Speculation about disease pressure, low commodity prices and the value of fungicides have been hot topics lately due to the heavy winter rainfall in the Midwest. With the increased rainfall and soaked fields, crops are at risk for diseases again in 2016. Fungicide treatments can protect against costly diseases; however, low commodity prices and increasing management costs may cause some growers to gamble with skipping one or more fungicide applications this season. Before taking that risk, growers should weigh the costs against the benefits. As we saw in 2015, fungicides can pay for themselves many times over by protecting against disease and helping to promote greater yields and profits.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension lists several ways the use of a fungicide can likely increase profit margin:

• Protection for susceptible hybrids
• Support in cases of late planting
• Prevention of early disease activity
• Defense against weather conditions favorable to disease development
• Promotion of high yield potentials

In addition, the extension estimated if fungicides cost an average of $15 to $20 per acre, an increase of 2 to 3 bushels per acre (bu/A) in yield will be necessary to cover the cost of each fungicide application. In recent trials, Trivapro™ fungicide showed a yield increase over untreated and competitive treatments ranging from:

• +20-53 bu/A in corn¹
• +4-8 bu/A in soybeans²
• +13-28 bu/A in wheat³

With three active ingredients, including Solatenol^® fungicide, Trivapro provides preventive and curative control of diseases including rusts, leaf spots, Septoria and more. Even if growers’ fields don’t have a history of heavy disease pressure, Trivapro maximizes yield potential by promoting stronger stalks and bigger ears/fuller pods. With commodity prices as low as $3.66 corn and $9.18 soybeans according to USDA reports, this isn’t the time to leave potential profit on the table.

Visit the Trivapro product page or talk to a local retailer or Syngenta sales representative to learn more and follow the conversation on social media using #NotAfraidToWork.

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¹ Based on 18 trials across the U.S.

² Based on 1 trial in Lamartine, WI

³ Based on 4 trials in Cheney, WA