Milling & Baking News - November 16, 2004 - 11

I N D U S T R Y

A C T I V I T I E S

U.S.D.A. confirms presence of
Asian soybean rust in the U.S.
Continued from Page 1
world have been exporting to all markets," Dr. Collins said.
"The United States is the last major
soybean producing nation to be affected
by this soybean fungus," said Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm
Bureau Federation. "We have learned
from the experiences of other countries
and are better prepared to handle this
situation. U.S. soybeans should continue to have a solid standing in export
markets, now and in the future."
Soybean rust is spread primarily by
wind-borne spores. It is believed to have
been blown to the southern U.S. from
South America during this year's active
hurricane season and could be in other areas of the Gulf coast, according to APHIS.
"We feel that the entire Gulf coast
region needs to be surveyed," said Dr.
Ric Dunkle, deputy administrator of
APHIS.
Because it is wind-borne, there is no
way to prevent the spread of the disease, U.S.D.A. officials said.
"The risk of outbreak during the
next growing season will depend on
how early soybean rust emerges in the
southern U.S. and how quickly prevailing weather conditions promote the dispersal of soybean rust spores," said Neal

Bredehoeft, president of the American
Soybean Association.
Soybean rust has the potential to
cause large crop and economic losses to

soybean growers and related industries,
according to the A.S.A. The rust causes

Wheat Foods Council begins
national search for new president
PARKER, COLO. - The Wheat Foods
Council is searching for a new president
to provide leadership in executing its mission of nutrition marketing with a focus
on outreach and expansion into human
nutrition research.
The W.F.C.'s presidency opened when
Judi Adams stepped down from the post
Sept. 1 to take over as head of the Grain
Foods Foundation. Lori Sachau, the
W.F.C.'s director of nutrition and outreach,
has been named interim executive director
to manage the organization's programs in
the anticipated four to five months before
the group permanently fills the position.
"The Wheat Foods Council is needed
now more than ever to provide information and resources to the nutrition and
health communities," said Carol Pratt,
chairman of the W.F.C. and director of
nutrition and regulatory affairs at Kellogg
Co. "We need to hire a dynamic leader to
assist our members in making sure that
dietitians, physicians and other health

12 / Milling & Baking News, November 16, 2004

professionals have the resources they need
to communicate the essential role of grain
foods in a healthy diet to consumers."
The W.F.C. said it seeks an individual
able to administer a public relations
program and serve as a spokesperson to
media, government and industry.
In the meantime, Ms. Sachau will continue to lead the organization during its
search for a permanent replacement for
Ms. Adams.
"Lori has the experience to help the
Wheat Foods Council sustain and grow
its program in this challenging environment," Ms. Pratt said. "We're excited
about promoting our new book, 'It's the
Calories, Not the Carbs,' in conjunction
with the Pro-Carb Working Group and
commissioning the first Council-funded
human nutrition research study. Lori will
keep these projects moving forward for
the benefit of all."
Ms. Sachau joined the W.F.C. in 2000 as
communications specialist. Her responsibil-

soybean leaves to drop early, which inhibits pod setting and reduces yields, the
A.S.A. said. The disease poses no risk to
humans or animals but may affect other
legumes, such as green beans, snap beans
and pinto beans, the U.S.D.A. said.
There are no rust resistant or tolerant
soybean varieties, but the disease may
be managed through early detection
and the "judicious use of fungicides,"
the U.S.D.A. said. It has been effectively
controlled with fungicides in other
countries, the A.S.A. noted. In the United States, two fungicide labels are available and others are under review by the
Environmental Protection Agency.
The greatest impact will be to farmers' cost of production, the U.S.D.A.
and farm organizations agreed. While
the actual cost depends on the nature
of the outbreak, treatment costs would
add 15% to 20%, or about $25 per acre,
to the cost of soybean production, according to U.S.D.A. estimates. It could
also affect 2005 planted acreage if farmers in infected areas opt to plant other
crops.
Soybean rust is caused by two types
of fungus, either Phakopsora meibomiae (New World species) or Phakopsora pachyrhizi (Asian species). The
Asian species detected in the United
States is more aggressive and causes
more damage to plants, the U.S.D.A.
said. It is most common as tan or reddish
brown legions on leaves. MBN

ities have included providing sound nutrition information to media and other points
of contact to consumers plus communicating program progress to W.F.C. members.
She is a registered dietitian with a
bachelor's degree in dietetics from the
University of Northern Colorado and a
master's degree in public administration
from the University of Utah.
The W.F.C., formed in 1972, is an industry-wide partnership representing wheat
growers via state wheat checkoff organizations as well as milling, baking, cereal and
tortilla companies and associations. The
Council is the only national organization
that promotes the entire category of wheatbased foods, including bread, cereal, pasta,
crackers, sweet goods and tortillas.
To request a complete description of
job requirements and responsibilities,
please contact the W.F.C. office at (303)
840-8787. E-mail resumes to Carol Pratt at
carol.pratt@kellogg.com.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 1.
Final candidates for the position will be
invited to interview in late January 2005
in conjunction with the W.F.C.'s annual
board of directors meeting in Denver. MBN

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Milling & Baking News - November 16, 2004

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