Ontario farmers made major planting progress over the May long weekend as favourable conditions allowed producers to advance fieldwork.
Corn planting advanced rapidly over the past week, with Grain Farmers of Ontario’s field progress report estimating the crop at 74% planted as of Wednesday, up sharply from 52% the previous week. Recent stretches of warm, dry weather between rain events created nearly ideal planting conditions in many regions. However, agronomists are warning growers to monitor for soil crusting, particularly in fields that received heavy rains following planting. Some corn fields may require intervention to help seedlings emerge.
Soybean planting also accelerated, reaching 39% complete provincewide, compared to 16% a week earlier. While progress was strong overall, wetter no-till fields and heavier soils in some areas remained too damp for equipment. Similar to corn, growers are being advised to watch for crusted soils after hard rains, which could hinder soybean emergence.
Spring cereal planting climbed to 75% complete, up from 62% the previous week. Earlier-seeded cereal crops have now emerged and are in the seedling growth stage.
Meanwhile, Ontario’s winter wheat crop continues to advance rapidly, ranging from stem elongation to the flag leaf stage across the province. Agronomists say this is an important fungicide timing window for many fields. Producers are also being urged to scout closely for disease pressure after powdery mildew, septoria, and stripe rust were confirmed in Ontario wheat fields.
