University plant pathologists and scientists from the USDAAnimal
Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) and
USDA-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food mobilized in January of
2003 to form a North Central Regional Association (NCRA) committee
designated NC-504 “Soybean Rust: A New Pest of Soybean
Production” to prepare for the anticipated arrival of SBR in continental
North America. The purpose of the committee was to develop
plans for SBR detection, monitoring, and management, and
to develop educational materials for other scientists and agribusiness
personnel, including farmers