Protecting yield potential: Fungicide matters in tight-margin year like this

SALEM, Ind. — Deidra Roell, a fifth-generation grain farmer in Washington County in southern Indiana, shared the latest on her farm with AgriNews.

Q: As you begin estimating yields, what kind of variability are you seeing between fields or even within individual fields?

A: There is still some variability in the crops across the different farms and even within individual fields. We see small areas of complete washout or loss to other areas of very consistent and steady performance.

It’s unlikely that this will be a record-setting year for yields this year, but the crops still appear to be on pace for an average or above-average performance in many areas.

Q: Do you feel the fungicide applications and other in-season investments you made this year will provide a worthwhile return?

A: I believe the fungicide applications are going to pay off, or at least we hope they will — that’s why we take the time and money to apply it.

We applied fungicide to both crops this year, and based on pressures reported from crop scouting and local agronomy talk, it seems like a solid choice so far.

Q: With harvest approaching, what are your biggest concerns and what gives you reason to be optimistic?

A: With harvest quickly approaching, I think I’m always nervous about any new kinks that might come up in the equipment or if there was anything that we needed to address before this harvest season.

My husband and dad will do an inspection of the combine, grain cart tractor and grain trucks to make sure everything is field- and road-ready before we get full swing into harvest, but I am always a little apprehensive until we get out there and get rolling.

Obviously, with all of the significant weather events that we have had right around us on all sides this year, I am probably going to worry that one of these unexpected severe storms may knock down a crop or wipe out the yields completely until we get harvest completed.

That said, with the crops that I see in the fields surrounding us and around the farms, I am still optimistic just about the fact that we are so blessed to have crops looking as good as they do with the opportunity for another harvest.

Q: Are there any Indiana Farm Bureau activities, community events or family milestones you’d like to share?

A: We are still staying busy with working on and off the farm, Farm Bureau, a wild 15-month-old girl and other activities.

Recently, on top of our regular monthly county Farm Bureau board meetings, I have had nominations committee activities for the county board going on as we try to prepare a slate of officers for our upcoming annual meeting election in September.

We have had a few seats vacated recently and are looking to fill multiple board member positions as well as a couple standard officer position elections.

We are also planning a Young Farmer and FFA discussion meet that we purpose as the main event of our annual meeting each year. This event helps us stay connected with the local FFAs and advisers and engages local FFA students in the current issues of the agriculture landscape.

The event also helps the students learn about public speaking, researching topics and advocating for our rural roots.

Lastly, we are attending the Critical Issues Ag Summit in Danville hosted by Indiana Farm Bureau and then will be participating in the policy development process for INFB, serving as a delegate at the semiannual meeting of the delegates.