June 22, 2009
Fungus Threatens World Wheat Crop
A disease that attacks wheat crops is wiping out production of the grain in the Middle East and Africa, and scientists are now concerned the fungus could spread to the United States. If it reaches the Imperial Valley, it could have a devastating effect on local wheat crops.
Wheat production played a prominent role in Imperial County agricultural picture last year.The fungus, known as UG99, or “stem rust”, was first found in eastern Africa Scientists say it is spreading rapidly to the Mideast, Iran, and India. The fungus is called stem rust because it appears as reddish-brown blisters on wheat crops.
The primary concern for crop researchers is that the fungus can be transported through the air, and it can attach itself to clothing. It is also possible it could be transported during air travel, therefore it is possible the spores of the fungus could spread to the United States and threaten crops here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website, the fungus ravages wheat crops, with possible crop losses of between 50 and 70 percent. Individual fields can be totally wiped out. According to the USDA, the damage from the fungus is greatest when the disease attacks the crop before the grain is fully developed.
To learn more about wheat stem rust, click HERE
If the fungus does make it to Imperial County, it could have a brutal effect on a crop that has emerged as one of the leading field crops in Imperial Valley.
According to the 2008 Agricultural Crop and Livestock report prepared by Imperial County Agricultural Commissioner Stephen Birdsall, wheat production played a prominent role in Imperial County agricultural picture last year.
According to the report, field crops produced a 56 percent gain in earnings, largely due to increased wheat production and prices. Wheat production rankings moved from 14th to third in Imperial county in 2008.
According to the report, Imperial Valley farmers worked 116, 650 acres in 2008, and produced about 3.57 tons of wheat per acre. The commodity sold for an average of $309.27 per ton, for a yearly cash value of $128,793,000.
To view the entire 2008 Agricultural Crop and Livestock report, click HERE
To view the California Wheat Commission Website, click HERE
Wheat production played a prominent role in Imperial County agricultural picture last year.The fungus, known as UG99, or “stem rust”, was first found in eastern Africa Scientists say it is spreading rapidly to the Mideast, Iran, and India. The fungus is called stem rust because it appears as reddish-brown blisters on wheat crops.
The primary concern for crop researchers is that the fungus can be transported through the air, and it can attach itself to clothing. It is also possible it could be transported during air travel, therefore it is possible the spores of the fungus could spread to the United States and threaten crops here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website, the fungus ravages wheat crops, with possible crop losses of between 50 and 70 percent. Individual fields can be totally wiped out. According to the USDA, the damage from the fungus is greatest when the disease attacks the crop before the grain is fully developed.
To learn more about wheat stem rust, click HERE
If the fungus does make it to Imperial County, it could have a brutal effect on a crop that has emerged as one of the leading field crops in Imperial Valley.
According to the 2008 Agricultural Crop and Livestock report prepared by Imperial County Agricultural Commissioner Stephen Birdsall, wheat production played a prominent role in Imperial County agricultural picture last year.
According to the report, field crops produced a 56 percent gain in earnings, largely due to increased wheat production and prices. Wheat production rankings moved from 14th to third in Imperial county in 2008.
According to the report, Imperial Valley farmers worked 116, 650 acres in 2008, and produced about 3.57 tons of wheat per acre. The commodity sold for an average of $309.27 per ton, for a yearly cash value of $128,793,000.
To view the entire 2008 Agricultural Crop and Livestock report, click HERE
To view the California Wheat Commission Website, click HERE