Updated disease tracker for this week. Compared to last year, disease risk and also field observations are substantially lower at this time. Fungicide timing model will likely start having spray calls starting later next week. Contact your local Pioneer Sales Rep with questions.

Be sure what is in (or not in!) your fungicide surfactant! Some individuals are calling for fungicide applications to begin now... Prior to tassel fungicide applications made with a surfactant must be APE/NPE FREE!!! If your surfactant has APE/NPE in them, a before tassel application could likely result in arrested ear syndrome, causing very large yield losses!!! Be sure to check what you are applying if you are going before tassel! On a side note, I do not feel fungicide applications should begin now in the geography that I cover.

Planter Setting Watchout! Not much activity so far this spring in NE IA for planting but will be picking up quickly today and tomorrow. Every planter I have been in the field with has had at least one (most 3-4) row where the gauge wheels are not running up tight against the disc openers and allowing dry soil in bottom of trench. Check each row and make adjustments! You will likely need to use a flat tool and pull soil with the row to find this. Digging down with a knife or screwdriver will likely keep this hidden. youtube.com/shorts/I_5IEimTz…