Can't tell by looking at it but this corn had fungicide!
Protect Thy Bushels
Fungicide Economics in 2025
During the growing season there are scenarios a farmer encounters wherein all you can do is make a theoretical gamble. To apply or not apply fungicide via plane is one such scenario. This variety of corn has a strong response to fungicide/ this one has a medium response. There's a significant upfront cost, yay or nay?
Well I have some data now and I think the results speak loud enough for me to grade myself on the choices I did make.
I applied fungicide to 43% of my corn. Should have done it all. Here's the math:
I reviewed my bill and the fungicide application worked out to roughly $30/acre. From what I've seen on the yield monitor the application protected roughly 15 bushels per acre compared to nearby fields where I didn't apply it. Figuring $3.50 per bushel, this works out to $22.50/acre of lost revenue (after subtracting application cost). Obviously there are different varieties with different responses but even at 10 bushels per acre it pencils out.
So am I beating myself up about this seemingly failing 43% grade? Eh. Whatever, life intervenes. One of the fields I didn't spray was the "Home Farm." The name is a clue as to the location of this field; do I really want a crop duster dive bombing chemicals right past my house when my kids are outside playing? Everything in farming is a calculated risk.
...and margins are really thin.
Uhh, next time they can go to the pool the day we spray 😆🛩️👨🌾🌽
Posted by:
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Justin