As Iowa crops enter one of the most critical months of the growing season, what should growers be watching?

In this episode of the Acre Advantage Podcast, Landus Technical Agronomist Dan Bjorklund is joined by longtime agronomist Dave Lunke to discuss how spring planting conditions are still influencing fields today—and what July weather could mean for the rest of the season.

They cover the lasting effects of cool soils and uneven emergence, why root development matters more than what's visible above the canopy, and what Landus agronomists are finding through field visits and SkyScout® imagery. The conversation also explores sulfur deficiencies, early disease observations including tar spot, anthracnose, and gray leaf spot, emerging insect pressure, and how weather during the next several weeks could shape yield potential.

Whether you're evaluating fungicide timing, monitoring disease pressure, or simply wondering what to expect as crops approach tasseling, this episode offers practical, field-tested insights to help you make informed decisions throughout July.

In this episode:

• How spring planting conditions continue to impact crop performance
• Why July weather often determines the rest of the growing season
• Early observations of disease pressure across Iowa
• Nutrient deficiencies and what they're telling us
• What to watch as corn approaches tasseling and pollination
• How SkyScout® is helping identify issues before they become widespread

Tar spot has already been confirmed in multiple states, including Iowa, earlier than many agronomists expected. In this episode, Dan Bjorklund sits down with Kade Schmidt of Intelinair, the technology company behind SkyScout, to discuss what they're seeing across the Corn Belt and what it could mean for the rest of the growing season.

The conversation covers early disease detection, how thermal imagery and field analytics are helping identify issues before they're visible from the road, and why current weather conditions have both agronomists and farmers paying close attention. Dan and Kade also discuss fungicide timing, nutrient loss concerns following heavy rainfall, and the value of targeted scouting throughout the season.

Topics include:

• Early tar spot detections across Iowa and the Midwest
• How SkyScout identifies disease pressure and crop stress
• Fungicide timing and ROI considerations
• Nitrogen and sulfur loss after excessive rainfall
• Thermal imagery, NDVI, and scouting strategies
• What growers should be watching for over the next several weeks

Learn more about SkyScout and how data-driven scouting can help protect yield potential throughout the growing season.

#LandusCooperative #SkyScout #TarSpot #CornDisease #Agronomy #CropScouting #PrecisionAg #IowaAgriculture #CornFarming #AgTechnology #AcreAdvantagePodcast

In this episode of Acre Advantage, Technical Agronomist Dan Bjorklund is joined by Landus Sales Agronomist Jeff Aronson, a longtime weed management expert serving northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Together, they discuss strategies for controlling tough weeds like waterhemp and giant ragweed, the importance of strong pre- and post-emergence herbicide programs, and how growers can stay ahead of weed resistance while protecting yield potential throughout the growing season.