2024 was a bad year for corn diseases, and 2025 was even worse!

I heard that statement from many farmers across the Corn Belt this winter. Does that mean 2026 will be bad, too? Not necessarily, but does that mean you should prepare like it could be?

Absolutely. And I’ll tell you how. But first, some key principles…

  1. In order to preserve maximum yield potential and get the highest return on your fungicide investments, you must treat before the plant is infected with disease.
  2. Foliar fungicides only protect the leaves and plant tissue they are sprayed on. New leaves that emerge later are not protected.
  3. Foliar fungicides typically only last (and prevent disease infection) for 2 to 3 weeks. After that, re-application is needed to extend the window of protection.