General
The consensus is that not a lot has been happening to date. Rivers and streams are high to overflowing and tile outlets are running full with lots of water still in the fields. Combinations of late snow, cool conditions and lack of drying weather have kept equipment in the yard. Even the cool wet weather has delayed guys getting to their equipment maintenance and preparation for the season. There is some impatience out there and even talk of hybrid switching starting.
The ground is wetter than you think. Patience will be important to putting the crop in under the best conditions possible. Lots of concern over compaction and tough seeding conditions. While guys have considerable acres to plant, a lot of lost yield can come from putting the crop in under poor soil conditions, and the resulting compaction can impact more than just the current crop.
Everyone is fixated on “early planting date”! While this is important, planting should at least at this point not be a function of the calendar but of the soil conditions. Early planting date yield potential is quickly lost to seeding under poor conditions.
The slow start to the season has allowed the trade to get seed out to farms and have everything at the outlet ready for meeting farmers needs when the weather breaks. Inventories of supplies are good and not anticipated to be a problem across the region.
New seed treatment registrations for Lumivia and Lumisena came late so won’t be on the crops for retail but will be in numerous test plots across the province this summer. These are not Class VII products which will simplify the use of them.
Lots of discussion on sulphur fertilization. Many feel that Ontario field crops need S supplementation. The harder thing to pin down is the rate. Most agreed that 5 lbs/acre was too low for wheat and even 10 lbs/acre might be too low with some suggesting 15-20 lbs/acre. Most thought more was better and especially where people were pushing N rates. Scott Cressman indicated they are establishing some S plots across the province and he will keep the group informed on the findings. Some discussion about S source and that elemental can be problematic because the S requires transformation in soil, which can be slower under current cool temps.
It was reported that exporters are looking for soybeans so farmers should be exploring how to capitalize on that.
Despite the talk of the compressed planting window, it was discussed that farmers and retailers are well equipped to plant and manage a lot of crop in a hurry. When you consider the acreage and logistics involved it is quite amazing what the industry is able to accomplish in a short period of time. One of the biggest problems logistically in a condensed season is getting fields scouted ahead of the sprayers so everyone has to work hard to keep on top of that.
That being said, a condensed planting window puts a lot of pressure on everyone. It is important to be safe and watch out for yourselves, your colleagues and your customers for signs of exhaustion or stress. Look out for everyone!
Crop Insurance (as reported at the Mt. Forest Meeting April 24th)
In 2017 there were considerable acres that went unseeded based on the weather and late spring field conditions. Just in the Markham to Thornbury stretch alone over 250,000 acres were affected. There were other acres that did get seeded that should have not been based on the compaction done and low yields that resulted. Farmers should be exploring the Unseeded Acres Benefit Program, especially in areas that traditionally have high frequency of difficult and late plantings.
As an example, a farmer with a 150 bu/ac average farm yield for corn would get $227.50/ac payout for not seeding under undesirable conditions based on a $4.55/bu floor price. As the customer, the farmer picks the crop they want to use as the base and their own AFY is used in the calculations. Previously the program used the dominate crop of the farm but now the producer is able to choose.
If farmers find themselves in this situation of unseeded acres, it is important that they contact both Agricorp head office and reach out to their local adjuster. Timing is critical at this point and you want to ensure that the adjusters can get to you as quickly as possible to trigger the coverage. Communication is key.
So far in 2018 there have only been a handful of claims phoned in for winter wheat. That has been isolated to a few areas with heavier soils and late planting dates.
Farmers should also be looking at the RMP program. While a lot are in the program, others dropped out a number of years ago when eligibility for participating was based on them being in the Agristability program. This is no longer the case and the coverage has benefited many people.
The Forage Rainfall Benefit Program was not as popular as expected over the last couple of years, but 2017 would have paid out favourably. Those that have done the calculations have seen the benefit and the enrolment is up substantially this year. With the weather patterns that we have seen these past few years, the coverage requires a thoughtful look.
Even with the talk of a late spring based on few wheels being turned to date, the deadline for acquiring crop coverage is May 1st, so don’t delay in finalizing your coverage plans. Even winter wheat crops that were not insured last fall can be rolled in but the coverage has to be requested by May 1st and doesn’t kick in until the field has been inspected for winter kill.
Where Adzuki beans could be covered under the general bean program previously, it now is covered specifically under the Adzuki bean program so farmers with that crop need to ensure they have acquired the right coverage.
Again, May 1st is the deadline! 1-888-247-4999 or contact@agricorp.com .
Agricorp for the 2018 insurance planting deadlines for spring-seeded grains and oilseeds can be found here .
Source : Field Crop News