Armyworm trap counts high, silage corn harvest progresses

Ontario Hay Listings is a free classifieds service provided by the Ontario Forage Council. Producers looking to buy or sell hay or straw are encouraged to post an ad.

Bt-resistant corn rootworm is a serious pest of continuous corn and is a major threat to the silage corn supply. Work with your agronomist and nutritionist to create a forage crop plan with a good crop rotation. Talk to your corn seed supplier about purchasing hybrids without below-ground protection for first- and second-year corn. More information on Bt-resistant corn rootworm can be found here.

Agricorp deadlines are as follows:

• October 1: apply/change/cancel New Forage Seeding production insurance
• November 8: report summer- and fall-seeded New Forage Seeding acres
• November 22: pay premium for summer- and fall-seeded New Forage Seeding coverage

South and West

• According to AAFC, Niagara, Haldimand, Norfolk, Bruce, Grey, and parts of Middlesex counties received average rainfall for September. The rest of the region had below-average precipitation.
• Silage corn harvest is well underway. Yields are variable, and drought-stressed fields are low-yielding.
• Fall armyworm trap counts are higher than normal for the time of year. This could put new forage seedings at risk. More information on fall armyworm can be found here.

Central and East

• According to AAFC, most of the region had below-average rainfall for September. Muskoka, Renfrew, Prescott & Russell, and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry received average precipitation.
• Silage corn harvest is progressing. Yields are generally good to excellent.

Northeast

• According to AAFC, Algoma and Sudbury districts received below-average rainfall for September. The rest of the region had average amounts of precipitation.
• Parts of the region received a frost on September 23.

Northwest

• According to AAFC, Thunder Bay district received above-average precipitation for September. The rest of the region had below-average rainfall.
• Parts of the region received a frost on September 23.

Pasture production

Four pasture sites across Ontario are participating in a precision agriculture project to use grass more efficiently. Each week grass growth rates, among other production metrics, are measured using a rising plate meter. Average daily grass growth rates are shared publicly, while more detailed information is available to participating pasture managers. (year-to-date grass growth rates are shown at top of page)

Many thanks to Living Lab – Ontario, Ontario Beef Research Centre – Elora, Victoria County Community Pasture, and la Ferme d’éducation et de recherche du Campus d’Alfred (FERCA) for their involvement in this project.

– To read the full OMAFRA forage report for Oct. 5, click here.