Don’t panic.  Scout. That is what the National Sunflower Association is telling producers. Executive Director Larry Kleingartner says sunflower rust has been spotted in north central North Dakota. The good news is the disease in those fields has not progressed. Kleingartner says if you see rust on the lower leaves you should keep a close eye on it. If you see it on the upper leaves you should probably start spraying. (Larry Kleingartner / NSA Exec. Director) andamp;quot;NDSU did a strip test with a field that was heavily infested. They sprayed that twice and got 1600 pounds an acre. But they left a strip that was not treated and they got 300 pounds on that and the production was unusable. Basically the plant just dies prematurly and you get light test weight. if it is confection there is no chance of it going to market because the color would be bad and the test weight would be bad.andamp;quot; Kleingartner says to keep a close eye out. He says the right conditions... 55 to 85 degrees and wet mornings can cause the disease to reproduce in 10 to 14 days.