Recent rains have increased the possibility of diseases in the winter wheat crop.

Dr. Jessica Rutkoski, assistant professor at the University of Illinois, says head scab (or Fusarium Head Blight) is the biggest threat.

“It infects mostly at flowering or shortly after that.”  She says, “The major losses that it causes is due to the formation of the vomitoxin, and in addition to that, it can reduce the test weight.” 

She tells Brownfield fields that did not receive a fungicide treatment are at the greatest risk.

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