Wheat in Southeast Kansas is ahead of schedule in 2026 and is rapidly entering the heading and flowering growth stages of development. Flowering (Feekes 10.5.1 - https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/wheat-growth-and-development-poster…) is the critical window for a fungicide application to control Fusarium head blight (scab). Because of high relative humidity and recent warm temperatures, this region (Southeast Kansas) is currently at high risk for Fusarium head blight according to the Fusarium Risk Tool (https://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/). This risk is forecasted to continue through the week. Montgomery, Wilson, Neosho, Crawford, Allen, Woodson, and Cherokee counties appear to be at highest risk. Moderate risk extends into counties in the south-central part of the state, including parts of Cowley, Sumner, Harper Sedgwick and Harvey counties.

Well-timed fungicide applications are recommended for Fusarium head blight control in Kansas when weather is favorable for the disease, particularly for susceptible varieties. Wheat planted into corn residue will be at the highest risk. Products like Miravis Ace, Prosaro Pro and Sphaerex can be effective and should be applied within the flowering period for maximum efficacy. Products containing FRAC group 11 active ingredients should not be sprayed for Fusarium head blight control. Although our state-wide wheat rust risk has been low to date, products labeled for Fusarium head blight will also provide excellent protection against leaf and stripe rust (should they develop later in the grain filling period). More information about product efficacy for Fusarium head blight and other wheat diseases can be found here: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/foliar-fungicide-efficacy-ratin…. It is important to keep an eye on pre-harvest restrictions at this point in the season. The products listed above have either a 30-day pre-harvest interval (cannot be applied within 30 days of harvest) or cannot be applied after Feekes 10.5.4 (end of flowering, watery ripe growth stage).

--Kelsey Andersen Onofre, Assistant Professor, Wheat Extension Specialist, Kansas State University

Drought conditions remain moderate to severe across much of Virginia. Although a weather system moved through the state on April 19, most major small grain production areas received little rainfall (<0.1 inch). Combined with the warm temperatures observed last week, these dry conditions are accelerating winter wheat development. Much of the wheat in the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and Eastern Shore has headed or is approaching heading, and some fields have started flowering.

As of April 20, 2026, the risk of Fusarium Head Blight is low across most production regions, although pockets of moderate risk remain. Fields planted no-till into corn residue are at greater risk, especially when susceptible varieties were used. Growers with susceptible wheat planted into no-till corn stubble may still benefit from a timely fungicide application.

Because heat and drought can move wheat through growth stages more quickly than expected, scout fields frequently so fungicides can still be applied at the correct stage, Feekes 10.5.1 (beginning flowering).

--Douglas S. Higgins, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agriculture Research and Extension Center

Despite receiving some much-needed rainfall recently, Fusarium head blight (FHB) risk continues to be low across most of Kentucky, with a few small areas in a medium risk. Some early maturing wheat varieties began anthesis (Feekes 10.51 growth stage) last week in the most southern counties, and additional wheat fields will continue to begin anthesis over the coming days.

With the current low risk, factors such as susceptibility of the variety, forecasted rainfall in the coming days, and leaf disease incidence and risk should be considered. University of Kentucky research trials have shown that fungicide applications made at the Feekes 10.51 growth stage will also provide protection against leaf diseases, thus, scouting for leaf diseases, such as the Septoria leaf blotch complex, may help in a fungicide application decision.

The Wheat Foliar Fungicide Efficacy Guide located on the Crop Protection Network (https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/) provides information on the efficacy of different fungicide products against several important diseases of wheat.

--Dr. Carl A. Bradley, Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

Welcome to the wheat and barley heading and flowering season, Maryland! This is the first FHB risk forecast for this season from me, and I will continue to provide you with regular commentaries over the next 6-7 weeks. Wheat is some weeks away from flowering, but barley is starting/ will soon start to head, especially in the Eastern shore of the state. Right now, the risk map (below) is showing moderate FHB risk, however, this may change with the predicted rain over this weekend. So, if you have planted barley, keep monitoring closely for the FHB risk over the next couple of weeks. If your barley is starting to head, you might consider applying fungicides on it. If you are still some weeks away from your barley heading, keep monitoring for the risk. Unfortunately, for barley, there are no FHB-resistant varieties available so far. Remember, the best stage for applying FHB fungicides on barley is when the heads are completely out of the boots. The FHB fungicides are triazole-containing products (Miravis-Ace, Prosaro, Prosaro-Pro, Sphaerex). Do not apply strobilurin-containing fungicides. Wheat is continuing to tiller/ joint currently and is not at a stage susceptible to FHB susceptible right now. I observed some tip burn in our field plots at the Wye, which may be due to freeze-damage by the sudden dip in temperature last week.

--Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist, University of Maryland

Head scab risk is low across most of North Carolina due to the drought. The entire state is in severe or extreme drought, with no rain in the forecast. Southeastern counties such as Duplin, Onslow and Pender have higher levels of scab risk for susceptible wheat varieties. Much wheat in that area is in the heading and flowering stages, when it is vulnerable to scab infection.

For wheat planted with conventional tillage, low scab risk means a fungicide is unlikely to be profitable. If your wheat was planted no-till into corn debris, a large amount of that debris is still on the soil surface, AND your variety is rated susceptible to scab, a fungicide might be profitable even if forecasted risk is low.

To check if your variety is susceptible, visit the NC OVT site: https://ncovt.medius.re/wheat. Find your variety and scroll down to Disease Ratings.

--Christina Cowger, Small Grains Pathologist, USDA-ARS, NC State University

As of April 6, 2026, the Fusarium Head Blight risk forecast model indicates a medium risk for the primary wheat-producing regions of the state. In the southern region, overall wheat growth has passed anthesis and is transitioning into grain fill. The primary concern for wheat and oats in Georgia is the persistent dry conditions. There have been no reports of Fusarium Head Blight from county agents, growers, or consultants so far. Continue monitoring the Fusarium Risk Tool to make an informed decision regarding the need of fungicide application for FHB management.

--Alfredo Martinez-Espinoza, Professor and Extension Specialist , University of Georgia

Wheat across North Carolina is approaching or in boot stage, so it is time to think about head scab (Fusarium head blight). Wheat heads can be infected by Fusarium at flowering. The risk forecasting tool estimates scab risk for wheat flowering on the day that you select (www.wheatscab.psu.edu). At the moment, most of North Carolina has low risk for scab, which makes sense because across the state, we are in moderate to extreme drought.

High relative humidity and mild temperatures increase risk, so watch out for rain as your wheat approaches heading. If risk becomes moderate to high, the best time to apply fungicide to wheat is early- to mid-flowering or even a few days later. In winter barley, the best time for a scab-targeted fungicide is around 6 days after 100% head emergence. Scab is not effectively managed by fungicide applications prior to flowering in wheat and full heading in barley. The most effective fungicides for scab reduction are Miravis Ace, Prosaro Pro, and Sphaerex. Do not apply strobilurin-containing products after flag leaf.

For wheat planted with conventional tillage, low scab risk means a fungicide is unlikely to be profitable. For wheat planted no-till, especially into corn debris, a fungicide may be profitable even if forecasted risk is low. Variety resistance is also important in deciding whether to spray. For a wheat variety's scab resistance level, visit the NC OVT site: https://ncovt.medius.re/wheat. Find your variety and scroll down to Disease Ratings.

--Christina Cowger, Small Grains Pathologist, USDA-ARS, NC State University

Welcome to the Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center. These tools provide daily estimates of disease risk for wheat in 35 states. The risk map is showing some moderate levels of disease risk for areas along the Mississippi River in LA, MS, AR and TN. Most wheat in this area is unlikely to be at heading and flowering stages of growth that are most vulnerable to the disease.

Tips for using the risk maps:

The tool shows the disease risk for susceptible wheat varieties for today's date. Clicking on the map will activate graphs that display a 14-day summary of weather and disease risk for the selected location. Risk maps based on 2, 4 or 6 days of forecasted weather can help users anticipate future trends in disease risk. These maps are available by selecting the 2d, 4d and 6d buttons to the right of the calendar menu.

You can use the menu button on the upper left to view risk maps for wheat varieties with different levels of genetic resistance to Fusarium head blight. This menu also provides options for viewing additional map features or restricting area displayed to just the major wheat production areas.

The risk model was updated for the 2026. This update better accounts for recent research observations gather across the country. Unlike in previous years, the new model no longer requires users to specify whether they are interested in spring or winter wheat. Instead, the model focuses on weather conditions that consistently favor disease development across all classes of wheat.

--Erick DeWolf, Plant Pathologist, Kansas State University

The Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center is active for the 2026 growing season. These tools provide daily estimates of disease risk for wheat in 35 states. The tool shows the disease risk for susceptible wheat varieties for today's date. Clicking on the map will activate graphs that display a 14-day summary of weather and disease risk for the selected location. Risk maps based on 2, 4 or 6 days of forecasted weather can help users anticipate future trends in disease risk. These maps are available by selecting the 2d, 4d and 6d buttons to the right of the calendar menu.

You can use the menu button on the upper left to view risk maps for wheat varieties with different levels of genetic resistance to Fusarium head blight. This menu also provides options for viewing additional map features or restricting area displayed to just the major wheat production areas.

The risk model was updated for the 2026. This update better accounts for recent research observations gather across the country. Unlike in previous years, the new model no longer requires users to specify whether they are interested in spring or winter wheat. Instead, the model focuses on weather conditions that consistently favor disease development across all classes of wheat.

--Erick DeWolf, Plant Pathologist, Kansas State University

Wheat in much of the country is now past the growth stages that are most vulnerable to Fusarium head blight. The daily updates of the risk maps will end soon. However, the maps from earlier in the 2025 season will remain available for several months so that users can review the outcomes for this year. We hope to see you next season when these tools are reset for 2026.

--Erick DeWolf, Plant Pathologist, Kansas State University