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Being proactive to tackle tar spot

A regional technical manager with FMC says there are things farmers can be doing to protect against tar spot in corn next year.

Gail Stratman tells Brownfield selecting the right hybrid, knowing if the disease is present in the growing area and having good fungicide options are a good way to start.

“Something like our XYWAY fungicide that’s applied at planting can set plants up for better health and if there’s a heavy outbreak of tar spot, I can still come in with a foliar fungicide and finish the crop off through grain fill.”

The fungus prefers cool, humid and wet conditions and he says tar spot was found in portions of the Corn Belt this year.

“We’re seeing a stretch from the Missouri River Valley that had tar spot. It was in pockets, but there were some issues.”

Brownfield interviewed Stratman at the NAFB Convention in Kansas City.