headline timing on corn

[idalivered]

Lots of opinions on the best time for headline application. Last year I had some done when the silks were brown. didn't leave a check, but corn was excellent and definitely stayed healthier. We're in mid-silk here now. what is your guess for best application time?

[Mike M2692830]

I may have jumped the gun on timing but had some applied to a hybrid(one you dno't have) that responds to a fung. app. It was sprayed friday night by FnL. Sprayed it opposite the rows so we could see it better on the yield maps. Our agronomist suggests a window from now till brown silk so take your pick. MikeM

[idalivered]

I guess i was wondering about waiting 'til pollination is complete. I don't have any reason for this. Probablyhaving beauford do my coc.  some of that tasseled about a week after the other.

[JDFarmer4960]

Headline timing is from full tassel to Brown silk.  The best time to apply is as soon as possible after full tassel.  The yield bump curve declines from there until brown silk.  If a field is at different stages it is best to wait until the entire field has tasseled.  Average bump is 14 bushels but can be more or less depending on hybrids.  It probably will not pay on every field if you just spray everything unless you are doing just for plant health.  You need to have a discussion with your seed rep to see which hybrids are the most responsive to fungicide and go from there.

[perspec]

Does headline spraying pay if only for plant health?  What is the cost/acre?  I have heard opinions but would be interested in anyone's actual results.

When GLS or other molds get to threshold(ear leaf) do you stay with Headline or go with Quilt?  Thanks

[JDFarmer4960]

Here in EC Indiana cost for aerial app is about $30/ac. total package with Headline and adjuvants.  I have seen yield bumps that would easily pay for it is some hybrids.  The problem is know which hybrids you get the most bang for your buck.  Plant health is trickier to talk about.  If you have a "race horse" hybrid that has gone down in the past, spraying it may keep it up longer so you get to harvest.  Problems with ear drop?  Spraying may help.  Then there are the other cost that most farmers don't account for..... If the corn is standing better you should be able to harvest faster.  What is a seperator hour worth?  Fuel savings?  Your time?  All of that adds up in my mind. 

But you have to have a plan.  Can you justify to added inputs with better grain marketing?  You would be amazed how many farmers probably do not know what their break even point is on bushels or price per bushel.  That is the very first thing you should know in my opinion. 

This is how I approach things on my farm, may not be the same for everyone.

[Mike M2692830]

Agree on the breakeven costs. Fung treatments got popular with corn prices at and above $5. 6 bu seemed to be the avg yield bump and with that price, it was easy to breakeven. With 3.50 cash corn this fall, it might be hard to get those extra bu...MikeM

[idalivered]

Heard one guy say that he needed the deductible expense and the odds of increasing yields were very good. Even if his yield was a breakeven proposition. he would save 28% on the expense as a deduction. good logic, but bad agronomy.

[jrsiajdranch]

That sounds like Kollash logic to me.JR

[ZR2]

Around here, SE IA, there is a TON of talk about waiting until "brown silk or even later." I've talked with Headline rep from BASF and optimum timing is VT through R2. By delaying application, you quickly loose yield response after R3, in fact you add more moisture. (altough you do add plant integrity and stalk strength)

Most of the corn was planted early around here 4/13 - 4/22 and it all pollinated around the week of the 4th of July. I sprayed what i wanted to on the 9th. ( one of the first ones in the area). I talked with a farmer who said "you only get 30 days of residual, i am going to wait at least another 2 weeks".

I told him that was silly, best timing is while that plant is developing the ear to take as much stress off the corn as possible. I guess I am not surprised in my area when guys talk about how the fungicide isn't paying on their farms (and I know the main reason is that they wait way too long).

I would strongly advise talking with the people that are the most familiar with their products. BASF = Headline, Syngenta = Quilt. Seed companies haven't researched these products enough to make "timing" recommendations. (This is one case where your trusted seed supplier relationship may be costing you TONS  of money) This is the 5 or 6th year for guys putting fungicide on corn, its rediculous how very few actually know the correct timing on these products.