May Wheat Rust Outlook

In checking wheat around the state, I have found no evidence for wheat leaf rust overwintering to date. But, we need to keep a watchful eye out in the southern U.S. as wheat development progresses. Right now, wheat leaf rust has been on the increase in parts of Kansas and Oklahoma, and the weather fronts that have been moving across Wisconsin can lead to spore movement from those areas. We will continue to monitor wheat as we move closer to flag leaf emergence for wheat rust in order to make the most effective recommendations.

Photo credit: C. Grau, UW-Madison