Tar spot is caused by a fungus called Phyllachora maydis that can spread throughout corn fields in the Midwest. This disease was first found in 2015, but has quickly spread throughout Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri.
Certain areas around the Midwest have received significant hail damage to crops in recent days and weeks. After damage has occurred it is important to wait at least 5 days before assessing. This gives the crop the appropriate time to regrow and allows you to more accurately evaluate stand loss.
Midseason is near. Midseason is crucial. Midseason is when you make the decision to move forward as a money saver or a money maker.
The delayed planting season makes it easier for pests like black cutworm to invade. Black cutworm, the most damaging cutworm species in corn, is a migratory pest that shows up in the spring with storms.
What surprised me was seeing lighting bugs out so early in the year. There were not very many, but they were out and flying.
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