/ Source: The Associated Press
Officials say soybean rust has now been confirmed in eight Arkansas counties, and farmers in the southeast and east central parts of the state are encouraged to spray fungicide on their fields.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture issued the spray advisory Wednesday because rain is in the forecast. Soybean rust is a fungus that can reduce farmers' yields, and it often spreads through movement of storm systems.
Ashley and Jefferson counties have confirmed cases of soybean rust, along with Chicot, Desha, Drew, Lee, Lincoln and Phillips counties.
The division is not recommending a blanket application of fungicides throughout Arkansas, but only in the areas most at risk.