No Rest for the Wicked (and the Righteous Don’t Need Any)

It’s tempting to think the busy season is behind us. Spring spraying turned into planting, planting gave way to wheat harvest, and now it’s time for family vacations, county fairs, and getting the kids ready for school. But let me remind you, whether you’re wicked or righteous—now is not the time to rest.

The truth is, there’s too much at stake to go to sleep on this crop or your 2026 plans. The work you put in this spring is starting to show, and for many, that means outstanding stand uniformity, a cornerstone of the Max Yield System and a huge indicator that you’re on the track to meet your bu/1000 goals.

So what now?

Protect What You’ve Built

When you have a high-potential crop, you have to protect it at all costs. That means staying vigilant and proactive against threats like disease and insect pressure. Moisture brings yield potential, but it also brings risk.

• Fungicide applications are critical during wet conditions. Rain makes grain, but only if you keep disease from stealing your bushels. Scout early and often.

• Insecticide timing is just as critical. Corn Rootworm beetles, Western Bean Cutworm, and Corn Earworm all threaten grain fill. Target applications when pests are vulnerable: CRW beetles are most active in the canopy around pollination, and ear feeders are most susceptible to insecticide just after hatch and before they burrow deep into the ear.

  
  

Choose insecticides that are safe on beneficials, but lethal to pests. Steward EC, for example, offers a solid fit for that approach.

Don’t Forget the Feed

With timely rains and strong yield potential, it's time to re-evaluate your nutrition plan. Wet conditions improve natural nutrient release from organic matter, but they also increase the risk of leaching synthetic nutrients like nitrogen and sulfur.

Feeding your crop during fungicide or insecticide passes makes smart agronomic and economic sense. Products like BW Fusion’s AmiNo or RCP-NKBS from Radicle Crop Performance are great options to replenish what's been lost and boost grain-fill.

Eyes on the Future

While you're out scouting and protecting this year’s crop, don’t lose sight of what’s next. This is also the best time to start planning for 2026. Your recent challenges and wins are still fresh.

Use that insight to shape a field-by-field cropping and fertility plan that builds on what’s working.

Even in a season full of fairs, family, and summer fun, don’t sleep on your goals. Max Yield doesn’t happen by accident. 

Whether you’re wicked, righteous, or just somewhere in between—Grow Your Yield, Grow Your Legacy, Grow Strong with Axis Seed.