In the Furrow
Attention soybean producers
By Will Duffie County Extension Coordinator

Back in mid-August I reported on the status of the soybean crop in Burke County. Rainfall since has left the crop with a decent yield potential. Most of the soybeans were planted in late-May to mid-June. The current growth stage of these later planted fields is the R2 to R4 growth stage, or when the beans are increasing in size.

On Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, 'Soybean Rust' was detected in a field in Estill, South Carolina. Estill is located in Hampton County which is approximately 65 miles southeast of Waynesboro.

This recent find is news we were hoping to avoid. The UGA Extension Service recommends soybean growers to be prepared to treat fields with a fungicide targeting rust. We are not in an urgent situation, but fields need to be protected from this devastating disease.

I am advising growers to scout for insects such as stink bugs, loopers, and velvetbean caterpillars. Try to tank-mix an insecticide with the fungicide in order to be efficient when making a trip across the field. Many fungicides are labeled and provide adequate control of rust if treated prior to the infection getting bad.

I would also like to mention that soybean rust has not been detected in a field in East Georgia. Some grower has to be the first, and I'm glad it is not in Burke County. Numerous fields have been scouted over the past 10 days in our county with no rust found, but it is now time to protect the crop with rust nearby.

Please call with questions or specific recommendations on fungicide. For more information contact the Burke County Extension Office at 706-554-2119.