Asian soybean rust threatens major U.S. agriculture export

Asian soybean rust threatens major U.S. agriculture export    U.S. soybean producers and shippers heard Wednesday what they expected would eventually happen — an outbreak of Asian soybean rust on American soil.
   Soybean rust was detected and confirmed by U.S. Department of Agriculture officials on two research plots near Baton Rouge, La. Soybean rust attacks the plants when they begin to reach maturity, reducing crop yields.
   The disease has spread to many agricultural communities throughout the world, and was most recently detected in soybean crops in South America.
   Soybean rust thrives on moisture, high humidity and moderate temperatures. Clouds of spores may be observed within and above canopies of highly infected fields. The rust is spread by the wind. Soybean rust poses no health risk to humans or animals.
   U.S. soybean producers and shippers are grateful that most of this year’s crop has been harvested, but are uncertain about the economic impacts next year.
   “There are currently no rust-resistant or tolerant soybean varieties,” said Neal Bredehoeft, president of the St. Louis-based American Soybean Association, in a statement Wednesday. “Research is ongoing, but such varieties still are 5 to 10 years away.”
   “Fungicide treatments currently represent the only option for containing soybean rust by lessening the spread of spores,” he added. “Fungicide use in other countries has been effective in keeping soybean rust below the economic threshold of yield loss.”
   American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman urged calm among soybean producers and shippers.
   “We have learned from the experiences of other countries and are better prepared to handle this situation,” Stallman said in a statement. “U.S. soybeans should continue to have a solid standing in export markets, now and in the future.”