U.S. soybean producers should be prepared, but not overreact to threat of rust

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. is sending an agronomy team to Brazil for a weeklong tour to study Asian soybean rust. The 30-member team will share its findings with U.S. producers and other Pioneer agronomists as they prepare for potential outbreaks of the disease during the 2005 growing season. This is part of Pioneer's ongoing worldwide training program that provides producers access to information through the company's network of agronomists and sales professionals.

The team departs February 26 for Sao Paulo, Brazil, and will tour major soybean-growing regions, visit soybean research centers and meet with local farmers before returning to the United States March 5. Pioneer customers can follow along and experience some of the same training Pioneer agronomists are receiving on the Pioneer GrowingPoint(sm) website beginning March 2 (www.pioneer.com/growingpoint).

"Touring Brazilian soybean-growing areas impacted by rust will enable Pioneer to better advise U.S. growers on identifying and managing potential rust problems," says Marv Wilson, Pioneer soybean market director. "We are making sure that our specialists in the field have the information they need to advise growers, should the disease surface. The Brazil tour will help us provide additional expertise for our agronomists, sales representatives and dealers so they can be a resource providing management information to customers."

Information gathered during the trip will be used in a follow-up training program for Pioneer agronomists and sales professionals so they can share soybean rust management expertise with U.S. producers.

Variety selection, scouting
There have been many reports of soybean rust, or at least the potential for the disease, following news last fall that it was detected in the southern United States. "Before taking drastic measures such as planting early-maturing varieties, growers instead should focus on maximizing their soybean yield potential," according to Bill Wiebold, University of Missouri Extension agronomist. "This means selecting the right varieties based on maturities for their growing regions.

"Managing rust is two-fold - the first task is selecting varieties with high-yield potential for a specific growing area and varieties that stand up to diseases which may have surfaced in the past," says Wiebold. "Secondly, but just as critical, is scouting for the appearance of rust during the growing season. Planting wider rows has been suggested, but the benefit of widening rows to reduce the risk of rust is marginal compared with the potential yield lost," he adds.

"We will learn from Brazil's experience with rust," says Pioneer's Wilson. "It's a fast-moving disease. If rust is present, growers need to treat fields immediately. In order to act quickly, they need to be prepared. Our goals for the trip to Brazil are to gain first-hand experience of how the disease is managed and to be a resource for U.S. farmers.

"With more than 100 agronomists and a sales force that spans North America, including more than 2,300 sales representatives, Pioneer can offer the latest, practical rust management information specific to a producer's growing region," says Wilson. "Scouting to detect fungal lesions as early as possible is key to an effective disease-management program. Whether it's through a local crop consultant, Extension agent or seed sales representative, producers will want to monitor their information network for any news on the presence of rust this growing season."

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.