By Jonathan Eisenthal
Fungal infection can steal a few bushels of corn, but left uncontrolled it can take half the crop. This time of year, farmers and ag workers get out to spray fungicide from high clearance vehicles, drones and airplanes.
The two main concerns in southern Minnesota are fungal infections known as Southern Rust and Tar Spot. The fungi use airborne spores to spread and reproduce. Tar Spot, which can over-winter, is endemic in southern Minnesota, but Southern Rust relies on strong southern winds to bring its spores to Minnesota crops each year. Minnesota farmers can watch for reports out of Iowa to alert them when Southern Rust is coming their way.
Many farmers and agronomists are out there scouting in mid-to-late July, because the spores are visible on the leaves, even before infection sets in. Then it’s a question of the best timing for the treatment.
“Are we trying to get more plant health or are we try to make sure the fungicide is on there, as a preventative, before the disease ends up setting in?” explained Brandon Fast. Fast farms in the Mountain Lake area. He keeps very close watch of timing issues because he also has a retail business for seeds and chemical controls, including fungicide.
Click here to see more...