News

Tar spot causing slight losses

A plant pathologist says the late development of corn tar spot will have a minimal impact on some yields.

Marty Chilvers with Michigan State University tells Brownfield, “I wouldn’t be surprised if there are five-to-10-bushel losses in some areas.”

Chilvers says the disease is known to cause tremendous losses during wetter growing seasons like 2021 and growers are still learning the best ways to manage it.

“For the most part I don’t think we necessarily needed a fungicide application in most parts of Michigan,” he says.  “’Did we break even?’ More than likely given the current corn prices.”

Chilvers says crop scouting and early detection will remain important as farmers combat the disease moving forward.