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Tar spot causing greater concern in western Corn Belt

A midwestern agronomist expects tar spot to be a top issue again this season as it moves further west.

“As a producer, I would be very concerned about tar spot.”

Dave Hallberg covers northern Iowa for NK Seeds. He tells Brownfield historically tar spot has been an eastern corn belt issue, but has gradually spread west.

“Up until last year it was only in eastern Iowa. Even with the dryer weather in western Iowa we saw tar spot in a lot of plots, so it has actually worked its way across the entire state of Iowa.”

He recommends farmers take a multi-pronged approach to management.

“Selecting a variety that has some tolerance to tar spot and then also coming back with a tassel time application of a high quality fungicide would be the best avenue I think a producer could use.”

He expects it will be at least 3 weeks before farmers start planting in his coverage area.