Field Crop Update

Crop Update & Scouting Reminder – June 24

This growing season has certainly presented its challenges, particularly with weather conditions impacting the timing and effectiveness of field applications across the Island. While some operations haven’t gone as planned, it is important to remember that we are all doing our best to manage what is within our control.

At this time of year, one of the most valuable tools we have is field scouting. Take the time to walk your fields and observe crop conditions closely. Even if technology isn’t readily available in the moment, simple written notes can go a long way.  Dad always wore a shirt with a chest pocket for his notepad and pencil.  Using your mobile phone to take field photos can be very helpful, as most devices automatically record the date and GPS location.  This creates a reliable record you can refer to during post-harvest evaluation. Recording what you are seeing now will help inform decisions later, especially when reviewing performance post-harvest and identifying opportunities for improvement next season.

Despite the challenges, crop conditions overall are looking good across much of PEI, which is encouraging.

However, we are beginning to see stripe rust pressure increasing, particularly in fields that have not received fungicide applications. Even fields that received a single fungicide pass are now showing infection, as the protection window from earlier applications has reached its limit.

Maintaining plant health and green leaf area is critical at this stage. Stripe rust is present in all three counties of PEI so all cereal crops, in particular wheat, barley and oats. Growers should strongly consider a follow-up fungicide application to protect yield potential and keep crops healthy.

As always, continue to monitor conditions closely, make timely management decisions where possible, and focus on what you can control. I will continue to provide additional management considerations in upcoming updates.

Scouting Tips

Now is an ideal time to check spring cereals, corn, soybeans, peas, and canola. When you are in the field, watch for:

• Uneven growth or yellowing
• Chewing damage or insect activity
• Wilting, stunting, or poor root development

A simple W or Z walking pattern across your fields will help ensure you’re getting a representative view, rather than relying on field edges alone. 

Tools for your farm vehicle to have on hand like a shovel, trowel, pocketknife, hand lens and some paper lunch bags (for plant or leaf samples) can also help you better assess roots, soil conditions, and pest presence.

Spring Cereal Update

With the cooler and wetter conditions, we have experienced this season, disease pressure is something to keep a close eye on. Conditions have been favourable for early infection, and what we are seeing in winter wheat suggests similar risks for spring cereals.

Key diseases to monitor include:

• Powdery Mildew – thrives in humid conditions (15–20°C)
• Septoria Leaf Spot – favoured by wet weather early in the season
• Stripe Rust – develops in cooler, moist conditions
• Crown Rust (Oats) – spreads quickly during warm, humid periods
• Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) – highest risk during flowering in warm, wet weather

For fungicide decisions:

• Continue scouting regularly and base applications on crop stage and variety susceptibility
• Flag leaf and heading stages remain critical timings
• This year, a two-pass fungicide strategy may be warranted

Proper timing is critical, especially for FHB where the optimal spray window is narrow around head emergence and early flowering. 

FHB Risk Forecast Tool Now Available

The Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) Risk Forecast Tool is now live on the Atlantic Grains Council website. This tool provides timely, region-specific risk assessments to help growers make informed disease management decisions throughout the growing season.

My Observations Scouting (June 21-24)

If you have fields of concern or are noticing anything unusual, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

View update for photo observations

Cereal crop development is measured by progress through growth stages.  These stages help in measuring crop performance and making informed management decisions.  Accurate growth staging allows for the timing of applications, ensuring that inputs are applied at the right time to maximize effectives and minimize waste.  

A great factsheet from the Atlantic Grains Council website: Accurate Growth Staging in Cereal Grain Crops.

T3 Fungicide Management for Plant Health and Fusarium Head Blight  

This weather we have been having this week is favorable for many cereal diseases but with winter wheat heading and flowering it is important to protect your crop from Fusarium Head Blight (FHB).  We want to protect grain quality and minimize DON toxin levels.   Yield is generated by healthy active photosynthetic (green tissue) leaf area. 

View update for photo observations

Corn Update

At Corn Growth Stage V3 the seed is no longer contributing to growth and now needs sunlight (photosynthesis) for energy.  Seminal roots have reached their maximum size, and nodal roots continue to develop.  Root hairs are now visible on nodal roots. 

Control of grass and broadleaves are critical to avoid significant yield loss by V4 (4 leaf collars).

View update for photo observations

Soybean Update

This VC stage or Unifoliate: These leaves are the main nutrient source for young plants for up to 10 days after emergence.  The unifoliate (leaves) are exposed to sunlight (photosynthesis) and draw for energy.  The unifoliolate leaves unfold first.  The next leaves to uncurl have 3 leaflets each and are called the trifoliate.  

Soybeans are poor competitors against weeds.  Weed control is critical before the soybeans reach 3 trifoliate growth stage which is roughly 20 days after crop emergence.  If you can control weeds during this time, you will have minimal yield loss from weeds. 

Soybean Scouting: 

• Emergence issues
• Soil crusting or compaction
• Early weed pressure

View update for photo observations

Seasonal Conditions to Date

Overall, the 2026 growing season on PEI has been:

• Cooler than the past two years, resulting in slower crop development
• Adequately to above-average moisture, supporting good soil moisture but delaying heat accumulation

This has been particularly noticeable in corn and soybeans, which rely more heavily on higher temperatures and heat unit accumulation. Growing Degree Days (GDD) tell us how much time within a certain period the temperature has been within that range. GDD is strongly linked to plant growth stages, insect life cycles, and disease emergence. This allows us to predict what stage of growth a crop should be at, as well as when to expect the appearance of different pests or diseases. Having this information can help with decision making regarding things like harvest and pesticide/herbicide applications.

Simple Guide

• Base 0°C → Cereals (wheat, barley, oats)
• Base 5°C → Canola, alfalfa and forages
• Base 10°C → Corn, Soybeans, Vegetables, Fruit Trees

View update for growing degree day charts

European Corn Borer Outlook

Dr. Suqi Liu, the Dept. of Agriculture Chief Plant Health Officer has provided the following cumulative growing degree day model for the emergence of European corn borer. Growing degree days are an accumulation of heat units, which is used to predict the growth and development of insect pests. Some seasons are cooler or warmer than others, so predicting pest emergence (i.e. first catch of the season) using a calendar date is not reliable year-to-year. For European corn borer, average daily temperatures above 10°C have been accumulating since March 1st.

View update for ECB prediction model

So, what does this mean? Dr. Suqi Liu started catching adult moths at 183 CDD in 2025. So, when the GDDs start to approach 183 in your region, it is a good indication that you should start scouting for this pest.

• Summerside predicted emergence threshold: June 27th\
• Maple Plains predicted emergence threshold: June 29th

Adult European corn borer moths begin to mate shortly after they emerge, so around this threshold of 183, you should begin trapping moths or scouting for egg masses.

Information on scouting for corn borer and effective Bt proteins can be found here

As we approach these thresholds, now is the time to begin scouting for:

• Adult moth activity
• Egg masses

ACE Network Update

The Atlantic Grains Council has announced that the regional Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) will now operate under a new name: the Atlantic Crop Enhancement (ACE) Network. The updated name reflects the program’s continued focus on improving crop performance, supporting data-driven decision-making, and strengthening collaboration across the Atlantic region. 

Registration for ACE deadline will be the end of June. 

For more information, please contact:
Steve Howatt, ACE Network Coordinator
Phone:  902-394-0645   or Email : steve@bremsa.ca

Herbicide Decision Tool Available

Dr. Andrew McKenzie Gopsill has developed an Herbicide Decision Tool, now available through the Atlantic Grains Council. This resource helps growers choose appropriate herbicide options based on crop and weed management scenarios, supporting more effective and informed field decisions.

Refer to the Atlantic Grains Councils factsheet on Weed Management for Field Crops in Atlantic Canada.

Final Thoughts

• Staying on top of scouting—many issues can develop quickly under current conditions
• Use crop staging, field history, and weather forecasts to guide management decisions
• Early detection and timely action remain key to protecting yield and quality

Please reach out if you have any questions or would like support.

Stay Connected

Producers and industry partners are encouraged to reach out at any time throughout the season with questions, concerns, or for field-specific guidance.

I look forward to meeting with growers across Prince Edward Island and working together through the growing season. Whether you need support with scouting, management decisions, or discussing field conditions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Your observations and feedback are invaluable in strengthening our understanding of crop conditions across the Island.

Prepared by: 

Patti Ann Baird Gill, CCA
Cereal and Oilseeds Development Officer
PEI Department of Agriculture

Disclaimer

This update is provided for informational purposes only and reflects current conditions and best available information at the time of publication. Weather patterns, soil conditions, and crop responses can vary significantly across locations and over time. Management practices, fertilizer rates, and application timing should be based on individual field conditions, soil test results, and professional judgment. Producers are encouraged to consult with a certified agronomist or other qualified advisor before making management decisions.

The information presented does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of any specific product, practice, or management strategy, and no liability is assumed for actions taken based on this information.