Planters are parked across Ontario as rain-soaked and flooded fields are far from fit for corn seed.
But soil conditions can turn around in a hurry with better weather and there’s still plenty of yield potential for growers to chase, says Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) corn lead Ben Rosser.
In this episode of RealAgriculture’s Corn School, Rosser explains that corn yield potential is really resilient and doesn’t go down without a fight. By May 20, for example, all areas of the province still maintain 95% of corn yield potential.
Ontario research, conducted by former OMAFRA corn lead Greg Stewart and University of Guelph’s Dave Hooker, indicates growers at Elora maintain 95% yield potential to May 20; at Exeter the date is May 25; and growers further south at Ridgetown maintain this level of potential until May 30.
Rosser also discusses when growers should consider switching to shorter-season hybrids to maximize yield potential as the planting season drags on. For the areas of the province with less than 2800 CHU the switch date is generally May 15 to 20; for 2800 to 3200 CHU, May 20 to 25; and for areas with greater than 3200 CHU, May 30 to early June.
Click here for more Corn School episodes.
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