August is here and the corn is looking, by and large, pretty good. But we can't take our eye off the ball! Disease pressure is ticking up, and we all know how quickly a positive yield outlook can turn sour.
On today's episode, the agronomy team shares crop updates from Illinois and Iowa, checks in on aphid management, and covers the latest with tar spot & southern rust. Shoutout to our "junior agronomist", Gracie, for joining us to celebrate the 100th episode!
Crop Updates and Insights
As we delve into regional crop conditions, Robbie Meeker provided a valuable update on the current situation in eastern Illinois and Indiana. With recent weather patterns affecting crops differently, he pointed out that while some areas are thriving, others are facing challenges with pests like aphids.
"A couple of years ago when we had 'em, you kind of looked at some of the thresholds... I think we definitely realize that that's too high." - Ryan Gentle
Ryan emphasized the need for farmers to take aphid infestations seriously, as they can significantly impact yields. The discussion highlighted the lesson learned from past experiences, where late intervention led to damage that could have been avoided.
Disease Management in Crops
Fungicide decisions were another hot topic, especially concerning the mid-May plantings that suffered from excessive rainfall. Robbie shared insights from Wyffels' research, suggesting that economically, it often makes sense to spray even when only a portion of the field is affected.
Eric reminded us that vigilance is key, urging farmers to scout for diseases like southern rust and gray leaf spot, which have been confirmed in some areas but are less prominent this year compared to last.
"I think coming off of last year, everyone's on a little bit of high alert." - Eric Wilson
With the pressure on crops lower than in previous seasons, this episode serves as a reminder of the importance of staying informed and engaged throughout the growing season.
This bi-weekly podcast focuses on answering questions and exploring challenges corn growers face every day. At Wyffels, we believe in independence. We're an independent, farm family-owned seed corn company, and we believe independence allows us to be a better seed partner. We have one central purpose, and that's to help our farmer neighbors be more productive and profitable.
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