NAAA Press Release Highlights Success of Aerial Fungicide Applications on Late-Season Corn

Earlier this week, NAAA issued a press release to multiple news, agricultural and aviation media sources throughout the U.S. emphasizing the critical role of aerial application in controlling tar spot in late-season corn with fungicide. The press release featured the success of Dairyland Aviation in Waupun, WI, who worked with a grower in late August 2024 to evaluate the effectiveness of fungicide past the typical treatment window.

The yield to the treated corn was 15 to 20 bushels higher than the untreated corn. The aerial application provided effective control of tar spot and protected yield despite being made well past the optimum application window.

The results of this aerial application should leave no doubt for corn growers that when tar spot strikes, they can rely on their local aerial applicator to make a timely, accurate and effective fungicide application to save their corn. The NAAA press release urged growers to remain vigilant in scouting for tar spot and other diseases throughout the growing season. Early detection allows for timely and targeted aerial applications.

Within the first 36 hours of sending the press release, a public relations campaign was sparked amongst national agriculture outlets to share the news with farmers. Yesterday, AgAir Update published the press release as the headliner in their eNewsletter and on their website, which has 9,000 unique visitors per month. The Daily Scoop eNewsletter and website featured an article about the press release. The Daily Scoop eNewsletter has a readership of 27,000 ag retailers, crop consultants and farmers. AgriMarketing, which receives 30,000 monthly visitors, and CropLife Magazine, which receives 59,000 monthly visitors, each featured the press release on their websites and in CropLife Magazine’s eNewsletter.

The press release reminded growers that they can find an ag pilot on the NAAA Find An Aerial Applicator database. To read the full press release and share it with your local growers and media, click here.