After a severe southern rust outbreak in 2025, corn growers in the Midwest braced for another challenging season in 2026. However, the anticipated widespread disease pressure never materialized, leaving farmers to contend with unexpected late-season issues instead.
Alison Robertson, Iowa State University Extension field crops pathologist, and Tamra Jackson-Ziems, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension plant pathologist, discussed the season’s surprises on the I See Dead Plants podcast. They emphasized the importance of adapting management practices rather than reacting to past disease patterns. Robertson noted that despite favorable conditions for southern rust, other diseases like tar spot and late-season rots became more problematic.
Jackson-Ziems highlighted that tar spot in some Nebraska fields caused premature plant death without sufficient grain drydown, complicating harvest decisions. Both pathologists advised growers to evaluate grain quality and storage requirements carefully, especially in areas affected by ear rots and mycotoxin concerns.
Looking ahead, Robertson and Jackson-Ziems recommended selecting hybrids based on field-specific disease histories rather than yield potential alone. They also stressed the importance of maintaining accurate field records and focusing on agronomic practices that reduce disease risk.