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Preventing Spray Drift

May 15, 2012 by Janice LeBoeuf

This is one to share with the neighbours.  Every spring, we see way too much spray drift onto vegetable crops (and other crops, but that’s for another newsletter).  Not only can this reduce yields by killing or injuring the crop, but there are many other serious consequences to the victim of spray drift such as:

  • Ÿ reduced crop marketability due to pesticide residue
  • Ÿ reduced crop marketability due to effects of herbicide injury (appearance, size)
  • Ÿ inability to meet contract commitments for volume of crop
  • Ÿ delay in crop maturity resulting in inability to meet contract commitments to buyer
  • Ÿ delay in crop maturity resulting in loss of premium (early) markets
  • Ÿ loss of customers or markets due to gaps in supply of the crop
  • Ÿ long term injury to perennial crop or windbreaks
  • Ÿ rifts between neighbours, family, friends
  • Ÿ large legal bills

Neighbours or custom operators working in adjacent fields may not realize how sensitive the horticultural crops are or the potentially devastating consequences of drift injury that go well beyond the yield loss.

Spray drift can be prevented, but all spray applicators need to educate themselves.  Several resources including videos, online tools, written material, and public shaming are listed below. Continue Reading »

Posted in herbicides, other problems, resources, Vegetables, weather | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

Ontario’s least wanted: Report the brown marmorated stink bug

May 23, 2013 by Janice LeBoeuf

This new flyer (in English and French) has excellent photos and descriptions to help anyone identify the invasive brown marmorated stink bug and distinguish it from similar-looking species.

If you think you have found BMSB, call the Agriculture Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or send an email to ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.  Visit ontario.ca\stinkbug for photos showing BMSB damage, management and  findings in Ontario. Continue Reading »

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments »

Actara 25WG minor use label expansion for fruiting vegetables

May 17, 2013 by Janice LeBoeuf

The PMRA has approved a minor use label expansion for Actara 25WG (thimethoxam) that includes fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant (crop group 8).

Added to the fruiting vegetables uses:

  • Foliar application for control of tarnished plant bug, stink bugs (brown, one-spotted, green), and reduction in damage caused by brown marmorated stink bug.
  • In-furrow application for suppression of tarnished plant bug and stink bugs (brown, one-spotted, green).
  • Transplant water application for suppression of tarnished plant bug and stink bugs (brown, one-spotted, green).

As with any insecticide, certain precautions should be taken to protect pollinators when controlling agricultural pests. These precautions include, but are not limited to the following:

  1. Following Label Directions – referring to Pollinator Protection statements on the product label to minimize exposure to bees from direct application as well as to systemic residues
  2. Communication – collaboration between growers, beekeepers and crop advisors to minimize exposure to pollinators and other wildlife
  3. Minimization of Spray Drift – use of buffer zones and proper sprayer calibration
  4. Monitoring Environmental and Field Conditions – being mindful of the appropriate weather conditions

Syngenta encourages you to visit www.beehealth.ca for further information on best management practices surrounding Syngenta’s technology.

Be sure to read and follow all label directions.

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Flea beetles in crucifer crops

May 15, 2013 by Marion Paibomesai

What species of flea beetles affect crucifer crops in Ontario?

Two species of flea beetles that commonly feed on brassica crops in Ontario are the crucifer flea beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae) and striped flea beetle (Phyllotreta striolata). There are reports that the crucifer flea beetle is more common in Ontario than the striped flea beetle.

Figure 1. Striped flea beetle (A) and crucifer flea beetle (B) adults.

Figure 1. Striped flea beetle (A) and crucifer flea beetle (B) adults.

Continue Reading »

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By the numbers: specialty vegetable markets in Ontario

May 14, 2013 by Marion Paibomesai

Evan Elford, New Crop Development Specialist, OMAF and MRA

Recently, there has been increased interest in the market potential of specialty vegetable crops in Ontario.  However, the conversation surrounding import replacement through domestic production has been ongoing for more than 30 years.  Market and agronomic research reports are readily available from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs (OMAF and MRA), the University of Guelph (U of G) and more recently, the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC). Navigating this information can be difficult, given that speculation on potential markets varies by source and over time. Other issues related to specialty crop production such as agronomics and pest management will not be discussed in this article but should also be considered before growing any specialty crop. Continue Reading »

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Frost injury in corn

May 13, 2013 by Janice LeBoeuf

This is a post from Field Crop News, on field corn, but it might be of interest to sweet corn growers as well: http://fieldcropnews.com/2013/05/frost-injury-in-corn-at-the-spike-stage/.  It discusses where the growing point of corn is at various leaf stages of early growth and how to evaluate damaged seedlings after a freeze.  It includes a video, too.

The growing point of corn is still below the ground until the five to six leaf stage.

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Root, bulb, leafy and brassica vegetable pest report – 13 May 2013

May 13, 2013 by Marion Paibomesai

See below for the degree days accumulated from April 1st until May 12th, 2013. These values are provided as guidelines only and provide an estimate of activity and development stages of certain insect pests in the field.  Local environment/climate/conditions, soil type, field history, etc. are likely to influence activity and presence of these pests in the field.  Continue Reading »

Posted in alliums, brassica vegetables, carrot, insects, leafy vegetables, pest management | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Managing nitrogen in cover crop systems

May 10, 2013 by Janice LeBoeuf

Dr. John Lauzon, University of Guelph (adapted from a presentation given at the workshop – Making Sen$e with Cover Crops Feb. 28, 2013)

Cover crops may be grown for many reasons including; reducing erosion, adding soil organic matter, soil structural improvement, nematode suppression, weed suppression, scavenging residual nitrogen, providing nitrogen to the next year’s crop,  etc..  However not all cover crops are able to provide all of these benefits.  Nitrogen management, for instance, can vary greatly depending on the cover crop choice used. Continue Reading »

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