Soybean disease finally hits

USA TODAY

Asian soybean rust may be the biggest challenge to U.S. soybean producers in a decade. The disease doesn't make soybeans dangerous for human or animal consumption, but a USDA study says the cost to American farmers could be $1 billion in its first year.

Greg Tylka, professor of plant pathology at ISU, says, "We certainly don't want apathy, but we don't want panic, either. We're trying to get as much science-based information to the growers and to the people who work with growers, so they don't overreact."

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Tests show no mad cow disease

Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Unlike last year, beef markets were calmer during the latest suspected case of mad cow disease, says Iowa State livestock economist John Lawrence. The USDA conducted two lab tests on the cow tissue and announced Nov. 23 that both were negative.

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Reinventing the soybean

The Des Moines Register

Trans fat-free soybean varieties developed at Iowa State have come just in time for food manufacturers, who face new nutrition labeling requirements in 2006. The soybeans are being grown, refined and packaged in Iowa to create a new low-linolenic oil, marketed under the Asoyia brand to food service customers. A group of southeastern Iowa farmers hopes to raise 55,000 acres of the soybeans next year and needs more farmers to raise the crop.

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