Iowa Soybean Rust Web Page

Published: 1/31/2008

The potential yield loss to soybeans in the U.S. from one year to the next because of Asian soybean rust continues to be unknown even though modeling programs continue to be developed from previous years information.

"In essence, we dodged a bullet this year, although we're still handling a loaded gun," said Merle Pierson, Department of Agriculture under secretary for research, education and economics, during the mid-December 2007 National Soybean Rust Symposium in Louisville.

Soybean rust was detected farther west and north than ever. The drought in the Southeast wasn't favorable for devastating yield loss, and rust spores that spread farther north than ever didn't arrive in time to affect yield.

Published: 12/10/2007

During the 2005 and 2006 growing seasons, soybean rust was not a threat for Iowa soybean growers. This year was a different story, as soybean rust was established fairly early in the season in Texas and Louisiana creating the potential for soybean rust to get to Iowa during the growing season. Thankfully, soybean rust was not found while soybean plants were in a vulnerable stage; however, soybean rust was found in a field in Dallas County, Iowa, on Tuesday, September 25, 2007. Since the initial find, soybean rust was confirmed in 13 additional counties in Iowa.

Published: 9/21/2007

or the first time ever, Asian soybean rust has been confirmed in Kansas -- in a sentinel plot in Montgomery County in southeast Kansas. Officials say several hundred thousand acres of late-planted soybeans could be at risk.

Kansas State University researchers and the Kansas Department of Agriculture have confirmed that a leaf sample from a soybean plant collected from a sentinel plot in Montgomery County has the disease.

Published: 8/30/2007

Although the soybean rust situation can change quite quickly, in view of the rumors and false reports being circulated, a brief summary of the current status of soybean rust in the Midwest seems appropriate.

The USDA PIPE Website (www.sbrusa.net) remains a good site to use in checking on the status of soybean rust throughout the United States and in obtaining information on the distribution and management recommendations for various states. For most of us in Missouri, the states of interest earlier in the season were Louisiana and Texas and now Arkansas and Oklahoma are of extreme interest.