
Episode #18
Tar Spot in Corn: When Is Fungicide Still Worth It?
As Carl explains to Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, the goal isn’t simply to spray on a predetermined calendar date. It’s about understanding disease development, the environment and the crop in front of you — and making an application when it has the best chance of protecting yield and delivering a return. Listen for a conversation about Pioneer’s Fungicide Timing Solution, disease thresholds, fungicide timing, hybrid selection, late-season plant health, and the role weather plays in disease development. The group also discusses what growers can learn from this year’s tar spot pressure, including how to scout earlier, document disease development, and make management decisions based on the specific hybrid, environment, and crop stage. Outstanding in Your Field is the podcast created for farmers and powered by Pioneer Agronomy—bringing you trusted insights and proven solutions to fuel forward-thinking farming. Hosted by agronomists Brian Schrader (eastern Indiana), Carl Joern (northwest Indiana/northeast Illinois), and Crystal Williams (northern Illinois), this show delivers timely, practical agronomic advice you can apply directly to your fields across the Eastern Corn Belt.

