What’s Next After Plot Tours?

Discovery Plots concluded just prior to the Labor Day weekend, boasting good turnouts, a wealth of agronomic information, good questions (and answers), and tasty steaks -- not to mention walks thru the plots that showed some impressive hybrids and varieties.
 
With Discovery Plot Days wrapped up, your Federated Agronomists now turn to helping you set the stage for 2026 with seed ordering, financing options, and important things to look for this fall.  
 
At the top of this fall’s list is tar spot, which was discussed at length during at the plot tours. Kevin Carlson, Federated’s agronomy sales manager, said, “We found a lot of tar spot in the plots, and all but one plot was sprayed with Miravis Neo®.” The hope is to minimize impact to yield as a result of the well-timed fungicide application.
 
The Albertville plots set up a comparison – sprayed vs. unsprayed – demonstrating the significant difference in corn leaf health when the crop was treated to prevent tar spot (see photo).
 
Carlson said, “Now is the time to do three things”:

1. Scout your fields for tar spot between now and harvest. It’s too late to treat the 2025 crop, but at least you will be ready for next year (tar spot spores overwinter in crop residue).
2. Select hybrids that have a better tolerance for tar spot.
3. Consider your treatment options for 2026.
   • Corn needs to be treated for tar spot between VT and R2 stages (tassel to brown silk) with a good fungicide. The goal is to get the fungicide to last long enough for the crop to finish well without impact to yield. “If you miss that window of application,” Carlson said, “the performance, protections [from hybrids and fungicides], and ROI will be impacted.” Timing is important.

Talk to your Federated Agronomist to learn more about any topic discussed at Discover Plot Days. The agronomy team sends a big “thank you” to all of the growers who attended thr tour. Give us a call with any questions.