Breaking Barriers Episode Features NAAA Member Crabbe on Maximizing Application Fungicide Performance

With fungicide season near, application decisions are top of mind for growers looking to protect yield potential and maximize return on investment. In a recent Breaking Barriers interview with high-yield farmers Randy Dowdy and David Hula, NAAA operator member Matt Crabbe of Eastern Aviation DBA Matt Crabbe Aviation in Mechanicsville, VA, shared insights into the factors that drive successful fungicide applications.

Crabbe discussed how application technology, droplet size, spray drift potential, swath width and canopy penetration all influence coverage and overall performance. The conversation reviewed application methods and understanding how different approaches fit different operations, crops and field conditions.

A key takeaway was that effective fungicide applications depend on more than simply getting product to the field. Proper coverage throughout the crop canopy, accurate placement and attention to environmental conditions can have a significant impact on disease control and yield protection. In a tight-margin year, those details can make the difference between preserving profit and losing potential bushels.

The discussion also explored weather challenges across the corn belt, current crop conditions and varying levels of disease pressure. With application windows often narrowing due to changing weather patterns, selecting the right timing and the right application approach for a particular situation becomes increasingly important.

For aerial applicators and growers alike, the message was clear: there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The most successful operations evaluate field conditions, crop needs, weather and available technology to determine the best strategy for each acre.

To hear Crabbe’s complete discussion on fungicide application strategies, coverage, timing and maximizing returns, access the full interview here.