Southern rust confirmed in Thayer County

The southern rust crop disease has been confirmed in Thayer County according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln CropWatch.

Southern rust is a disease that affects the corn crop. One indication of the disease is sudden development of yellow flecks on the leaves of the corn. These flecks have been known to show up in early stages of the disease.

Cooler than usual seasonal temperatures this summer may have slowed the spread of the disease in the earlier part of the season. Although with warmer temperatures  along with high humidity recently,  the spread of the disease has been rapidly increasing according to CropWatch.

The disease is also spread through the wind blowing spores to other fields.

Since the first confirmations in July, 22 other Nebraska counties have been added to the list of those with confirmed cases of southern rust.