We talked about it, we read about it, now we have to scout for it!

Before proceeding with the ag report, let me take a few moments to welcome the newest member of the Kankakee Extension family. James Theuri brings expertise that will be a great asset to the county. I'm looking forward to spending time in the field with James this growing season and would encourage you to stop by or call the office and introduce yourself.

What a roller coaster we have been on since last fall. Mother Nature pulled one out of her hat in 2004 and a record corn yield ensued. The following staggering numbers were gleaned from the Illinois agricultural statistics service. Kankakee County average yields for corn and soybean were 179 and 50 bushels respectively. Before producers could appreciate this agronomic feat, news spread that the Asian strain of soybean rust had been found in the continental United States. Following the initial news from Louisiana on November 10, additional states confirmed the presence of the disease. A tremendous amount of time and print have been dedicated to this potential disease issue.

Once the soybean crop is in the ground, up to date information can be accessed at several URLs. I would suggest bookmarking one or more of the following sites to keep track of the northward progression of soybean rust.

Illinois Pest Management and Crop Development Bulletin
http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/bulletin/index.php

The USDA Soybean Rust Site
http://www.usda.gov/soybeanrust/

http://www.stopsoybeanrust.com/viewStory.asp?StoryID=216
Sponsored in part by the Soybean Association, a very helpful site!

When scouting our soybean crop, we should consider that not all discoloration or disease in a soybean field will be caused by soybean rust.

Positive diagnosis and confirmation of suspected rust infections will be critical in order to track the progress of the disease if it enters the state. Correct diagnosis will also help insure that fields are being treated for the proper disease.

The U of I has established a scouting and diagnostic protocol to help identify the disease, and to eliminate possible "look-alike" disease problems. When scouting fields, look carefully at the lower quarter of soybean plants in addition to "top growth." Use a 15- to 20-power hand lens to help find lesions at the earliest stage of development. Careful attention should be given to the undersides of leaves.

If you see something that looks "suspect" for soybean rust, follow this procedure:

• Collect 20 leaflets with suspect symptoms.
• Leaflets should be flat, dry, and placed between dry paper toweling.
• Package leaflets in two layers of sturdy, re-sealable plastic bags.
• Use a permanent marker to clearly label each bag with the following information: date; host plant (soybean, pea, green bean, etc.); collector's name and phone number; collection location within the field; and location of the field (county, township and section, and nearest intersection). GPS information is helpful if available.
• Immediately submit the sample to your local U of I Extension office where it will be processed through Extension's Distance Diagnostics through Digital Imaging (DDDI) system.
• If the sample cannot be immediately delivered to the Extension office, keep it refrigerated until shipment to reduce plant deterioration.
• The results of your soybean rust prescreening via DDDI should be available within a few hours.
• If the DDDI prescreening appears suspect for soybean rust, your plant sample will be submitted via overnight mail to the U of I Plant Clinic. The Plant Clinic's $12.50 sample charge will be paid by the Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board for all samples that have been previously screened through the DDDI program. The overnight mail fee will need to be paid by the farmer.
• Following confirmation of soybean rust in your area, continue to scout soybean fields using the same protocol and sample submission procedures. Consider evaluating five plants in each of 20 locations within a field. If soybean rust is detected and confirmed, fungicides should generally be applied as soon as possible.

Soybean rust may or may not be an issue in Kankakee County in 2005. I am confident the time producers spend in their fields will reap benefits. Soybean aphid, European corn borer, Western Corn Rootworm, and other disease and weed issues will be acknowledged. See you in the fields!

- By Russ Higgins, IPM Educator