By Jamie Martin
Farmers across many growing regions have faced a challenging season marked by variable weather conditions. Heavy rainfall, delayed planting, and field stress created obstacles early in the year, but crop development has improved in many areas as the season progresses.
“There is a good amount of crop that looks good across my geography,” said Andrea Cowsert, retail sales agronomist for Brevant® seeds in Illinois. “Even though there was a lot of variability this spring and that presents its own challenges, we can still anticipate some positive results this harvest.”
With hotter temperatures arriving during the summer months, growers continue to focus on keeping crops healthy through maturity. Heat stress, limited moisture, and disease pressure can all affect yield performance if not managed carefully.
Industry experts emphasize that fungicides remain an important tool for supporting crop health. When applied at the proper time, fungicides can help reduce disease pressure and assist plants in coping with environmental challenges. Strong, healthy crops are more likely to maintain productivity and reach their yield goals.
Disease monitoring is especially important during the later stages of the growing season. Tar spot has become a key concern in several production areas and may affect yield potential if left unmanaged. Regular field scouting allows growers to identify problems early and work with crop advisors to determine the most effective response.
Many farmers are exploring two-pass fungicide programs to extend protection during critical periods of crop development. These strategies are increasingly being considered as part of a comprehensive crop management approach aimed at protecting yield and maintaining plant health.
Planning for future growing seasons is also underway. Agronomic experts recommend selecting seed varieties with strong genetic characteristics that can help defend against disease challenges. Traits such as drought tolerance, standability, and positive response to fungicide applications can provide additional advantages in changing weather conditions.
Photo Credit: istock-cactusoup
Categories: National