Southern Manitoba and the edge of the Red River Valley can experience significant yield losses from white mold when environmental conditions are favorable. While white mold is not a concern every year, outbreaks can be severe when the disease develops. The 2025 growing season was one of those years.

White mold thrives under wet soil conditions, high humidity, and moderate temperatures that create 12–16 hours of continuous leaf wetness. These conditions are ideal for the pathogen to germinate in the soil and begin infecting soybean and dry bean crops.

We spoke with Dylan Wiebe of LD Seeds in Altona, Manitoba.

Dylan is a fourth-generation seed grower and retailer. LD Seeds uses experiences from its own farm to help guide recommendations for local growers and provide practical value to their operations.

In this region of Manitoba, fungicide applications for white mold in soybeans do not always provide a consistent return on investment.

“Fungicide is a bit of a challenge to use Manitoba because it doesn't typically have an economic return, 9 times out of 10 we won't see value or an economic benefit from it.”

“So, we look for options like Heads Up that’s more cost effective and is with the plant throughout the whole growing season."

The 2025 growing season marked LD Seeds' first year trialing Heads Up on their farm, and it coincided with a high-pressure white mold year. Dylan noticed a visual difference as white mold began to develop in the field. When the trial was taken to yield, multiple replications showed an advantage of approximately 2 bushels per acre.

“So, with the low cost of the product, it’s a no brainer product to use.”

LD Seeds offers custom seed treating, in season service, on farm research and seed deliveries. LD Seeds perform dozens of trials that are taken to yield, quality tested and compile the data to give their customers a firsthand look at new seed varieties and products coming down the pipeline.