Does a second pass of fungicide application provide increased yield protection and control of aggressive corn diseases?

This trial will begin in 2024 and will compare a single VT/R1 fungicide application to a 2-pass system that includes a VT/R1 fungicide application and a second application. Farmer is responsible for the VT/R1 application. For the second application, the farmer chooses the timing and fungicide to test. MU Extension will plan to make the drone applications for the second timing. Priority will be given to corn fields in areas with a history of southern rust or tar spot. This work is supported by a NC-SARE partnership grant.

This trial tests the effectiveness of the farmer choice of fungicide applied at R3 to soybean to increase yield and reduce foliar disease.

For more information, see trial details (PDF).

Sample layout:

The main goal of nitrogen strip trials is testing your N rate. Are there places you are losing yield from lack of N? Are there places you can reduce N without hurting yield. You chose which question or questions you want to answer.

For more information, see trial details (PDF).

Sample layout:

Trial tests the effectiveness of farmer choice of insecticide applied R3 to increase yield and control insects.

Seeking soybean fields for scouting starting at R2. Field will be scouted multiple times pre and post application to monitor insect populations. Imagery obtained using a drone. As-applied map helps document location of treatments and yield map used to assess treatment impact on yield. A new trial currently unfunded supporting the new State Entomologist, Dr. Ivair Valmorbida.

Optimizing nitrogen rate in corn is difficult.  Optimizing rates can be particularly challenging when corn follows cover crop.

This trial tests if you are losing corn yield by under-applying nitrogen or applying more nitrogen than needed to maximize yield. 

Typical test compares your rate with + 30 lbs. N/acre and/or – 30 lbs. N/acre.  This trial is typically done with side-dress applications, but we also test fall and spring applications. We can work with you to provide an application map.  We also can work with variable application fields. 

What is the potential cost of an N strip trial because of lost yield? (PDF)

More information on our strip trial planning information sheet (PDF).

This work is supported by the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board, Missouri Corn Growers and their Checkoff, and the Missouri Soybean Merchandizing Council.

Sample layout:

The goal of this trial is to work with any farmer interested in testing cover crops in their cropping system.  We are particularly interested in working with farmers who have had success with cover crops, particularly corn following soybean and ahead of corn.

We will work with you to test your choice of cover crop strategy to a no-cover control.  Your choice of cover crop or cover crop mix; your choice of when and how cover crop is terminated. 

In Fall 2024 we are particularly interested in recruiting a two-year trial where soybean is planted “into the green” cereal rye cover crop compared to no-cover control. In the second year, plant corn with no cover crop, we test if planting into the green affects soybean yield, track residue cover ahead of corn, and test the residual effects of cereal rye ahead of soybean positively affect corn yield.

These trials are supported by Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers and their Checkoff.

Sample layout:

How effective are nematode-protectant seed treatments at reducing soybean nematode pressure and protecting yield?

This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of two commonly used treatments alongside a base F&I treatment. Trials are underway for 2024 but we will be seeking partners for 2025. This work is supported by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.