Many hop growers do not understand the importance of controlling downy mildew in their hop yard after harvest is completed. The fungus and the infection are not as visible because there are no new shoots or infected spikes to be seen. Many growers consider the season as finished and leave the yard unattended going into winter. IMHO this is a fundamental mistake in controlling Downy mildew in hopyards. Downy mildew is active whenever conditions permit – it simply doesn't care if it is springtime, summer, or fall. (The 2014 growing season attests to that.) Post-harvest fungicide applications and controls can be the most effective way to manage downy mildew in yards that have had the disease present and reduce the severity of downy mildew spikes during the following spring growing season.
