Time to Be Scouting for Corn Diseases: Including Tar Spot
The counties in yellow are positive for 2023. The counties in gray show where it was found last year. It is early in the season, but conditions have been ideal for disease development. Officially, we do not have any confirmed positives for Tar Spot in NY or right around us yet on the map, but I have heard that it has been found. Southern Ontario and just into Michigan is positive this week. We also have the first county in SE Pennsylvania to go hot. Indiana is starting to go yellow this week also. I spent some time with folks down in Arkport and Portageville scouting corn on Tuesday. This is where tar spot was found last year in southern Livingston County. We found plenty of gray leaf spot along the river but no tar spot.
Below is the Tar Spot map from July 25. https://corn.ipmpipe.org/tarspot/.
We know that certain hybrids and BMR’s can be more susceptible. Much of our corn is at VT (tasseling) and some into R1 (silking) and it is time to make a decision about spraying a fungicide or not. Here is a review article on tar spot that I wrote for AgFocus last August, https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/pdf/newsletter/pdf344_pdf.pdf. When scouting, look for the distinct raised, black, shiny spots that can’t be wiped or scratched off. If you suspect that you have found tar spot, please take a picture and forward it to me (585-764-8452) and I’ll be happy to come out and take a look.
Don’t Miss Out on the 2023 NY Corn & Soybean Yield Contests
The annual corn and soybean yield contests sponsored by the New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association are underway. The yield contest entry form and contest rules can be found here: https://nwnyteam.cce.cornell.edu/. Entry forms must be postmarked by August 30. Entries can be mailed to Ashley Knapp at Genesee County CCE, 420 East Main St., Batavia, NY 14020 or emailed to ak2367@cornell.edu. Questions: contact Mike Stanyard at 585-764-8452. Cost is $30 per entry. This year the overall corn and soybean champions win an all-expense paid trip for two to the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston, TX.
Next report will be August 2.
