Early tar spot confirmed in northern Missouri

Tar spot is showing up in Missouri earlier than usual and crop specialists are encouraging farmers to scout corn fields.

Mandy Bish, a plant pathologist with University of Missouri Extension, says the fungal disease isn’t usually confirmed until late August or September. She tells Brownfield minimal cases are being confirmed in northern Missouri (and parts of Iowa), likely due to mild June temperatures.

“We’re roughly 3 to 4 degrees cooler minimum air temperature (at night) in June 2023 compared to the previous few years.”

Tar spot is a fungal disease that creates small, raised black lesions on corn leaves, stalks and husks.

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