Fusarium head blight (scab) risk has increased for very susceptible and susceptible varieties in North Dakota. Higher humidity and sporadic thunderstorms are predicted for most of the state this weekend and will likely increase scab risk in most areas. Also, fog and extended dew periods (into the early afternoon) have been frequently reported by agricultural professionals over the past couple days, thus scab concerns have increased for fully-head barley and flowering wheat. Continue to monitor the weather this weekend and start estimating growth stages in small grain fields. We will see an increase in fungicide activity (and decisions) for scab management next week. However, given the large variation in growth stages, we will see an extended season for fungicide decisions for scab.

--Andrew Friskop, Associate Professor and Cereal Extension Pathologist, North Dakota State University