LAKELAND, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — As corn and soybeans move into critical reproductive stages, many growers are preparing for what could be their final planned pass across the field before harvest. From fungicides to foliar nutrition, those late-season decisions can have a significant impact on protecting yield potential.
Fred Nichols, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Huma, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to discuss what producers should be evaluating as the growing season enters one of its most important phases.
In his interview with RFD News, Nichols said many growers are already seeing aerial applicators and drones making fungicide applications across the Corn Belt. He noted that drones have become an increasingly common and cost-competitive option for late-season applications, giving farmers more flexibility when timing treatments.
He emphasized that scouting fields remains one of the most important steps before making a final application. While walking fields during the heat of summer isn’t always enjoyable, Nichols said it allows producers to identify disease pressure and determine whether a fungicide application is warranted.
Nichols also encouraged growers to view this final pass as an opportunity to optimize crop nutrition. He said reproductive stages are among the most critical periods in a crop’s life cycle, yet late-season nutrient applications are often overlooked.
He recommended tissue sampling whenever possible to identify deficiencies and said that micronutrients such as boron can be beneficial during reproduction. Depending on crop needs, foliar potassium for soybeans and nitrogen products for corn may also be beneficial, with some foliar products becoming available to the plant within hours of application.
Beyond fertility, Nichols said producers should continue scouting for insects before adding insecticides to the tank, stressing that treatments should be based on established economic thresholds rather than routine applications
He also highlighted the growing use of biostimulants, which are designed to stimulate a plant’s natural physiological processes during grain fill and pod development. Nichols said those products can be an affordable addition to a late-season application when they fit a producer’s management strategy.
Ultimately, Nichols said growers should focus on products that deliver versatility and value, allowing them to address multiple agronomic needs during what may be their final opportunity to influence crop performance before harvest.
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