Manitoba's first case of late blight for the year has been spotted in the southwest. As of Friday, a potato field near Carberry showed late blight spots, with the infection spots are mostly on the top foliage and fine branches.

A second field within a mile of the first field was also found positive for late blight, with scattered spots, mostly on top foliage. Nightshade weeds nearby the field are also infected, and there is a possibility more fields in the area have the infection.

Growers, some neighbours, and agronomists have been informed, but according to Manitoba Agriculture's latest potato disease report by Vikram Bisht, scouting for late blight is critical at this time. The report also says for fields that have a few more weeks until harvest, fungicide application is important to protect crops.

The full report is available at www.mbpotatoes.ca.