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Optimal conditions for tar spot

While Michigan has yet to confirm tar spot this year, an agronomist says it’s likely only a matter of time.

Jason Fettig is with DEKALB/Asgrow.  “With the impact, it had last year, folks are calling up and sending pictures,” he says.  “But a lot of it right now has been a false alarm.”

He tells Brownfield farmers need to be scouting their fields.  “Areas of concern are these areas where we were wetter this last weekend,” he says.  “We had 1.5” to 2” of rain, which was great for this corn crop, but also most of the weekend it was still wet or the ground was saturated and that moisture under the canopy is there and conditions are just right for it.”

Fettig says fungicide application has had its own set of challenges this summer.  “Growers are having a tough time trying to time out exactly because there is more acres than there are planes to cover and there is not enough ground rigs to cover the taller corn,” he says.  “And it’s a real balancing act.”

AUDIO: Jason Fettig, Michigan

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