ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Virginia farmers who grow corn are facing the threat of a rare plant disease, detected in Rockingham County last week.

Map shows detections of tar spot in 2025 – Image credit: Cooperative Extension

A relatively new plant disease called ‘tar spot’ has been detected in a Rockingham County corn field. Rosemary Life with Virginia Cooperative Extension says it is the first time it has been found in Rockingham County, and only the second time it has been found in Virginia.

“It’s kind of a little bit alarming that, you know, it’s starting up here at the tip of Virginia and that’s why we’re trying to make sure it doesn’t spread. Just keep your eyes open. It can happen very quickly. It can progress within one week, so just constantly going out there and making sure you’re looking at your corn and if you do see something questionable, just bring it into the county extension office,” Life explains.

Research indicates that tar spot in corn could cause a yield loss of 30-60 bushels per acre, which, economically speaking, would be a $150-250 loss per acre.