During winter extension meetings, three of the most common questions asked about Asian soybean rust were: when will soybean rust show up in the northern United States; how early should a spray application be made; and how many sprays would be needed. It is incorrect that once soybean rust outbreaks occur in coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, the disease can be airborne to Iowa within 2 to 3 days and defoliate soybeans in a week or two if no chemical is applied immediately after the spores arrive. Another recent question is whether spraying at the vegetative growth stage is needed. To address all these questions, we need to know the most likely stage of soybean rust when it appears in the United States
