White Mold Remains Costly Threat to Soybean Growers

The aggressive disease can lead to significant yield losses without timely treatment.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — Crop specialists are warning soybean growers to keep white mold top of mind as the growing season progresses.

Ken Deibert with BASF says white mold cost farmers more than $280 million in yield losses in 2024 and can be devastating without timely management.

“It’s definitely a very aggressive disease. Certainly a disease we all want to keep our minds on in soybean growing areas, and certainly it tends to affect the soybean crop from canopy closure on. You know once you’ve had a history of white mold in that field, whether it’s from growing soybeans or crops like dry edible beans, canola, sunflowers, etc you know it usually persists as a problem in future years.”

Deibert says the management window for white mold is much smaller than many farmers realize, lasting just two to three weeks.

Related Stories
Funding will support studies focused on production challenges, crop management and new opportunities for growers.
The trip gave researchers a firsthand look at Brazil’s massive sugarcane industry and production practices.
USDA Undersecretary for Trade Luke Lindberg says expanding export demand is creating new opportunities for U.S. ethanol producers.
Cover crops may improve soil and reduce input needs over time, but producers should budget carefully before expanding acreage.
Export inspections showed continued strength in corn movement, while China remained a key destination for soybeans.
Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says the proposal would allow retailers to decide whether they want to offer E15 year-round.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins outlined federal efforts to contain the pest and prevent further spread.
USMEF says several African markets continue imposing barriers that limit opportunities for American meat exports.
John and Savannah Scarborough have expanded their operation to include livestock, microgreens, and compost production.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold addressed growing concerns surrounding Lyme disease and other illnesses carried by ticks.
The university’s dairy program combines hands-on education, technology and dairy production.
The family operation offers farm-raised meats, fresh produce, and an on-site market for visitors.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.