American Crystal Sugar Company and USDA are partnering to create early cercospora detection data. General Agronomist Joe Hastings says scientists are using DNA sampling. “We found 100 percent of our samples during the week of July 4 all had cercospora in the DNA in leaves so it’s there even if we can’t see the spots.” Most beet growers started their cercospora spray program the first week of July. “Some growers have even started their second fungicide application to prevent cercospora from taking over.”
