|
NEWS RELEASE ARCHIVES |
News Release: Soybean rust in U.S. will not harm Canada’s 2004 crop
|
Posted on
November 10, 2004 at 18:00:42
|
November 10, 2004
Soybean rust in U.S. will not harm Canada’s 2004 crop
OSG to begin workshops and information sessions for Ontario soybean farmers
GUELPH, ON—Confirmation of Asian soybean rust on soybean leaf samples from a Louisiana State University research farm Saturday will have no negative effect on Canada’s soybean crop for 2004.
The rust – confirmed in a press release earlier today from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – is not present in Canada.
“While this discovery is certainly of concern for Ontario’s soybean industry, it’s still a long way from Canada,” says Bill Allison, Chair of Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG). “We’ll use the time before next spring’s planting to gain a better understanding of the potential for soybean rust’s introduction to Canada and to ensure our growers are prepared.”
Soybean rust is spread primarily by wind-borne spores capable of being transported over long distances. The USDA believes this year’s very active hurricane season played a role in carrying the spores to Louisiana from South America.
The fungus is not harmful to humans or animals, but it does have a crippling effect on soybean plants and yields. Symptoms include small lesions on the lower leaves of the infected plant that increase in size and change from grey to tan or reddish brown on the undersides of the leaves. Soybean rust can be managed with early detection and the use of fungicides.
“We have been anticipating the natural introduction of soybean rust and have been proactive in making preparations for its inevitable introduction into North America,” says Matt McLean, Research and Bio-Products Manger for OSG.
An action plan for Soybean rust is in place in Canada, and government and industry players will continue to revise it as the situation develops. This winter growers across the province can attend information sessions and workshops to keep them better informed of the disease. An emergency use submission for four well-known fungicides was also filed with the Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) earlier this year.
“Soybean rust has not been detected in Ontario or Canada and we anticipate the disease’s impact to be less here then the southern United States,” says Albert Tenuta, Field Crop Plant Pathologist with OMAF. “Our geographic distance from the pathogens over-wintering locations in the southern US and our environmental conditions are less favourable for the fungus, and that lowers our risk.”
“CFIA is aware of the reported outbreak of soybean rust in the US, and we are managing the situation with our American Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) counterparts,” says Steve Cote, Commodity Officer, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). “We do not see the need for any regulatory action in Canada at this time.”
There are 25,000 soybean growers in Ontario. Soybeans are Ontario’s largest cash crop with a farm gate value of approximately $600 million.
Growers may visit www.soybean.on.ca for more information, or phone the Ontario Soybean Growers main office at 519-767-1744.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Bill Allison, Chair, Ontario Soybean Growers 905-877-9219
Matt McLean, Research and Bio-Products Manager, Ontario Soybean Growers 519-767-1919
Albert Tenuta, Field Crop Plant Pathologist, OMAF 519-360-8307
For media assistance contact Lisa McLean at 519-767-2773
Return To News Release Archives
|
|
|
|
