Agronomic Reminders for Spring Planting Season

Experts advise growers to focus on early-season disease prevention for top yields in 2026

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:53pm

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A minimalist, isometric 3D illustration depicting a tractor pulling a planter through a field of emerging crops, representing the importance of proactive agronomic practices for maximizing yields in the year ahead.As the spring planting season begins, Midwest farmers must focus on early-season disease prevention to protect crop yields and profits in 2026.Oglesby Today

As the spring planting season approaches, agronomists are urging Midwest farmers to prioritize early-season disease prevention to protect crop yields amid tight margins and lower price volatility in 2026. University of Illinois data shows soybean diseases like SDS and SCN, as well as Southern rust in corn, are top yield robbers that often take hold before symptoms are obvious.

Why it matters

With profit margins expected to be tight in 2026, growers have little room for early-season yield loss. Proactive disease management will be crucial to maximizing yields and offsetting lower commodity price swings.

The details

Syngenta agronomist Blake Miller advised farmers to focus on getting the crop off to the best possible start this spring. Miller shared key agronomic reminders for the 2026 growing season, including strategies to manage emerging disease threats like soybean SDS, SCN, and Southern rust in corn - issues that can significantly impact yields if not addressed early.

  • Tractors and planters will start rolling across the Midwest in a major way as the calendar turns to April 2026.
  • The University of Illinois projects lower crop price volatility in 2026 compared to 2025, meaning fewer chances for the market to offset lost bushels later in the season.

The players

Blake Miller

A Syngenta agronomist based in Illinois who provided agronomic advice for the 2026 growing season.

Jesse Allen

The host who interviewed Blake Miller about getting the crop off to the best start possible in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“As the calendar turns over to April, tractors and planters will start rolling across the Midwest in a major way. And with margins tight in 2026, that leaves growers little room for early-season yield loss.”

— Blake Miller, Syngenta Agronomist

The takeaway

With profit margins expected to be tight in 2026, Midwest farmers will need to prioritize proactive disease management strategies to protect early-season crop yields and offset lower commodity price swings.