According to FMC Technical Service Manager Adam Byrne, that’s where Xyway^® fungicide delivers. Across university and on-farm trials, the fungicide has consistently boosted yields by six to nine bushels per acre, and in high-pressure disease years, up to 70 to 80 bushels over untreated acres.

Early protection is critical

Diseases like crown and stalk rot  don’t wait for the plant to show symptoms before they start robbing yield. Infections often begin early in the season, sometimes before V3, quietly weakening the plant’s ability to photosynthesize, take up nutrients and reach full grain-fill potential.

That’s why early protection pays dividends, Byrne said. “Once you see the symptoms, the damage has already started. Xyway lets growers get ahead of those infections before they take hold,” he said.

By protecting the crop from the moment it’s in the ground, Xyway gives plants a stronger start and that early defense can translate directly into dollars at harvest. A healthier plant stands up better to mid- and late-season disease pressure, allowing it to keep green tissue longer and fill out more kernels.

“It’s not just about preventing extreme yield loss,” Byrne said. “It’s about setting the crop up early so it can handle whatever stress comes later. That’s where we see the biggest economic benefit — from the plant staying healthy all season instead of trying to recover after the fact.”

Catching a free ride

Getting ahead and staying ahead of these diseases ensures more money stays in the hands of producers.

Traditional foliar fungicides require an extra trip across the field, often at tassel, when disease pressure is visible, but timing is tight and fuel and labor costs run high. Xyway fungicide changes that equation.

Applied at-plant off the seed or at side-dress, it provides disease protection from the ground up, with no additional machinery, manpower, or scheduling headaches. Byrne said this helps producers reduce operational expenses while still protecting yield potential through unpredictable growing seasons.

“It’s a free ride with your planting or nitrogen pass. Those are real dollars back in the grower’s pocket,” Byrne said.

Creating consistency amidst variables

The 2025 season proved how quickly disease pressure can shift. While growers expected tar spot to be the main threat, southern rust surged instead, thriving in unseasonably hot conditions and reaching farther north than usual.

“That unpredictability is what hurts the bottom line,” Byrne said. “You can’t budget for every disease, but you can use tools like Xyway that protect your crop no matter what comes.”

Xyway fungicide’s value lies in its unique, systemic action. The fungicide’s active ingredient, flutriafol, is taken up through the roots and moves throughout the plant, protecting it from the inside out. Michigan State University studies show the active ingredient remains in leaf tissue long after planting, as late as the R3 growth stage, providing durable, season-long protection.

“Think of it like crop insurance that strengthens your plants. It’s not just about preventing disease; it’s about helping the plant stay efficient and productive under stress,” Byrne said.

Healthier plants, stronger returns

Research has also shown that Xyway promotes better root mass, water use and nutrient efficiency; all traits that improve plant vigor and grain fill. Those physiological gains translate directly into yield stability, especially when weather stress hits.

“When you add up reduced application costs, stronger plant health and yield protection, it’s a full-circle economic benefit,” Byrne said. “It’s helping growers protect their bottom line while improving how their crop performs.”