MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Farmers trying to stay ahead of the Asian soybean rust threat to their Mississippi crop have a new information resource.

Alan Blaine, soybean specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said as of late May, the disease had not been detected in any of Mississippi or Alabama’s sentinel plots, although it has been detected in five patches of kudzu in Alabama. Those monitoring the disease have not seen it move yet to any soybeans this year.

Those wishing to have the most current information available about the soybean rust threat and its location can call a toll-free number for updates or sign up for an automatic e-mail service that provides this information. Information via telephone is available at (800) 516-0865.

Growers interested in Asian soybean rust e-mail alerts should visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Web site at http://www.sbrusa.net/. This site allows those interested to submit an e-mail address and sign up for region-specific alerts or nationwide alerts.

“Growers will receive an e-mail alert once a county has a positive confirmation of Asian soybean rust,” Blaine said. “This alert will say that a county has been turned red or red checked, meaning a positive confirmation of rust has been made in that county and the field has been destroyed to prevent further production of the fungus.”

The hotline is a joint effort by MSU and Louisiana State University with funding from the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board and BASF chemical company.