As tar spot continues to spread northeast across Ontario's corn region, growers are looking to build a better defence against the yield-robbing leaf disease. Crop genetics and fungicide will likely be the one-two punch growers use to control the disease, which is characterized by tar-like speckling on the upper surface of corn leaves. The fungal pathogen has been delivering yield hits ranging from 20 to 60 bushels per acre (in highly infected fields) since it was first identified in Indiana and Illinois in 2015.

2025 marks a remarkable milestone—75 years of PRIDE Seeds leading the charge in genetics and innovation within the agricultural industry. Founded with a vision to support farmers and enhance crop productivity, PRIDE Seeds has been at the forefront of agricultural advancement, consistently delivering high-quality seed varieties tailored to the unique needs of growers.

Effective fertility and nutrient management begins with a grower understanding each fields' soil type, as this plays a large role in the cation exchange capacity (CEC), which is the main tool for managing nitrogen holding capacity and will impact fertilizer application timings, says Aidan Filipchuk of PRIDE Seeds.

In this Corn School, Aidan Filipchuk of PRIDE Seeds explains that tillers can be a sign of ideal growing conditions. A lot of sunlight and an abundance of nutrients is one of three potential causes. Another source of tillers, otherwise known as suckers, is early stress in the corn. Wind, hail, insects, or being run over by the sprayer, can all cause stress to the emerging plants.

As the 2024 Ontario corn crop races to the finish line with help from a late summer stretch of hot weather, growers are now seeing the challenges created by spring planting conditions and pest and disease pressures. In some parts of the province, growers were able to get corn in the ground in late April, but wet conditions pushed a good portion of provincial planting into late May and well into June in some areas. On this episode of the RealAgriculture Corn School, host Bernard Tobin and PRIDE Seeds agronomist Olivia Noorenberghe discuss the 2024 corn crop and how the lengthy planting window, and the widespread variability it’s created, will impact harvest.

Corn rootworm (CRW) has become an increasingly prevalent pest for Ontario and Quebec continuous corn growers. Significant yield losses can occur from CRW larvae, as feeding larvae will clip the corn plant’s roots which causes inhibition of water and nutrient uptake early on, as well as lodging later in season. It is estimated that up to 18% yield loss can be expected per node of roots clipped1.

On this episode of the RealAgriculture Corn School, host Bernard Tobin is joined by PRIDE Seeds product manager Matt Chapple for a look at what seed companies can do to test for ear rot susceptibility to ensure hybrids have a strong defence against ear mould.

With recent showers, extended periods of overcast and humidity, we should be aware to scout corn fields that have faced extended periods of leaf wetness and helped support the infection of the Tar Spot disease in Southern Ontario this season.

Sunlight is important for photosynthesis and carbohydrate production. The wildfires across Canada have caused a week of hazy overcast weather in the early V1-V6 stage. Reduced light intensity and increased ozone levels are two main factors that affect corn and soybean photosynthesis and may be impacted by the wildfires.