In the next week or so, corn fields across Iowa will start to tassel and the buzz of crop dusters will no doubt join the buzz of insects. Research has consistently shown that the best time to apply a fungicide to manage foliar diseases, like tar spot, southern rust, northern corn leaf blight and gray leaf spot, is at tassel (VT) through milk (R3) stage. But do you really need to spray a fungicide? Fungicides protect yield potential by reducing foliar disease within the canopy.

Crop Lookout is a new interactive tool on the Crop Protection Network. This interactive map shows real-time what has been observed in fields this growing season, not only in Iowa but across the U.S. and in Canada. It can help farmers and agronomists see what’s being found in fields to help guide local scouting and management decisions. 

From industrial applications to hobbyist platforms, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, have rapidly integrated into the agricultural landscape. Equipped with high-resolution sensors, these aerial platforms have fundamentally altered how modern production agriculture monitors crop development.

Reports of tar spot from Madison, Jaspar and Calhoun counties have been received over the weekend and today (June 13-15, 2026). The disease is present at very low incidence (one to a few plants in a field) and low severity (one spot on a leaf).  In addition, the disease is being observed on the lowest leaves of the canopy.

With Spring here and crop stands beginning to grow, it is time to shift focus to the next operation of the 2026 growing season: spraying. These operations are "make or break" for crop health, whether you are applying weed control, warding off insects, or managing bacteria and fungus. While these operations require financial and time investments, performing proper maintenance and calibrations directly impacts success rates and your ultimate return on investment.