The characteristics of tar spot –the dark or black lesions on the leaf –can be mistaken for other diseases like leaf rust and eyespot or for insect frass (droppings).

Relative humidity and leaf wetness impact tar spot growth

The southern Ontario situation in 2023 provided more insight on management strategies

A look at tar spot in Canada and the U.S. shows the vital role of humidity in fostering the disease. In 2023, the big difference between the U.S. and Ontario was dryness; Michigan and other parts of the Midwest were dry compared to much of southern Ontario. The provincial corn crop was also planted later, […] Read more










Ontario farmers are expected to plant 2.265 million acres of corn this spring.

Volatile corn market expected from April onward

Market has potential to move higher in summer due to weather, yield predictions 

Ontario farmers plan to plant more soybeans this spring while corn acres will be similar to last year. Producers planted less winter wheat during the fall of 2023 and plan to decrease spring acres in 2024.  Cash corn and soybean prices have been percolating higher over the past couple weeks. A decrease in farmer selling […] Read more