Stay Vigilant in the Field

Some rain fell over the weekend, and the crops are looking pretty good. Before long, corn will be tasseling and soybeans will be canopied across the rows. Chemical applications will be nearing completion by the end of the week, and fungicide season will soon be upon us. It may seem like a good time to sit back and relax until harvest, but there are still several things to keep an eye on throughout the growing season.

Take some time to check fields for weed escapes or areas that may not have been sprayed far enough to the field edge. Those weeds can produce seed and create bigger problems next year. Over the last few seasons, I have noticed more brome grass creeping into fields from field borders and terraces. SFG offers full-service crop scouting, so give us a call if you would like another set of eyes on your fields.

It is also important to watch for insect feeding. As mentioned earlier, fungicide applications will begin soon, and adding an insecticide to your fungicide pass may provide an additional return. We have seen insecticides add anywhere from one to two bushels per acre on top of the four to five bushel response commonly seen from fungicide applications. Every field is different, so scouting and evaluating insect pressure can help determine if that added investment makes sense.