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Agronomist shares tar spot considerations for the ’22

An agronomist is encouraging growers to make management decisions for tar spot in 2022 after increased pressure this year.

Jon Skinner is a regional agronomy manager with Beck’s, the largest family-owned retail seed company in the U.S.

“The first thing that I always tell farmers is let’s select a hybrid that can tolerate tar spot,” he says. “If we select a hybrid and we’re going into a field that has had tar spot in the past and it’s susceptible to tar spot, make sure we have the management practices in place.”  

Speaking during a recent Beck’s webinar, he said fungicide application is critical.

“Know what fungicides are the most active against the diseases we’re trying to control and have a plan on when to attack those fields,” he says.

Skinner says growers should also scout their fields.

“My favorite thing to do is scout fields,” he says. “Get out there, take a look at what you’re dealing with, and make your management decisions based on that.”

Corn tar spot was first discovered in Indiana and Illinois in 2015 and has spread to Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.