Agronomists from the University of Missouri are warning corn and soybean producers about two new diseases to be on the lookout for.

Agronomist Rusty Lee, who is based out of the Montgomery County office, said corn producers need to be on the lookout for “Tar Spot” disease. Signs of the disease include what appears to be insect frass with no evidence of insects. Lee said the disease came from Indiana and Illinois and has already been confirmed in some parts of northeast Missouri including Audrain County.

“It’s trying to make its way down out of Monroe and Ralls counties and trying to make its way into Montgomery, and Callaway counties and we’re trying to identify it there and be aware of it for the next growing season,” Lee said.

Lee said if any producer sees these signs to contact the Extension as soon as possible. He said the Extension will offer educational opportunities but they’re also still in the process of trying to figure out what to do.

“When you look at a leaf and you see what looks like insect manure but there’s no insect feeding anywhere and you try to just flick it off with your fingernail and it doesn’t come off, you need to call me at the extension office,” Lee said.

Lee said they do know that it affects different varieties in different ways.

“We’re still in the process of determining a fungicide program that will work best on slowing it down,” Lee said. “Yeah, more money to spend on the corn crop.”

Soybean producers also have a new fungal disease to look out for. Red crown rot has not been found in eastern Missouri yet but it has been found in Illinois. Lee said it can look like similar issues producers already deal with.

“If a producer has some soybean fields that had death loss or unexplained patches of dead beans in a field they ought to be giving the Extension office a call,” Lee said. “We can come take a look and see if it’s nematodes, sudden death syndrome, or if it’s this new red crown rot.