10 CapitalPress.com
January 19, 2018
Stripe rust forecast ‘low,’ but that could change
Warm weather, snow
cover help fungus survive
By MATTHEW WEAVER
Capital Press
The first stripe rust forecast of 2018
for Pacific Northwest wheat is for a low
risk of infection, but a researcher warns
that could easily change.
The forecast indicates stripe rust will
likely be in the “low epidemic level”
range, with 0 to 20 percent yield loss,
said Xianming Chen, plant pathologist
at the USDA Agricultural Research
Service in Pullman, Wash. Highly sus-
ceptible winter wheat varieties would
likely have 6 percent yield loss and
other varieties would have less than 3
percent yield loss, he said.
If Chen’s forecast stands, he said,
early fungicide application at the time
of herbicide application would not be
necessary. The forecast is based on No-
vember and December temperatures,
Chen said.
However, forecasts can drastically
change, he warned.
The latest prediction is similar to the
forecast he issued at the same time last
year, but a second forecast in 2017 was
far different from the first.
“Last year, the rust was very se-
vere,” Chen said.
His next prediction will be based on
the entire winter. Winter weather deter-
mines how much rust survives, Chen
said. The disease is more likely to sur-
vive with a good snow cover.
“This year, so far, there’s not very
much snow cover,” he said.
The temperature also determines
rust survival. Rust does not survive
temperatures below 5 degrees.
The picture will be clearer in March,
when he issues his updated forecast, he
said.
Don Drader, agronomy service
representative for Syngenta in Moses
Lake, Wash., advised farmers to follow
rust reports from Chen and from Ore-
gon State University.
They should also start scouting their
fields now, he said. Rust spores can be
viable during warmer periods. He rec-
ommends farmers check the draws, ar-
eas that get a little more humidity and
look for foreign innoculants.
“The more frequently they can check
them, the better off,” he said.
Growers also need to grow wheat
varieties with rust resistance, he said.
Little stripe rust is predicted so far this
year, but that could change, a USDA
researcher says. He recommends that
farmers monitor their fields and keep an
eye on the weather to gauge whether the
rust outlook will change.
.
University of Idaho
Idaho FFA Members
Shine at National FFA
Convention and Expo
Boise, Idaho — Over 600 Idaho FFA members, advisors and supporters traveled to
Indianapolis, Indiana, in October for the 90th National FFA Convention and Expo.
Members participated in Career Development Events, Leadership Development Events,
workshops, community service and participated in sessions where they heard from the
national FFA officers and motivational speakers including Laila Ali, four-time
undefeated boxing world champion and daughter of the late Muhammad Ali. Five Idaho
FFA members served as delegates to the convention.
Rigby FFA member, Margaret Mackin, was awarded first place nationally in the
Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management Proficiency. Nate Connell
of Fruitland FFA placed first individual nationally in the Milk Quality and Products
Career Development Event, and Dalton Johnson of Rigby FFA was the second highest
placing individual in the Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development
Event.
In addition to these outstanding individual placings, the following chapters received the
highest honor of a gold ranking in the following events:
• Rigby: Environmental and Natural Resources CDE.
• Kuna: Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event.
• Fruitland: Milk Quality and Products CDE and Agronomy CDE.
• Cambridge: Floriculture CDE.
• Meridian: Veterinary Science CDE and Food Science and Technology CDE.
• Nampa: Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE.
In addition, 12 Idaho FFA members or chapters placed in the silver ranking and five
earned bronze.
The American Falls FFA Chapter was named a Premier Chapter and was a finalist for
the Model of Excellence award for its “The Fast and the Farmers” project that aimed at
strengthening agriculture. Through the National Chapter Award Program, American
Falls is recognized one of the top 10 chapters in the nation. Marc Beitia, American Falls
FFA advisor, says, “It was an honor for our chapter from a rural community in Idaho to
be considered as a national Model of Excellence. Our work in growing leaders, building
communities and strengthening agriculture serves as a foundation for American Falls
FFA as we strive to produce tomorrow’s leaders while serving our agricultural
community. It was also rewarding to be recognized as a Premier Chapter for our efforts
with the JR Simplot Company as we work side-by-side during the annual Simplot
Games to increase the agricultural literacy of the athletes from across the country and
around the world.”
Along with American Falls, Rigby FFA also earned the Three Star chapter honor at the
convention. Bonners Ferry, Homedale, Kuna and Vallivue FFA Chapters received a
national Two Star ranking, and Meridian FFA received a One Star ranking.
Gretchen Hansten of Jerome FFA represented Idaho as its national FFA officer
candidate. Gretchen did an outstanding job making it into the final stage of the selection
process.
Idaho was represented in three divisions of the Agriscience Fair with a Bronze Ranking
for the projects from Highland-Craigmont and Council FFA chapters.
Three Idahoans received the coveted Honorary American degree, recognizing their
efforts to make a difference in the lives of students through FFA and agricultural
education on the national level. These are Rita Ball of Kuna, Jodie Mink, Cambridge
FFA Advisor and agriculture and natural resources instructor, and Rev. Cathi Braasch,
mother of the late Sarah Braasch Schmit, who accepted the honorary degree on behalf of
her daughter.
Fifty Idaho FFA members received the American FFA Degree, the highest degree
available to any FFA member.
Idaho FFA is proud of its 4,708 members in 95 chapters throughout the state. Idaho FFA
members competing at the national level were supported by companies’ generous
support through the Idaho FFA Foundation and local program sponsors who value
agricultural and natural resources education and FFA.
Left to right, Austen Thomason, Idaho FFA Treasurer, Weiser FFA;
Rev. Cathi Braasch receiving the late Sara Braasch Schmidt’s
Honorary American FFA Degree; Lindsey Stowell, Idaho FFA
President, Vallivue FFA; Randy Clements, Idaho FFA Vice
President, Dubois FFA
Margaret Mackin of Rigby FFA receives her National FFA
Proficiency Award. Left to right are Victoria Harris, National FFA
Secretary; Margaret Mackin; and Rigby FFA Advisors Robert Hale,
Lex Godfrey, and Holly Fullmer.
American Falls FFA receiving the Premier Chapter Award at the
National FFA Convention and Expo. In front are Aliyanna Broncho
and Ruben Gutierrez. In back is Daniel Heikkila, American Falls
FFA Advisor.
Gretchen Hansten, Jerome FFA,
2017 Idaho FFA National FFA
Officer Candidate.
Nathan Connell, Fruitland FFA,
first place individual in the Milk
Quality and Products Career
Development Event.
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