That’s the takeaway message from Albert Tenuta, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) field crop pathologist. Tenuta and Dr. Dave Hooker, professor and field crop agronomist at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, are working on a project to develop an integrated management control strategy for the pathogen in Ontario. Although tar spot can bring significant yield losses and cause harvest difficulties, Tenuta’s message to growers is to consider tar spot the same as any other regional disease. Like Fusarium head blight in wheat or white mould in soybeans, awareness and proactive management can control it. “Don’t get caught in the idea of managing the weather,” says Tenuta. “You can’t change the weather. You’re managing the crop.” ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER RESEARCH 14 Matt McIntosh Tailoring the tar spot response Research project determines best approach Tar spot is here to stay – but corn growers don’t have to live in fear of the disease. Every day new challenges, obstacles, roadblocks and uncertainties threaten your farm’s progress. That’s why you need solutions that work. You need agronomists that know the industry. You need answers. Because regardless of the unknowns, you always have to make a decision. Make the most with what you’ve been given by tapping into the nutrient enhancing technologies from Koch Agronomic Services proven to create a positive impact in your fertility program. Koch and the Koch logo are trademarks of Koch IP Holdings, LLC. ©2024 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 1774_SpringGrowerEast_Ontario Grain Farm_15.497x4.5.indd 1
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