Ontario Field Crop Report
2008 Cereal Seasonal Summary
Table of Contents
- Summary
- Winter Cereals
- Spring Cereals
- Challenges
for 2009
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
A record acreage
(1.25 million acres) of winter wheat was planted into excellent conditions in
the fall of 2007. The shift to soft red winter wheat continued with the 2008 crop
dividing into a 73% SRW, 15% HRW, and 12% SWW split. Final yield was slightly
above trend line at 81.6 bu/ac. The yield of SRW continued to dominate at 83.3
bu/ac, SWW at 80.1, and HRW at 77.9 (data courtesy Agricorp). Harvest was a challenge
with frequent showers and rain delays, particularly in areas east of Toronto.
Quality of SRW was mostly good, with significant sprouting concerns in the SWW
crop and higher fusarium levels in some of the HRW harvest. Protein levels are
at record low levels in much of the crop.
Spring cereal acreages declined
for all classes: spring wheat 170,000 ac (-5%), oat 75,000 ac (-25%), barley 155,000
ac (-9%), mixed grain 115,000 ac (-18%). This continues the trend for all spring
cereals except wheat which had been increasing until this year. Yields were close
to average with spring at wheat 51.2 bu/ac, barley 63.3, oat and mixed grain both
near 70 bu/ac. Quality of the spring wheat crop was very disappointing. Estimates
that were over 40% of the crop were graded feed or sample on account of fusarium,
particularly in Eastern Ontario. Ergot was also found at high levels in a significant
number of acres in central/west production regions.
Fall planting conditions
in 2008 were less than ideal and prices were not encouraging for growers to plant
wheat. However, growers have become accustomed to wheat being a profit centre
and they recognize the benefits of growing wheat. These features remained uppermost
in grower's minds resulting in the fourth largest winter wheat plantings on record
estimated at 950,000 acres. Trend line yield for 2009 is 79.6 bu/ac. The new crop
as of this report is in fair to good shape, with early wheat (prior to Thanksgiving)
looking acceptable, and later wheat spotty or showing "tile run" symptoms
due to continued saturated soils. The shift to SRW continues with current plantings
at 82% SRW, 11% HRW, and 7% SWW. This acreage of SWW leaves little room for crop
problems before demand will outstrip supply.
Winter
Cereals
Planting
In the fall of 2007, growers
went to the field early and hard with the earliest wheat actually planted in August
and significant acreage planted by September 15th. Extremely warm conditions (32°C
+) the first week of October, gave tremendous growth to early wheat with significant
fall disease developing. The crop planted after Thanksgiving did not have these
conditions as weather turned cool and damp. By winter, two wheat crops had developed;
early wheat with tremendous growth, and late wheat with little top. Winter was
long and harsh, particularly in the deep southwest, with heavy rains and ice formation.
These water-logged conditions did impact the crop with thin stands and final yields
slightly below average in this region. Further to the north, this rain came as
snow resulting in a long winter still conducive to wheat survival. Increased incidence
of snow mould was the only outcome of the extended period of snow cover. Ontario's
first ever occurrence of winter cutworm identified in wheat near Parkhill, destroying
the stand.
Growing Season
Spring came
late, but a dry April allowed nitrogen to be applied on time. May was cool and
damp, with frequent frosts causing significant concern both with herbicide application
injury and potential damage during the critical pollination stage. Both of these
issues ended up having little impact. Soil borne virus concerns (Wheat Spindle
Streak Mosaic, Wheat Soil Borne Mosaic and Wheat Streak Mosaic), caused significant
injury in some areas with damage severe in some cases. Temperatures remained conducive
to the disease well into June, allowing symptoms to remain evident for an extended
period. In most severe cases, the crop was cut for hay and re-planted into edible
beans. However, with warmer temperatures in mid June, symptoms lessened and final
yield impact was minimal. Cool conditions limited foliar disease pressure throughout
the season, but high prices encouraged significant acreage to receive foliar fungicides
regardless. In another unusual development, stem rust developed on susceptible
varieties late in the season, resulting in lower yields in some cases. Barley
Yellow Dwarf Virus was evident at low levels with aphid pressure at low to moderate
levels in many fields. European chafer and June Beetle damage continued to impact
affected fields, with chafer continuing to move north and east, the hot spot now
north of Toronto. Many impacted fields were lost in May and re-planted. Fusarium
concerns were high with weather at heading quite variable. Estimates run as high
as 67% of the crop sprayed with a heading time fungicide to reduce fusarium.
Harvest
Harvest began in the dry southwest with slightly disappointing yields but excellent
quality. As harvest moved north and east, yields increased to "best ever"
levels, but frequent rain began to delay harvest, and quality deteriorated correspondingly.
Grade discounts because of mildew became common, and the bulk of the soft white
crop sprouted with almost 80% sprouts in severe cases. Constant rain began to
keep growers out of fields for harvest due to wet soils from Niagara and Toronto
east and north. For many growers from Toronto to Ottawa, excellent or even record
yields were coupled to extremely poor quality due to poor harvest conditions.
Fusarium levels increased as harvest progressed, with the hard red wheat crop
particularly affected. Protein levels in the hard red crop were also extremely
variable often below premium cut-offs. This low protein was evident in the soft
wheat crop, with the lowest protein crop ever as harvest. This low protein works
well in many North American soft wheat applications, but is a negative factor
for wheat being exported overseas.
Fall 2008
Initial wheat planting expectations were quite low with low prices, a late soybean
harvest, and wet soil conditions. However, in the dryer southwest regions, wheat
acres were planted rapidly as soybean harvest allowed, in some areas exceeding
plantings of 2007. There was little opportunity or push to plant wheat ultra early,
especially after the poor outcome of this practice in 2008. Wheat planted by Thanksgiving
went into reasonable soil conditions, and has had sufficient heat to be well tillered
as winter arrives. Later planted wheat experienced wet and cold conditions and
poor growth. In heavy or poorly drained soils this wheat is already showing poor
emergence in wet spots or between tile runs, and chances are high that it will
not survive well enough to be left next spring. Some growers attempted to re-seed
these areas, but continued heavy precipitation has limited chances to accomplish
this and reduced chance of success. There has been little chance for late wheat
to be planted due to heavy rains and wet soils. Yield potential at this stage
will be challenged to maintain trend line levels.
Spring
Cereals
Planting
Dry conditions allowed
for timely planting into excellent soil conditions in much of the production area.
The exception to this was northern Ontario, where wet conditions plagued the crop
and planting was extremely late. There was little opportunity for frost seeding
this spring as the snow left late and few nights had freezing temperatures after
this.
Growing Season
Several bouts
of cold night temperatures made timing of weed control more difficult, but most
herbicides were applied in a timely fashion. Cool temperatures in the early growing
season kept disease pressure at low levels. As crops reached the flag leaf stage,
disease pressure increased dramatically with the wet, warm weather that followed.
Mildew on wheat, scald on barley and rust on oat were major issues. Genetic resistance
to both crown and stem rust in oat broke down in eastern Ontario causing major
losses in unsprayed crops. Growers will need to pay particular attention to this
issue in 2009. Fusarium risk was extreme in eastern Ontario, but converse to the
winter wheat crop, many acres were not sprayed due to poor results in previous
years.
Harvest
Wet weather continued throughout
grain-fill and into harvest, making the harvest process long and arduous. Some
spring wheat still remained to be harvested as late as Thanksgiving. Quality of
the crop was negatively impacted by these conditions, with mildew, fusarium and
ergot all having impact. In some cases, falling number was significantly reduced
as well. The allure of a "Cinderella" year gave way to the reality of
decent yields but quality discounts as high as $200/tonne. These harvest struggles,
coupled with low prices, will challenge acreage for spring cereals again next
spring.
Challenges for 2009
Oat
Rust
With the loss of genetic resistance to both stem and crown rust,
growers will need to totally reassess management strategies. Performance trial
results will not mirror on farm results were fungicides are used. Genetic resistance
will need to be improved, and fungicide use re-assessed in light of this development.
Fusarium
The nemesis of wheat production in Ontario, fusarium continues to be the top issue.
The need for evaluation of new fungicides, genetic resistance, tolerance and efforts
towards better, more objective grading options, have all been reinforced with
resulting heightened awareness again this year.
Mildew
The impact of mildew on the milling quality of wheat needs further assessment.
While wheat is no longer downgraded to feed on account of mildew, grading standards
in the US are much more lax for this issue. The downgrading to grade 3 on account
of mildew needs to be reassessed.
Wheat
in the Rotation
As wheat acreage increases there will be increased desire
to plant wheat in less than ideal rotations, such as wheat following corn, wheat
following barley, and wheat following wheat. The impact of these rotations needs
to be assessed, along with any management options to mitigate the problems associated
with these rotations.
Managing Pest Issues
Aphid pressure, European Chafer, ergot and various virus problems are issues that
have surfaced this year. Very little Ontario data exists to support management
thresholds or techniques. New products and genetics continue to become available.
Management options and thresholds all need to be investigated for many of these
pest issues.
