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A cost-per-bushel approach

A crop protection expert says growers should prioritize cost-per-bushel over cost-per-acre.

BASF Northern Corn Belt area manager John Sabatka tells Brownfield incremental investments often lead to additional yields.

“And as we look at 2017, what we need in light of commodity prices are more bushels.  As we look at this growing season, fungicides, although not widely used, have proven a consistent return for growers who have incorporated that into their production plans.”

He says BASF research indicates the optimum time for fungicide application in soybeans is between the R2 and R3 stage, and at tasseling for corn.

“Oftentimes in soybeans, the growers are equipped to self-apply.  And that market is accessible to us with ground application Priaxor.  Along the I-90 corridor, there’s a consistent five bushel yield increase.”

He says timely fungicide applications have improved corn yields 10 to 20 bushels per acre.

Sabatka adds reducing fungicide rates in an effort to reduce costs diminishes consistency, often leading to a lower return on investment.