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2026 Stripe Rust Forecast: Can This Warm Winter Impact MT Wheat Growing Season?
Stripe rust, also known as yellow rust, is caused by the pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici. It is a fungal disease that affects wheat in many parts of the world. Stripe rust damages the plant by growing in the leaves and producing spores that break through the leaf surface.
Current Pulse Seedborne Disease Trend and Management Recommendations
Seed health testing is in full swing at the Regional Pulse Crop Diagnostic Lab (RPCDL). Preliminary data from RPCDL on ongoing seedborne fungal pathogen tests on pulses (from harvest 2025 to planting 2026) indicate a potential increase in the number of seed lots infected with diseases such as Ascochyta Blight, Gray Mold (Botrytis), Anthracnose (Colletotrichum), and Late Season Leaf Blight (Stemphylium) compared to previous years.
Considerations for Early Planting
Many Montana producers are preparing to plant nearly a month earlier than average this spring. Early field access provides advantages, including workload management and moisture capture, particularly in a year when drought is a concern. However, planting ahead of schedule also increases exposure to frost damage and early-season disease pressure from pathogens such as Pythium and Rhizoctonia, which thrive when seeds germinate slowly in cool soils. This AgAlert summarizes key early-planting considerations related to disease and insect pressures, agronomic conditions, and nutrient management.
Fall Management of Wheat Streak Mosaic: Host Resistance and Planting Date
Recent late-season rains across much of Montana have created conditions that may delay harvest, trigger pre-harvest sprouting in wheat and barley, and promote mold development in mature crops. These conditions also encourage the emergence of volunteer wheat and grassy weeds–key contributors to the “green bridge” that allows wheat streak mosaic (WSM) disease to persist and spread in the landscape.
2025 Pest Management Tour offers Last Chance Credit Opportunities for Private Pesticide Applicators across Northcentral Montana
The Montana State University (MSU) Extension Pesticide Education Program (PEP) is offering the 2025 Pest Management Tour for pesticide applicators in Private Applicator Training (PAT) District 3 from September 29th to October 3rd. The tour will cover nine locations in five days with support from MSU County Extension Agents. Private applicators may attend the morning or afternoon session for three private applicator credits, or all day for six credits. Commercial applicator credits are also available and can be viewed on the PMT event website.
Fall Management of Wheat Streak Mosaic: Understanding and Disrupting the Green Bridge
Recent late-season rains across much of Montana have created conditions that may delay harvest, trigger pre-harvest sprouting in wheat and barley, and promote mold development in mature crops. These conditions also encourage the emergence of volunteer wheat and grassy weeds–key contributors to the “green bridge” that allows wheat streak mosaic (WSM) disease to persist and spread in the landscape.
Watch for Wheat Diseases During Harvest
As wheat harvest progresses across Montana, it’s important to keep an eye out for diseases that may have developed late in the season or become noticeable at harvest that can still impact yield, grain quality or seed viability. Identifying disease issues now can help in making post-harvest decisions, planning seed for next season, and understanding potential impacts on grain quality.
Managing Wheat Streak Mosaic in Your Cereal Crops This Summer
Wheat streak mosaic disease (WSM) is making a strong return this season. Nearly a decade after the 2015-2016 outbreak, the Schutter Diagnostic Lab is seeing a spike in cases, especially across Montana’s Golden Triangle. This AgAlert provides a refresher on identifying and managing WSM in your current crop.
Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Wheat Diseases
The North Central Regional Committee on Management of Small Grain Diseases (NCERA-184) has developed the following information on fungicide efficacy for control of certain foliar diseases of wheat for use by the grain production industry in the United States. Efficacy ratings for each fungicide listed in the table were determined by field testing the materials over multiple years and locations by the members of the committee. Efficacy is based on proper application timing to achieve optimum effectiveness of the fungicide as determined by labeled instructions and overall level of disease in the field at the time of application. Differences in efficacy among fungicide products were determined by direct comparisons among products in field tests and are based on a single application of the labeled rate as listed in the table. The table includes most widely marketed products, and is not intended to be a list of all labeled products. Many products have specific use restrictions. Restrictions may be present on the amount of active ingredient that can be applied within a period of time or on the number of sequential applications that can occur. Read and follow all use restrictions before applying any fungicide.
Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Corn Foliar Diseases
The Corn Disease Working Group (CDWG) developed ratings for how well fungicides control major corn diseases in the United States. The CDWG determined efficacy ratings for each fungicide listed in the table by field testing the materials over multiple years and locations. Ratings are based on the product’s level of disease control and does not necessarily reflect yield increases obtained from product application. A product’s efficacy depends upon proper application timing, rate, and application method as determined by the product label and overall disease level in the field at the time of application. Differences in efficacy among each fungicide product were determined by directly comparing products in field tests using a single application of the labeled rate. For application timing and use considerations, please contact your local cooperative extension service. The table is not intended to be a list of all labeled products. Additional fungicides are labeled for disease on corn. Other fungicides may be available for diseases not listed in the table, including Diplodia, Gibberella, and Fusarium ear rots. Many products have specific use restrictions about the amount of active ingredient that can be applied within a period of time or the amount of sequential applications that can occur. Read and follow all use restrictions prior to applying any fungicide.
Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Alfalfa Diseases
The North Central Integrated Pest Management Alfalfa Working Group has developed ratings for how well fungicides control major alfalfa diseases in the United States. This group determined efficacy ratings for each fungicide listed in the table by field testing the materials over multiple years and locations. Ratings are based on the product’s level of disease control only. A product’s efficacy depends upon proper application timing, rate, and application method as determined by the product label and overall disease level in the field at the time of application. Differences in efficacy among each fungicide product were determined by comparing products in University field testing programs. For application timing and use considerations, please contact your local cooperative extension service. Products listed in the table are labeled for pure alfalfa stands. Not all products listed are labeled for use in mixed alfalfa/grass stands. The table is not intended to be a list of all labeled products, and products may be labeled to control additional diseases such as downy mildew, powdery mildew, and rust. Many products have specific use restrictions about the amount of active ingredient that can be applied within a period of time or the amount of sequential applications that can occur. Read and follow all use restrictions prior to applying any fungicide.
