Sandy : Good question - First off you have to remember where KY farms - they are a world away from you - as into weather conditions - like Humidity and day time temps - I have talked to a lot of guys that farm south of us and most do what KY do's with good results - Yet I have have put out plots and have not have 1 - thats right not 1 pay its way - as if there is no disease pressure then why lay it down ?? I even did plot work with Purdue on corn with the same results - we missed the window = rain - when we whated it down - but still put it out to check the plant health part they calm - when the plot was shelled off - there was no difference between the 2 . In the bean plots - yes - it had green stems and was a B---h to cut them - I even pulled out and went to another field one time - they are aways 7 to 10 days behind the non sprayed beans - But thats here - . Also remeber - Fungicides are to controll disease - right - just to lay it down - say for insurance can help cause resistance in the disease - I have read that in parts of KY and southern IL that Frogeye Leaf spot is resistane to Headline .
As far as insecticides - And I know , I know - I'm not practicing good IPM - But have sprayed at R-3 and have always been on the plus side - anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 bpa increase - Have not priced any insecticides this year - but the product costs ?? 2.70 to 2.80 ( should be close ) an acre plus app. cost .
You are a pretty sharp young farmer and your doing the right thing = to scout your fields and knowing just what is out there - I would just keep doing what you are doing , then if there's a problem - you will be on top of it and then pull the trigger if need be .
Have a good one ..
ken
