Written by Carrie Davenport, Georgian View Ag Services Ltd. – Pioneer Seed

The 2025 cropping season in Ontario was marked by variable weather conditions, with above-average day time temperatures, below-average rainfall, and some early cool/wet delays in seeding followed by warm/droughty conditions. These factors have led to mixed outcomes for wheat, soybean and edible bean yields. We are still waiting to see how grain corn finishes.

Winter wheat in Ontario overall had a success story. Quite a few acres that typically aren’t destined for wheat finally had their opportunity for fall cereals. The strong fall establishment and growth development heading into winter was the starting point of wheat’s favourable story. Spring managed to go well, with most growers applying their nitrogen and sulfur at appropriate growth timing. I think where the variability came in yields depended on the droughty conditions during head flowering. Agricorp had reported that production was 110% of average farm yield for Ontario. Grey, Bruce and Simcoe county had reports ranging from 60-110+bu/ac. Bruce seemed to be the most consistent above average yields.

Soybeans had an interesting start. The early plantings (end of April, early May) seemed to sit for quite a while. The later plantings were out of the ground rapidly and were very similar growth stages in June as the early seeded ground. Summer drought and temperatures played a major role in our herbicide management and decision making regarding fungicide application. Most crops had a strong canopy early July but as we moved further into the summer it was noticeable we were going to have major variability throughout Ontario soybean crops. We had no major insect or mould issues to be noted this season and most growers ended up combining soybeans early, in excellent field conditions and quite dry… Lots under 13%. Yields truly were all over the place, heavily favouring those that lucked out to get August rainfalls.

Corn grew rapidly in July and early August. We didn’t see high pressure of Tar Spot thankfully this season – likely weather was a contributor to this and Western Bean Cutworm insect damage was variable. We avoided the late September frost this season. Where I am in Grey county we didn’t have a killing frost until mid October – later than normal. Silage went well with strong tonnage and feed value (other than Simcoe.) I’m sure they didn’t have the same outcome as Grey) and notably the moistures didn’t drop off rapidly in September. Day time temperatures deceived us, making us all think that as soon as we were done soybean harvest we would roll right into corn. Night time temperatures were 4-6 C for the majority of September and I think this is a contributing factor to our wet corn, with the layer of crop stress adding to the equation. Corn will be a long harvest. I have have been taking off test strips that are anywhere between 24 and 32%. There is gibberella ear rot in the countryside that we will be managing. From what I have tested so far it has ranged from 0ppm – 4ppm. Be aware and as proactive as you can.

Sending everyone best wishes finishing up harvest.

Carrie Davenport