Weather has been dry allowing for a lot of field work. Most fertilizer and pre-emerge herbicide applications are done. Crop Heat Units (CHUs) are behind about 30 CHU from the 30 year average.
Table 2. May 18 – 25, 2016 Weather data
Forages:
Generally anticipated first cut yields will be lower than normal due to the cool and dry spring weather. On farm forage inventories are generally good. Orchard grass now heading and the rare alfalfa stem is at beginning bud stage. Depending on percent of the forage mix, growers are expected to first cut about the 28th of May. Cereal rye is at the head half emerged stage and should be harvested now for optimum forage quality.
New alfalfa seedings – early seeded are now at 4th trifoliate; drilled and starter (April 20 planted). Concern about new forage seedling with a companion / cover crop, will be dry and struggle with competition.
Winter Wheat:
Winter wheat is at the Zadok 37 (flag-leaf half emerged) stage looking good in most areas.
Stripe rust infection spread last week from the southwest (Windsor to London) to Huron (Exeter) and Bruce County (Walkerton). Fields with strip rust tolerant varieties or were sprayed early at the T1 stage, have less pressure. Higher nighttime temperatures should slow the development and spread of strip rust (optimum 10-20 oC). Growers should continue to scout their fields and if stripe rust is a problem, growers should spray immediately but be aware of wheat stage. Once the wheat reaches boot stage (Zadoks 45), the application of products containing a strobilurin fungicide may increase the amount of mycotoxins in the grain. As we approach the flowering stage (Zadok’s 59), the use of a T3 fungicide to control Fusarium head blight will also control many leaf diseases, such as stripe rust. Weather forecast and DONcast may assist to best coordinate need for FHB fungicide application at flowering.
Source: FieldCrop