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Agronomist: Check your stalks

Growing conditions for corn have generally been pretty good across the Eastern Corn Belt.  But some areas have seen excessive rainfall; and in those areas, Brian Early, product agronomist for Pioneer says disease pressure is heavy.  “More towards the Ohio state line we have pockets of diseases,” he says.  “Grey leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight are two diseases that we usually see every year but are a little higher this year than we’ve seen in the past.”

Since we’re past the window of application for fungicides, Early says the best thing a grower can do is monitor their stalks.  “The corn plant will take away from the stalks to fill the ears,” he says.  “On those fields that have some stress, whether it is drought stress or disease stress make sure you check your stalks and see how strong they are.  Then prioritize them for harvest.”

Like the weather conditions, Early is anticipating variability in yields, too.

AUDIO: Brian Early, Pioneer (2:00mp3)

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