Adverse Weather

Cold and Wet Conditions

Forages

Before
  • Soil test at least once every three years and apply nutrients as outlined in OMAFRA Publication 30: Guide to Forage Production.
  • In perennial hay fields, establish species that tolerate wet conditions, such as birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, smooth bromegrass, timothy, perennial ryegrass, or tall fescue. Used disease-resistant varieties where available.
  • Consider if Forage Rainfall Insurance offered by Agricorp is the right business risk management tool to help protect your farm's forage supply.
During
  • Keep off the field to prevent soil compaction, ruts, and mud on the crop.
After
  • Dig up roots to check whether plants are healthy. Look specifically for root and crown rot diseases that may impact the future productivity of the stand. Terminate alfalfa if stem or plant counts fall below economic thresholds. See page 37 of OMAFRA Publication 30: Guide to Forage Production.
  • Test crops for nitrate levels, and work with a nutritionist to dilute forages with elevated nitrates.

Pastures

Before
  • Train all livestock to respect an electric fence.
  • Soil test at least once every five years and apply nutrients to maintain results above 12 ppm P and 120 ppm K.
  • Establish species that tolerate wet conditions, such as birdsfoot trefoil, clovers, reed canarygrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, meadow foxtail and Kentucky bluegrass. Use disease-resistant varieties where available.
  • Implement a rotational grazing system on your farm.
During
  • Stand livestock off the pasture in a sacrifice paddock, barn, or dry lot to prevent pasture damage.
  • When soils are wet and grazing is required, use on/off grazing to minimize pasture damage.
  • Grass tetany/staggers (hypomagnesemia) is a risk to some classes of livestock when grasses are growing rapidly under cool, wet conditions. It can be prevented through magnesium supplementation. Talk to your veterinarian about preventative measures and treatment.
After
  • Assess pasture damage. Consider both the percent area of the field that is damaged, as well as the depth of pugging.
    • Longer rest periods between grazing events are often enough for very lightly or lightly pugged pastures to recover.
    • Light or moderately pugged pastures may benefit from overseeding. Frost seeding can be a good option for broadcasting legumes.
    • A complete renovation may be required for severely and very severely pugged pastures.

Horticultural Crops

Farmer Mental Health

We recognize that farmers are under a lot of stress. The ministry has resources available for farmers who need them.

Dry Conditions, Low Water and Drought

Agronomics

Horticultural Crops

Water Shortages

Heat Stress in Livestock

Beef Information

Swine Information

Forages

Before
  • Soil test at least once every three years and apply nutrients as outlined in OMAFRA Publication 30: Guide to Forage Production.
  • In perennial hay fields, establish species that tolerate dry conditions, such as alfalfa, reed canarygrass, orchardgrass, and tall fescue.
  • Include warm-season crops in the farm's forage plan, such as corn, sorghum-sudangrass, or millet.
  • Consider if Forage Rainfall Insurance offered by Agricorp is the right business risk management tool to help protect your farm's forage supply.
During
  • Scout alfalfa for potato leafhoppers and act if populations exceed the threshold. See page 156 of OMAFRA Publication 30: Guide to Forage Production.
  • If the alfalfa is tall enough to justify cutting and a 30- to 35-day harvest interval can be maintained, it can be cut. When rains return alfalfa will regrow from the crown.
  • Do not cut red clover or birdsfoot trefoil during a drought, as this will thin the stand.
  • For extra fall forage after winter wheat harvest, seed oats at 90 kg/ha (80 lbs/acre) and apply 55 kg/ha (50 lbs/acre) of nitrogen.
  • Call Agricorp (1-888-247-4999) to change the purpose of cereal or grain corn crops before harvesting them as forage.
  • Check the labels of any crop protection products applied for feeding/forage restrictions.
    • Cereals before heading can be put up as baleage. Between milk and soft dough stage they can be chopped and put up in a silo (like corn silage).
    • Soybeans are difficult to ensile and not recommended for boosting inventories on short notice.
    • Canola and other brassicas will not store as forage.
  • For extra forage in early spring, seed fall rye or winter triticale at 110 kg/ha (100 lbs/acre) after soybeans or silage corn harvest. Apply 55-80 kg/ha (50-70 lbs/acre) of nitrogen in the spring at green up.
After
  • Be cautious of silo gas and nitrate poisoning. Hazardous Gases on Agricultural Operations.
  • Test forages for nutritional value and nitrates. Work with a nutritionist to balance rations, dilute nitrates, and "stretch" supplies if inventory is a concern.
  • Reduce storage losses:
    • In dry hay by storing it off the ground or on a well-drained base and keeping it under cover (either tarped or in a shed).
    • In baleage by checking the plastic for holes and promptly taping them closed. Mow grass near bales stored outside to reduce rodent pressure.
    • In haylage by packing the crop to at least 240 g DM/L (15 lbs DM/ft3), and completely sealing the silo.
  • Minimize feed-out losses:
    • Use a feeder to reduce forage waste.
    • Promptly remove spoiled feed from feeders and bunks.
  • Feed dry silage in January/February to counteract heating and minimize the risk of fire.

Pastures

Before
  • Train all livestock to respect an electric fence.
  • Soil test at least once every five years and apply nutrients to maintain results above 12 ppm P and 120 ppm K.
  • Establish species that tolerate dry conditions, such as alfalfa, reed canarygrass, orchardgrass, tall fescue, and creeping red fescue.
  • Implement a rotational grazing system on your farm./li>
  • Consider if Forage Rainfall Insurance offered by Agricorp is the right business risk management tool to help protect your farm's forage supply.
During
  • If you are not rotationally grazing, start!
  • Leave 7.5-10 cm (3-4 in.) of residual grass after each grazing event.
  • Lengthen the amount of rest each paddock receives, so the grass plants have time to grow 3-4 new leaves before re-grazing.
    • Combine groups of animals into one herd/flock.
    • Increase stocking density by offering livestock less space at a time and moving them more frequently.
    • Increase the number of grazed acres by using hayfield regrowth and diversifying your grazing (below).
    • Feed supplemental forage on pasture before livestock run out of grass.
    • If you run out of grazing, pull livestock off the pasture and feed them stored forage until the pasture has recovered.
  • Diversify your grazing.
    • Grain crop stubble can be good grazing for dry cows/ewes.
    • Cover crops can be excellent grazing. Some species are not safe for livestock to eat, while others can pose health risks if not managed carefully. Research the species in the mix before grazing.
    • Grain and oilseed crops may be grazed if the change of use is approved by Agricorp (1-888-247-4999). Check the labels of any crop protection products applied for grazing restrictions. Animal health risks increase once crops start grain fill. Research how to safely graze grain and oilseed crops before starting.
After
  • Apply 55-85 kg/ha (50-75 lbs/acre) of nitrogen to grass pastures in the early fall to encourage tillering.

Standby Emergency Power

Hail

Wind

Air Pollution


For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca