Ontario corn and soybean crops continue to advance through grain fill under generally favourable conditions as the calendar moves into the second half of August, according to the latest weekly field observations report from Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Released Thursday, the report said corn development remains highly variable because planting stretched over several weeks this spring. June-planted fields are generally in the R1 to R2 stages, ranging from pollination to blister, while earlier-seeded corn has reached the R4, or early dough, stage. Much of the provincial crop is currently between R2 and R3, or the milk stage.
Soil moisture conditions have been exceptional across much of Ontario, with some areas even experiencing excessive moisture, the report said. Crops have largely developed with little or no drought stress over the past couple of weeks, although a few localized areas that missed recent rainfall continue to show signs of dryness.
Soybeans are mostly in the R4, or full pod, to R5, or beginning seed, stages, although some later-planted fields remain behind normal development.
Strong canopy growth continues, with additional pods forming in the upper canopy as flowering gradually winds down. Yield potential remains difficult to assess because pods and seeds are still developing, leaving crops vulnerable to stress over the next several weeks.
Some soybean fields are beginning to lodge following strong vegetative growth earlier in the season. Timely rainfall, adequate heat and higher plant populations encouraged taller plants with longer internodes, while heavy rain and wind have added to lodging pressure.
Meanwhile, Ontario’s winter wheat harvest is nearing completion, while spring cereal harvesting is just getting underway.
