November 22, 2006

Soybean rust found in Brazil's Minas Gerais

Asian soybean rust was detected in Uberaba in the Triangulo Mineiro region of Minas Gerais, located on the Sao Paulo border, the local Estado newswire reported.

The government-run Minas Gerais Farm Research Company, Epamig, said the fungus was found late last week. Epamig could not be reached for comment.

Asian soybean rust can be treated with fungicides. If not treated, the fungus ultimately destroys the leaves of the plant.

This is the second report of soybean rust over the last three business days. Mato Grosso detected soybean rust on roughly eight properties on Friday, compared to 22 properties at this time last year.

Minas Gerais is in the early stages of its 2006/07 soy planting season.

Brazil is expected to harvest between 53.5 million and 56 million tonnes this season, according to public and private estimates at this time.