News

Tar spot remains a mystery

A crop protection specialist says while tar spot in corn doesn’t appear to be as severe as last year, it’s more widespread throughout Michigan.

“Last year it was more in Western Michigan, Southwest Michigan, now we’re seeing it across the whole state and over into the Thumb.”        

Trevor Clayton with Syngenta tells Brownfield because corn was planted so late this year, disease issues will impact the reproductive stage.

“Stressed plants seemed to be where we saw more fields and plants with tar spot last year so it will be interesting to see how we correlate things this year.”

He says more won’t be known until September and October, but researchers are working on better understanding when to spray for the disease. 

Clayton hosted ag retailers and farmers this week in Sidney to see new technologies on their Syngenta Grow More potato Experience site.