Mostly favourable weather across Ontario has allowed producers to make significant progress in both the soybean harvest and winter wheat planting this fall, according to the latest field observations from Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO).
As of Oct. 1, an estimated 39% of the province’s soybean crop was harvested, as many growers took advantage of warm, dry conditions to advance fieldwork, the GFO update said. Moisture levels have ranged from 9% to 16%, with recent rainfall helping to boost moisture content in some areas. Yields are proving highly variable, with reports ranging from below 20 bu/acre to over 70 bu on the best fields that received timely rains.
Many farmers have been surprised at just how quickly soybeans dried down this fall, the update added. Despite plants retaining some lower leaves, higher temperatures and persistent dry weather accelerated maturity and sped up seed drydown.
Meanwhile, winter wheat seeding is progressing steadily. As of Oct. 1, about 34% of the crop was in the ground. Warm soil temperatures and adequate moisture have created near-ideal conditions for planting, with strong germination already evident in early-seeded fields.
Elsewhere, corn maturity is advancing, with some regions reporting the crop has reached black layer while others remain in later stages of grain fill. DON levels are expected to be low in most areas this year, although localized hotspots are possible where conditions favoured Fusarium development.
Harvest conditions are expected to remain favourable through the weekend, with warm and sunny conditions in the forecast.
Source : Syngenta.ca