2022 ONHops BrewOff Registration Now Open!

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Evan Elford

After a one year hiatus, the ONHops BrewOff is back at the OFVC for another round of exciting and friendly competition highlighting Ontario grown hops and Ontario craft beer!

Registration is now open for the 2022 competition. This year’s beer style is: (BJCP 18B) American Pale Ale

Overall Impression from the BJCP Style Guidelines: A pale, refreshing and hoppy ale, yet with sufficient supporting malt to make the beer balanced and drinkable. The clean hop presence can reflect classic or modern American or New World hop varieties with a wide range of characteristics. An average-strength hop-forward pale American craft beer, generally balanced to be more accessible than modern American IPAs.

For complete style information, rules, critical dates and to register, please visit the competition webpage at: https://www.ofvc.ca/ONHOPS_about.html

New for 2022 – Pre-Judging and Public Judging:

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ONHoppenings Lunch and Learn Season Wrap Up- Wednesday, September 29 @ Noon

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Melanie Filotas

Overview: Join OMAFRA specialists Evan Elford and Melanie Filotas for bi-monthly online Zoom discussions about Ontario hops. Evan and Melanie will be continuing to host a series of hop related discussions in 2021.

This month we have a slight change in the date of our regular ONHoppenings discussions, the Lunch and Learn will take place on Wednesday, September 29 from 12-1pm. Attendance is free and open to anyone, however you must pre-register to receive the meeting log-in details. Anyone wishing to ask questions in advance can email Evan (evan.elford@ontario.ca) or Melanie (melanie.filotas@ontario.ca) by 8:30 am on Tuesday, September 28 OR enter it in the question field when you register and we will do our best to have a thorough answer during the session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

This month we will briefly discuss:

  • Season wrap up and fall checklist – production and pest management
  • Fall herbicides
  • Sneak Peak: Hop Variety Guide for Brewers
  • And of course, we will have time for general discussion and Q&A!

Please join us by REGISTERING HERE for September 29:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqc-2vqDwsHNfnnWcOvhQ-P0-3AF2pszVA

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Ginseng Crop Update – Fall Armyworm on Rye Cover Crops – August 31, 2021

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Sean Westerveld

Growers are noting significant damage from fall armyworm on rye cover crops used before ginseng planting and rye nurse crops used to anchor the straw after planting. Wheat is also likely to be affected. There has been a major outbreak of fall armyworm on multiple crops over the past few days. For more information and photos of this pest, see this article in Field Crop News:

Fall Armyworm Alert – Forages, Corn, Cereals and Others at Risk

As noted in the article if the larvae are 2.5 cm (1 in.) long or longer, then it is too late to get good control with insecticides. This is usually the stage at which growers take note of the damage. Insects will feed for another week or two and will be done for the year. If it is too late to control them, waiting two weeks and then re-seeding is the best option. This will ensure the insects are done feeding before the new plants emerge.

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Are Garden Fleahoppers a Problem on Lavender?

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Sean Westerveld

By Estella Crosby, Summer Research Assistant, OMAFRA

Garden fleahopper (Microtechnites bractatus) is an occasionally severe pest of lavender and potentially other perennial members of the mint family, especially when grown over black plastic mulch where warmer temperatures promote faster development and produce more generations per year. Garden fleahoppers have also been observed in higher numbers in angustofolia cultivars than lavandin cultivars. 

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Hazelnut Production Update August 24, 2021

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Jenny Liu

Guide to Hazelnut Production is Live

Hard copies of OMAFRA Publication 863: Guide to Hazelnut Production in Ontario are now available for purchase! Click here to be taken to the site.

As a reminder, the free PDF version is also available for download here.

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What is the Value of the Ginseng Canopy Late in the Season? Ginseng Crop Update August 18, 2021

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Sean Westerveld

Ginseng growers have faced many weather-related challenges this year that have stunted the canopy, increased disease, caused earlier senescence of leaves and collapsed shade structures. When making decisions about how much to invest in protecting the ginseng canopy after damage to the canopy or the shade structure, it is important to keep in mind how much of this year’s photosynthesis has already occurred and how much you may be protecting.

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