Update from the south: There were 55 new reports of soybean rust during the past two weeks. This includes reports in 22 new counties in Mississippi, 14 in Arkansas, 9 in Alabama, 4 in Georgia, 3 in Louisiana, and 1 each in Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. The finds in South Carolina and Tennessee were the first in 2009 for their states.

Iowa soybean crop: Approximately 95% of Iowa’s soybean crop is now at growth stage R6 (grain fill done so rust cannot affect yield). In a week the remaining crop will reach R6. This means – WE DID IT. Another year of soybean rust NOT affecting yields in Iowa. 

Other states (GA, MS) have reported fields where soybean rust did reduce yield. Some of these fields even had a R3 fungicide application, but rust showed up after the fungicide wore off.