Page 16 - Vol. 39-No.4 issue

CROP PROTECTION

TIGHT MARGINS AND POTENTIAL FOR

DISEASE PRESSURE WARRANT FUNGICIDES TO

PROTECT CROP YIELDS

This season, growers once again face brands. And several name-brand products Yet this opens crops up to later season
a battle with high input prices and mar- remain in short supply compared to the disease issues such as ear, stem and stalk
ket volatility that puts their profitability post-patent alternatives. rots. Corn and soybean growers alike will
at risk. A cool, wet spring and continu- “With these factors in play, post-patent want to monitor closely for disease to stay
ing wet weather patterns across much fungicides, herbicides and insecticides are on top of them after a wet spring.
of the country threaten to increase the even more appealing this year,” said Burke. Risks for corn diseases in 2023:
risk of disease in row crops. As growers “They are a grower’s best ally in fighting
prepare for 2023 fungicide applications, back to minimize costs and protect crops •Tar spot
they should be looking at economics and from yield-robbing diseases, weeds and •Anthracnose
product availability, determining how many insect pests.” •Northern corn leaf blight
times they are going to treat versus if they •Rusts
are going to treat. And as several major •Crown rot
manufacturers face price increases again, Soybean disease threats in 2023:
their post-patent counterparts provide an •Seedling diseases like pythium and
affordable alternative. fusarium
•Phytophthora root rot
“Given the risk potential for disease this •White mold
year, the high prices of corn and soybeans
make it simple for growers to apply a fungi- Last year was very dry, so there were
cide and get a yield benefit and incremental fewer white mold infections than normal
margin from it,” said Aaron Burke, business but that will change in 2023 with the in-
unit lead, North with Atticus LLC. Burke stressed the importance of staying creased moisture levels already affecting
the Central Plains states.
“When you combine the yield bump that in close contact with a trusted local crop
you can get with fungicides, regardless of protection retailer and remaining vigilant “If we trend back to any normal levels or
disease pressure, it is important for growers in scouting as the season goes on, both have higher levels of moisture throughout
to plan for at least two fungicide appli- for management decisions this year and the growing season, we’re going to see
cations this year,” said Burke. “The data for planning for 2024. The local retailer increased levels of white mold infections
overwhelmingly shows that sequential, can help recommend a long-lasting and this year that growers need to be ready
or two applications, especially on highly potentially multi-ingredient fungicide to to manage,” said Burke.
responsive hybrids, will outperform a single provide disease protection as long as pos- “Overall, it’s important for farmers to in-
fungicide application. Even in the absence sible throughout the season. vest in fungicides to maximize yields given
of disease, a fungicide application to corn “Growers are going to experience yield this spring’s unfavorable weather conditions
at tassel can increase yield, sometimes to enhancement and disease protection from and continued high commodity prices. The
double digits of bushels.” their application,” he added. “At harvest, fact that we’re going to be putting the crop
Historically, corn growers have had a we advise tracking and documenting data in a little late this year, combined with the
choice between a V5 application and a VT from different fields—including their level softening of post-patent fungicide prices,
application. A wetter year, like 2023 so far, of infection, how the fungicides performed makes the ROI of fungicide applications a
will benefit from applications at both stag- and additional yield—to help growers make no-brainer,” Burke concluded.
es, as well as a seed treatment at planting. more informed decisions going forward Circle 16 on enquiry card
“2023 will require a disciplined approach about where, when and how to use fun-
to product selection and application,” said gicides on their farms.”
Burke. “As growers consider the timing of When it comes to fungicide selection, ADVERTISE IN
ADVERTISE IN
their applications, they should be commu- the number one consideration for growers
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nicating with their retailers for insights on is field history and the historical challenge THE ARAB WORLD
relevant, affordable fungicide products as each individual farm or field has had.
AGRIBUSINESS
well as help with scouting.” Diseases to look for in 2023 AGRIBUSINESS
Product availability and This year, areas like the Dakotas that MAGAZINE AND
MAGAZINE AND
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again taken a price increase on most of their year’s drought persists, growers are more
likely to instead face insect pest pressures.

14 Vol. 39 No. 4