News

To spray fungicide, or to not spray fungicide

A southern Illinois farmer says deciding if he should spray fungicide this summer has been a challenge.

Matt Rush, who farms in Wayne County, tells Brownfield he’s concerned about his corn crop.

“You know the economics of putting fungicide on $4.00 corn is a tough decision.”  He says, “They’re starting to see a little tar spot in the area from the north and then you know, if you factor in southern rust in the South and a late planted corn crop, it’s kind of a recipe for disaster.”

Dr. Connor Sible, crops researcher at the University of Illinois, says conditions are also right for soybean diseases.

“There’s some disease showing up.”  He says, “We’re going to start now looking for some of those stem rots and foliar diseases. We got one of the wettest July’s on record. I think disease pressure is going to rear its head.”

Sible says he expects fungicide applications to be a profitable decision for farmers this year.

“If you got out there early and you’ve got a phenomenal yield in there, don’t give up on it.”  He says, “If we can protect that yield that we set the potential for, it’ll still come out in the end.”

Rush says he’s also delaying any fungicide applications to extend disease control through as much of the growing season as possible. 

AUDIO: Matt Rush – Wayne County, Illinois farmer