Fusarium strikes again

Wheat damage two years in a row

KEMPTVILLE — Wheat has been hammered again by a nasty fungus.

Early estimates show that at least 50 per cent of this year’s spring wheat crop could be infected by fusarium head blight and be discounted for feed grade, said Kemptville-based OMAFRA crop specialist Scott Banks

Some farmers have seen their entire crop discounted. A Winchester farmer said that the 30 acres he harvested was discounted as feed grade, noting that he earned $104 per tonne, compared to almost $400 per tonne last year. "I’m never planting it again."

Wheat growers typically anticipate fusarium pressure about every five years, not two years in a row. Last year, fusarium decimated wheat, particularly in Carleton County, which is now part of Ottawa. "Last year was one of the worst years we ever had," Banks said, noting that up to 75 per cent of the crop was damaged in eastern Ontario.

At North Gower Grains, Dwight Foster says the problem could be worse than last year. Fusarium has affected "more than 50 per cent" of spring wheat, he said. "It’s now approaching 80 per cent. It’s just as bad as last year. I grew a little less than last year because of fusarium. It’s questionable if we’ll grow any wheat next year."

Foster says what he earned from spring wheat this year didn’t cover the feed and fertilizer bills. "It’s a sad day in agriculture" when the price of straw per acre is approaching the price of one tonne of feed grade wheat, he said.

He faults the wheat board for not tackling the fusarium issue in relation to crop insurance and research.

Farther east in Glengarry County, Darrin Laplante says he hopes he can salvage some of the wheat by cleaning. "It’s my only hope right now," he said. "We’re seeing fusarium all right. We see it in the crop. We’re combining it."

Fusarium also hit Renfrew County wheat. Said crop farmer Larry Reaburn: "Much of it is going to feed grade."

Fusarium spores attack spring wheat at the flowering stage at the end of June and first week of July and thrive on moisture and lack of heat units, which sums up weather conditions this year. Fusarium infected kernels have shrunken, are lighter in weight and often appeared bleached.