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Farmers looking at fungicides in 2025

A technical marketing manager with BASF says 2024 is a reminder of the challenges brought on by crop diseases.

Kim Tutor tells Brownfield across the Midwest two diseases in corn were at the forefront.

“Tar spot and southern rust.”  She says, “I think southern rust surprised a lot of people.  We had those hurricanes that came in kind of midseason really push that northward.  It made its way all the way up to Minnesota, which I would say is not typical.  Tar spot came in earlier than ever.  We found it back in May down in Kansas.”

She says it’s a good reminder for those producers making plans for 2025.

“Over time we’re seeing growers more and more are adopting fungicides.  They’re becoming part of that plan.”  She says, “I think that’s because they’ve learned, and they’ve seen that there are benefits outside of that disease control.  Things like optimizing your growth efficiency and reducing your environmental stress.”

Tutor says fungicides also bring added plant longevity and standability in the fall.

AUDIO: Kim Tudor – BASF