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
The award recognizes wheat varieties that deliver strong results throughout the milling and baking process
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities discusses late-season planting progress, market fundamentals heading into summer, and the influence of biofuel policy on grain demand.
Avocado growers and buyers face sharp price swings when Mexican supply changes faster than alternative sources can respond.
Corn exports are strengthening the trade outlook, but lower soybean movement and weaker demand from China remain major concerns.
Higher domestic ethanol blending supports corn demand even as weekly production and export volumes decline.
Specialty crop growers should confirm eligible acreage and application access early to avoid missing available assistance.

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:

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 trip gave researchers a firsthand look at Brazil’s massive sugarcane industry and production practices.
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.
Women from across the farm sector gathered in Washington to discuss leadership, advocacy and industry opportunities
Agriculture Shows
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Farm Traveler is for people who want to connect with their food and those who grow it. Thanks to direct-to-consumer businesses, agritourism, and social media, it’s now easier than ever to learn how our food is made and support local farmers. Here on the Farm Traveler, we want to connect you with businesses offering direct-to-consumer products you can try at home, agritourism sites you can visit with your family, and exciting new technologies that are changing how your food is being grown.
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.
RFD-TV has partnered with a handful of agricultural social media influencers whom we have dubbed The New Crop. These folks have taken to the internet to tell their stories and to raise awareness of where our food comes from and all that goes into feeding the world population.