Support for Series of Soybean Rust Training Workshops by Dr. Tadashi Yorinori, Soybean Rust Specialist form Brazil
FAR-05-01

The purpose of this project was to provide funding to bring Dr. Jose Tadashi Yorinori, Soybean Rust Specialist from Brazil (EMBRAPA) to the U.S. to help conduct a series of workshops to train people to be able to recognize, identify, and manage Asian Soybean Rust. Much effort and resources both public and private have gone into ASR education, without which we would not be nearly as prepared as we are. Many people can now do a straight forward rust identification and recommend the right fungicide to spray. However evaluating the efficacy of the fungicide application and if and when a second application is needed is much more complicated, and can vary in each situation. Dr Yorinori has several seasons of experience analyzing all levels of infection and risk on commercial farms under real world conditions. Dr. Yorinori spent 10 days in February 2005 traveling with a group of 28 pathologists and soybean specialists from the U.S. as they visited farms and research centers throughout Brazil. This group was impressed not only by his knowledge of rust, but also by his skill as an extensionist in conveying that knowledge to others. This group asked that we bring him to the U.S. to share his experiences with our researchers, extension specialists, farmers and their advisers. Dr. Yorinori spent the month of July in the U.S. to work with various groups in field days and workshops to pass along his insights into how to deal with this disease in the U.S. Workshops were held in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota. FAR raised funds to cover costs of transportation, daily lodging and meal expenses, and an honorarium for Dr. Yorinori. It also provided support for Eric Rund, central Illinois farmer, who coordinated the specialist tour to Brazil in February. Eric agreed to travel with Dr. Yorinori to drive him to the various workshops, to host him between workshops, and to help with his arrangements as needed.