The American Soybean Association (ASA) has been alerted to a confirmed case of Asian soybean rust about five degrees north of the equator in South America. “Confirmation of soybean rust above the equator signals the advancement of spores in the direction of the continental United States,” says ASA Chairman Ron Heck.

Based on weather models and experience with other diseases, experts predict a natural introduction of soybean rust spores would most likely enter the U.S. through the southern tier of states along the Gulf of Mexico. Soybean rust spores are easily transported in air currents and spread rapidly over wide distances, according to the ASA.

The association has been working to educate producers about the effects of soybean rust. It also has been working with the EPA to obtain approval of fungicide products to control soybean rust. Early detection will be critical to minimizing the spread of the disease.

Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO, announces it has received written notification that the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, has concluded its inquiry regarding possible anticompetitive conduct in the glyphosate-based herbicide industry. The inquiry was closed with no actions required by Monsanto.

The Fertilizer Industry Methamphetamine Task Force, Washington, DC, is optimistic a new product, GloTell, will help deter the theft of anhydrous ammonia for the illicit production of methamphetamine.

The theft of anhydrous ammonia for the production of the illegal drug continues to be of paramount concern to the fertilizer industry, and efforts to deter its theft are ongoing. Researchers at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, recently found the fertilizer additive GloTell to be both an effective theft deterrent and agronomically and environmentally safe. GloTell will stain thieves' hands and clothing a fluorescent pink. With scrubbing, the color becomes invisible to the naked eye. However, particles remain, and they continue to glow pink under ultraviolet light for up to 72 hours.

In addition to its use as a theft deterrent, the new additive serves as a leak detector, because it stains valves, pipes and fittings.

Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, IN, announces that the EPA has authorized Section 18 emergency exemptions for the active ingredients myclobutanil and propiconazole to be used in Mississippi. This adds another state to the list of those having gained approval to use the chemicals in the presence of soybean rust.

Bayer CropScience, Research Triangle Park, NC, says the EPA has granted a Section 18 quarantine exemption for its Folicur fungicide to control Asian soybean rust on soybeans in Minnesota and South Dakota.

EPA has approved the addition of forage and grain sorghum to the label of Stalwart herbicide made by Sipcam Agro USA. According to the company, the metolachlor product provides preemergence control of most annual grasses and small-seeded broadleaf weeds in a variety of crops, including cotton, soybeans and potatoes.

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