Fusarium head blight (also known as “scab”) of wheat is the most damaging disease that regularly occurs in Kentucky and other wheat growing states. Causing both yield and quality losses, this disease caused an estimated annual average loss of over 28 million bushels worth over $147 million in the United States between 2018 and 2021.

Dr. Carl Bradley and two colleagues from North Dakota State University (Dr. Andrew Friskop) and the University of Idaho (Dr. Juliet Marshall) led the development of a multi-state webinar, known as “Scabinar”, that was focused on educating stakeholders on the biology and management of Fusarium head blight. Scabinar was held on March 15, 2022.

With over 175 people attending the live Scabinar and many more viewing the recording later (available at https://scabusa.org/scabinar), many stakeholders improved their knowledge on managing Fusarium head blight. Attendees of the live Scabinar hailed from several states in the U.S. and from four other countries (Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, and India). A post-Scabinar survey of attendees revealed that attendees improved their knowledge base of topics such as disease cycle, fungicide timing, fungicide selection, crop rotation, and variety selection. Wheat growers in Kentucky and other wheat-growing states will use the information presented in the Scabinar to help mitigate losses caused by Fusarium head blight and to increase quality of their wheat crop and the profitability of their farm.

Funding to support the Scabinar was obtained by the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative.