2024 Fusarium Head Blight Disease Impact Update
Fusarium Head Blight was Problematic, Predominately in Northern and Eastern Climates
November 4, 2024 – The U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI) is pleased to announce the publishing of its 2024 Fusarium Head Blight Disease Impact Update. This year commentary from experts in 32 states indicated FHB was more prevalent this season compared to recent years, primarily for those in the northern and eastern states of the U.S. A few states heard reports of dockages due to increased levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) and yield reductions. The southern regions, along with the Pacific Northwest, had more limited cases of FHB due to weather events not coinciding with growth stages when the crop is vulnerable to infection. Where FHB was prevalent, the FHB Risk Tool predicted high risk and growers were able to mitigate losses through the use of fungicide applications.
“The FHB Risk Tool and new varieties with improved FHB resistance, developed by experts collaborating with the USWBSI, have proved to reduce the risk of FHB when implemented by U.S. growers in a growing season such as we just had where FHB was prevalent,” said Ruth Dill-Macky, USWBSI Research Co-Chair. Growers and extension specialists are utilizing the information provided by the USWBSI in making production decisions and educating of effective management strategies including the FHB Risk Tool, fungicides, and crop varieties.
The Fusarium Head Blight Disease Impact Update provides an annual report of the crop growing conditions as well as the impact of FHB on wheat and barley in different regions of the United States. Additionally, photos from the different growing regions have been included to highlight specific crop conditions. The USWBSI has been releasing this update article annually since 2010 to provide insight into the impact of FHB during the most recent growing season.
For readers interested in learning more about Fusarium Head Blight of wheat and barley visit ScabUSA to find publications and resources produced by USWBSI-funded researchers. Producers can also view the USWBSI FHB Risk Tool developed by researchers in the USWBSI, to monitor FHB risk during the growing season. Real-time FHB Alerts sent out during the growing season are also provided by the USWBSI free of charge, learn more and subscribe on the website.
The USWBSI is a national multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research consortium whose goal is to develop effective control measures that minimize the threat of Fusarium Head Blight (scab), including the production of mycotoxins, for producers, processors and consumers of wheat and barley. The USWBSI’s more than $8.6 million annual allocation comes from Federal funds appropriated through the USDA-ARS and is distributed to nearly 125 research projects in more than 30 states.
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