GTD, sounds like you have valid reasons as to "why not" spray in 2007. If there's no published scouting criteria how can you criticize other farmers for their conclusions? No, I don't say to throw away IPM, but we sure have to second-guess it's "by the numbers" basis, especially with the admitted error in aphid IPM.

I assume you put Headline on your corn in '06 following scouting? Results?

I assume you did NOT use Headline in this '07 season? Nothing for even plot work?

After harvest maybe you can let us know how it worked in your area this yr. I'll do the same. Like I said, if it does NOT work out, I don't think you have to worry about continued widespread use. Why would it expand further, or even continue at present rate? Also, as you probably know from combining corn (or even more-so, picking), there is more to better plant health than just INcreased yields. Battling down corn gets very taxing on both machinery & human operators/workers. I'm sure you've been there too. Are we wrong in assuming we'll have less lodging w/fungicide apps overall? I always felt this was one shortcoming of IPM back in the days of ECB scouting. Treat vs no-treat was based solely on yield estimate. I asked Kevin S. many times, "why no factor for down corn"? That can & DID take toll on human life & limb...literally. Frustration after a few hrs of backing up-going ahead-spinning in circles thru ECB damaged corn cost some farmers ultimately. I saw nothing on the worksheet for that. Actual real-live farming is more than just coming up w/a set of "go, no-go" numbers on a piece of paper. You supplement those numbers with experience & desires. Otherwise anyone with a calculator, magnifying glass, and a notebook could farm. Reality often works differently from IPM recs it seems.