Agronomy Insights from the 2025 Growing Season: Lessons for Future Success

As the agricultural community wraps up 2025, the insights gained from this past growing season have prompted a re-evaluation of practices. With all the challenges that arose, it became clear that yield protection is influenced by myriad decisions made well before the combine rolls onto the field.

From issues of inconsistent seed quality to rising weed pressures and the threat of diseases, agronomists encouraged farmers to take a more measured approach—advocating for enhanced scouting and adaptive timing. The following are key agronomy lessons that have emerged, poised to shape in-season management strategies as we look toward 2026.

Seed Quality

Variable seed quality was a significant factor in uneven crop emergence throughout 2025. Agronomists cautioned that discrepancies in seed quality and handling could lead to reduced stands and diminished yield potential long before soybeans break through the soil surface.

Postemergence Weed Control

The spread of resistant weed populations faced farmers with mounting challenges. To safeguard yields, agronomists emphasized the necessity of timely postemergence applications that incorporate diverse tank mixes, targeting both weed management and seed production prevention.

Tassel Wrap in Cornfields

Unconventional weather patterns contributed to increased instances of tassel wrap, raising concerns about the impacts on pollen shed, kernel set, and subsequent yield losses—many of which might not manifest until much later in the season.

Southern Rust Spreads North

In a surprising turn, southern rust made its way further north than anticipated, prompting a reassessment of fungicide strategies. This trend serves as a potent reminder for growers about the swift changes in disease pressure that can occur within just one growing season.

Corn Fungicide Timing

Throughout a season marked by persistent disease risks, agronomists noted that the effectiveness of fungicides hinged less on the product itself and more on the precision of application timing, closely aligned with crop growth stages and prevailing pressure levels.

Harvest Loss

Farmers faced unforeseen harvest challenges, particularly with low-moisture soybeans leading to issues such as shatter loss and cracked seeds—problems that can silently erode final yields and challenge overall production goals.

Reflecting on the lessons learned in 2025 not only equips agronomists and farmers with knowledge but provides a path toward improved practices for the years ahead. As 2026 approaches, the agricultural community is reminded that careful observation and strategic responses can make all the difference in yield outcomes.

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