Illinois Farm Prepares for Fungicide Applications Amid Disease Pressure

Cliff Lane's farm in north-central Illinois has completed spraying for weeds in corn and soybean fields. The next task will be spraying crops with fungicide to protect them from disease.

The disease pressure is less compared to last year, but some diseases are starting to show up due to weather conditions. Lane is focused on controlling gray leaf spot and rust, which can cause significant yield loss if left unchecked.

Some rust spores have been captured in traps, and Lane expects it will inevitably spread throughout the area. He uses a helicopter to spray fungicide on his farm due to its irregular shape and many wooded areas.