Corn at V2 (leaf collar method). Picture taken in Williamsburg, ON on June 12, 2025. Banks Photo

By Kelsey Banks, Banks Agro
AgriNews Contributor

EASTERN ONTARIO – Planting across eastern Ontario was challenging. With a combination of weather conditions causing planting delays and other possible challenges such as mechanical or personnel issues, it was tough for many. As of June 20, 2025, I estimate planting in the region is almost complete or complete. While keeping that in mind, the crops range in emergence and staging across the region.

During planting and until mid-June the weather has been under the typical average temperature for this time of the year. Consequently, the cool weather resulted in less crop heat units (CHU) accumulated at this time in previous years. This also resulted in some crops taking more time to grow to the next plant life’s stage. Although a worry to some, the week of June 23, 2025, there should be more CHU’s accumulated due to the forecast with the expected heatwave.

Corn

 As of late June, corn has emerged across eastern Ontario with most of the corn varying between the V3 – V6 growth stages. Emergence appears to be uniform in most fields and post-emerge weed control has begun. Also, for growers that split their nitrogen applications, side-dressing corn with urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) has begun as well.

Soybeans

As of now, soybeans range in the V1 – V2 growth stages. During emergence some areas in eastern Ontario experienced a lack of uniformity. This could possibly happen because of the various elevations throughout the field. Although some fields may look flat, they typically have varying elevations throughout. Consequently, the low elevated areas could have moisture as the rain moved down the higher elevation resulting in the higher elevated areas could be drier.

Wheat

Winter wheat’s current growth stage is in the 66 – 67 growth stage where flowering is ¾ complete. The winter wheat growers are starting to wrap up fungicide application due to the optimal application time is coming to an end.

Overall crops across eastern Ontario look good, considering when the crop was planted and the weather conditions it has emerged and grown through.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please reach out to your local agronomist.