Farmers face the risk of major yield loss from corn diseases in any given season. However, in the Upper Midwest, they will have a new corn hybrid in 2017 from Dekalb featuring Disease Shield.

Developed through the brand’s advanced breeding program, Dekalb Disease Shield corn provides a broad spectrum of enhanced protection against today’s most common, yield-robbing corn diseases, including anthracnose stalk rot, gray leaf spot, Goss’s wilt and northern corn leaf blight, according to a company press release.

DISEASE PROTECTION: Dekalb will begin sales of corn seed with the company's new Disease Shield technology in 2017.

Six Dekalb Disease Shield products are offered across the U.S. for the upcoming growing season, spanning the 109- to 120-day relative maturities. For Minnesota and Dakota farmers, the company offers one variety—  DKC59-50RIB-brand blend — a 109 RM product with VT Double Pro RIB Complete corn blend.

Company representatives said the Disease Shield showed very effective disease protection in on-farm and university trial plots during 2016 in areas that experienced significant disease pressure. Overall, they were healthier and had excellent stay-green characteristics compared to competitors' products.

Other benefits of this new corn lineup include better standability and improved harvestability. All Dekalb Disease Shield products are available with Acceleron Seed Applied Solutions with enhanced disease control.

For additional information on protecting their cornfields in 2017, farmers can contact their Dekalb Asgrow dealer or visit dekalb.com/diseaseshield.

Source: Dekalb