spring to determine if remedial action is required. Some producers that needed
feed waited for killing frost before taking the final cut.
Corn
Silage
Corn silage yield and quality were variable. Corn silage was ready
to harvest in late August and early September in most areas, about three weeks
ahead of normal. As the corn crop matured and dried very rapidly, some corn silage
was harvested at moisture that was too low. In areas severely affected by dry
weather, corn crops with little or no cob were often salvaged as corn silage.
Corn silage harvested and stored in piles or bag silos provided a good late season
forage option for dairy and beef operations requiring additional forage inventories.
Challenges
for 2008
"New" Alfalfa Diseases
Brown
root rot (BRR) and Aphanomyces root rot (ARR) are diseases that can have a significant
negative impact on alfalfa stands in Ontario. Preliminary results of a BRR survey
indicate that it is a common and widespread problem in Ontario. This is a difficult
disease to manage, but resistant varieties are being developed. Although many
fields show symptom of ARR, surveying in Ontario for Race 1 and 2 of this disease
is needed. ARR resistant varieties are commercially available.
Potato
Leafhopper
Potato leafhopper (PLH) levels are often high in some parts
of the province (such as the Lake Erie counties), resulting in significant damage,
yield loss and seeding failures. Potato leafhopper damage in alfalfa is frequently
underestimated. More scouting needs to be done, with insecticide application when
thresholds are exceeded. PLH resistant varieties should be considered in areas
where PLH levels are typically high.
Strategies
To Ensure Adequate Forage Inventories During Dry Weather
Dry weather impacts
pasture and forage yields and reduces forage inventories. Farmers must develop
management strategies in the event of dry weather that include rotational grazing,
the use of drought resistant forage species, alfalfa disease management, and the
use of annual forages including corn silage. For more information, refer to OMAFRA
article Managing Forages in Dry
Years. The Forage Rainfall Crop Insurance Plan is available to forage producers
to help manage the risk of dry weather.
Managing
Alfalfa Winterkill
Alfalfa winterkill continues to be a serious issue in
some parts of the province, particularly in eastern Ontario. There are many contributing
risk factors, including the weather, soil type, drainage, a multiple disease complex,
potato leafhopper damage, variety selection, fertility, and cutting management.
Options to reduce winterkill include improved drainage and soil structure, controlling
insect pressure, ensuring adequate fertility, selection of varieties that are
winter hardy and highly disease resistant, avoiding very short cutting intervals,
and respecting the Critical Fall Harvest Period.
Rotational
Grazing
Changing from a continuous grazing to rotational grazing system
by subdividing fields and frequently moving livestock can result in significantly
more production. A rotational grazing system can double the forage production
over a continuous grazing system, and reduce the amount of hay fed during the
dry summer slump. Rotational grazing with 10 or 12 paddocks, 2-5 days grazing,
and 28 to 40 days of rest is ideal. Even a less intensive 4-6 paddock system with
5-10 days grazing with a 30 day or longer rest and recovery time will increase
production over continuous grazing.
