The Ontario 2024 planting season was off to a much slower and wetter start than 2023's dry start. OMAFRA in their Field Crop News for June 13th, 2024, reported that the 2024 planting season will become the new bookmark for comparing challenging spring conditions for planting. Heavy-textured soils combined with frequent rainfall have resulted in significant acres intended for corn (up to 15%) being transitioned to soybeans………Some corn fields planted just before the heavy rains (around May 25th) are suffering slow uneven emergence, less vigour and tile-run colour variations. The crop has stalled the last week with the wet and cool conditions, but the forecasted warm weather will quickly push corn ahead.
The tour’s 2019-23 projected average corn yield of 188.8 bushels per acre (bpa) compares with Agricorp’s average over the same period of 186.5 bpa and Stats Canada at 166.9. On the soybean side, the tour’s 2019-23 projected average yield is 50.8 bpa vs. Agricorp at 50.3 and Stats Canada’s 2019-23 average yield of 49.2 bpa. Stats Canada has historically been seen to take the under while our estimates are more in line with Agricorp’s final insured acres and yields.
A NEW RECORD HIGH corn yield in Ontario last year at 203 bpa, according to Agricorp, surpassing 2021’s 200 bpa old record. According to the 2023 8th Annual Great Ontario Yield Tour, the provincial yield on corn was projected at 203 bpa, spot on with Agricorp’s estimate of 203 bpa (Stats Canada was only at 170.9 bpa), and the soybean yield was projected at 53.5 bpa, again close to Agricorp’s 53 bpa (Stats Canada was at 51.4 bpa). It’s been a record corn yield in Ontario 2 out of the last 3 years with all 3 years above average. Agricorp’s 2023 soybean yield is ALSO A RECORD at 53 bpa and ties the 2021 record at 53.
Ontario Crop Statistics
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2,265,300 acres
Corn acres in 2024, +0.18% vs. 2023
170.9 bu/acre
Corn yield in 2023, +4.9 bu/acre vs. 2022 |
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3,038,000 acres
Soybean acres in 2024, +4.29% vs. 2023
51.4 bu/acre
Soybean yield in 2023, +3.4 bu/acre vs. 2022 |
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1,062,800 acres
Wheat acres in 2024, -11.06% vs. 2023
91.2 bu/acre
Wheat yield in 2023, -2.4 bu/acre vs. 2022 |
According to the Canadian Drought Monitor, May precipitation varied across much of the province, with northwestern Ontario receiving above-normal precipitation of more than 150% of normal in many areas. In contrast, central Ontario received between 40% and 115% of normal precipitation. Overall conditions improved across Ontario, with recent precipitation leading to the removal of Severe Drought (D2) and significant reduction of Moderate Drought (D1) across northwestern parts of the province. However, a small pocket of Moderate Drought (D1) remained across Thunder Bay due to lingering long-term precipitation deficits.
OMAFRA reported that some soybean fields planted just before May 25th weekend rains were suffering slow, uneven emergence and lack of vigour due to cool temperatures and some crusting. Unseeded soybean acres are present in all geographies, dependent on soil texture and drainage. In areas with heavy clays, there are farms with no crops planted yet this spring.
Wheat continues to look great. Weather conditions to date have been ideal for grain fill.
https://fieldcropnews.com/2024/06/ontario-crop-report-week-of-june-13-2024/
A hot and humid summer is expected across Ontario, according to The Weather Network’s 2024 summer outlook. Summer will bring a heightened risk for extended heat waves, especially across southwestern Ontario, including Windsor and London. We will see periods of cooler weather during June, but the heat will build through July and August and linger into September.
