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GROWMARK: Less fungicide being applied in 2024 compared to 2023

The vice president of crop protection with Growmark says the co-operative’s customers are utilizing less fungicide this year compared to last.

Jeff Bunting says good looking crops and lower commodity prices are having an impact.

“So, it all depends on maybe the crop conditions, but I think overall we’ll probably call it down from last year.”  He says, “It’s hard to top what happened last year, but we still have a long ways to go and I might be surprised here as we close out August.”

Bunting says crop conditions can change quickly.

“It’s been a long year for the overall business with things starting in March and we’re still going today.”  He says, “Still airplanes flying, helicopters still flying, and applications being made.  We’re still seeing diseases. We’re still seeing insects and so this may drag on for another month or so.”

He tells Brownfield disease pressure is increasing as the summer progresses.

“You know, still seeing a lot of disease possibilities.”  He says, “Tar spot is showing up in some areas, grey leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight. That’s why we’re still seeing planes flying around today still trying to protect those crops and maximize the yield potential.”

Bunting says he’s primarily concerned about tar spot in corn and white mold in soybeans given the warm and humid forecasts ahead.

Bunting spoke with Brownfield at the recent Innerplant CropVoice Field Day outside of Galesburg, Illinois.

AUDIO: Jeff Bunting – GROWMARK

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