Ever since tar spot leaf disease first hit Ontario corn growers’ radar back in 2019, extension specialists and industry have been working diligently to stay a step ahead of the yield-robbing disease.
Seed companies have identified hybrids in their product lineups with stronger resistance to the disease and also worked with growers to effectively manage high-yielding hybrids that have weaker tar spot defence; and crop protection companies have developed effective fungicide products that provide strong disease defence when applied at tassel (VT/RI) or when used in a double-application strategy.
But like most things in farming, when it comes to tar spot, every year appears to be different and farmers need to be ready for a new twist in the tar spot story. In this interview from Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Ont., Pioneer agronomist Gregg Stopps shares observations on the tar spot challenge in 2024. He also offers some harvest management tips for growers and how fall scouting and harvest observations can help them plan for 2025.
In the video, Stopps looks at the geographic spread of tar spot. He notes that the disease continues to expand its footprint to areas north of London, Ont., and is causing significant damage with the aid of favourable weather conditions. The disease was also late arriving in many fields, and with its rapid life cycle, has the potential to impact yield in the weeks before harvest. Watch the video below.
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