Data from Beck’s Practical Farm Research (PFR)® studies show that there are several multiple mode of action (MOA) fungicides, that when applied at VT/R1, have provided a positive return on investment (ROI). When applying a fungicide, farmers not only expect to protect their crop from yield-robbing leaf diseases but also to improve late-season standability by reducing stalk rot infection and maximizing harvestability.

In the past, plant nutrition management was largely focused on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, since these nutrients are needed in the greatest quantity. Reports and field observations of early-season “striped corn” have become more common across the Midwest over the past decade.

Do you know what herbicide damage in soybeans looks like? Over the past week, I have responded to a number of calls from farmers whose soybeans were showing symptoms of damage from metribuzin herbicide.
 

Recent scouting has show that the suboptimal planting conditions experienced in McLean County, Illinois are having some impact on the corn crops in the area. As corn approaches the V3 growth stage, I have found that populations are lower than what was planted due to issues with sidewall compaction.
 

Many areas of the Midwest have been experiencing a significant amount of dry weather over the last few weeks. Because of this I have received a number of calls and questions from farmers regarding floppy corn (rootless corn) syndrome. In this video, I am in East Central Illinois in a field that was planted on May 10, 2017. Since planting, this area has gone through a significant dry spell, which is uncommon for the area.

Did you know that Septoria brown spot (SBS), also know as brown spot, is the second biggest disease threat to soybean yield after soybean cyst nematodes?
 
Since SBS has the potential to reduce soybean yields more than most farmers and agronomists realize, it's important to implement additional attention and control measures to manage this disease.

One of the most common questions this year has been what effects will the warm winter have on crop production for 2017? Will we see increased insect pressure, weeds, diseases, and crop stres? Only time will tell, but the lack of frozen soils usually means more issues with insects and diseases that can overwinter.

With harvest completion just around the corner, fall field work including fertilizer applications and tillage operations will be top priority. If you are applying dry fertilizer this fall, now is the best time to utilize yield maps for VRT applications based on crop removal. 

As the growing season comes to an end, it’s always a good idea to review weather records and the various practices that you experimented with on your farms. Once again, weather events created challenges throughout the 2016 growing season that were beyond our control.

I have received a number of calls from customers over the past few weeks, so I wanted to provide some updates on a few of the hot topics as we continue to monitor the development of our corn and soybean crops.