MISSOURI (WGEM) - The Crop Protection Network reports in the 2024 growing season around 244,000 bushels of corn were lost in the United States because of southern rust.

Mandy Bish, University of Missouri assistant professor and state extension crop pathologist, said corn rust is a disease caused by a fungus that thrives in high humidity and temperatures. She said over the last two years, corn rust has become a bigger problem than normal, causing losses to crops.

“And it is, can be fairly aggressive, substantial yield loses if it comes in at a time when our corn starts forming those tassels on top and ears begin to develop,” Bish said.

Each season, corn rust begins in the southern states, but Bish said it begins to migrate north thanks to the wind.

“It can move in the air long distances

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