Is corn smut a problem for large scale corn crops in the US?

In the U.S. alone, corn smut is responsible for approximately $1 billion in crop losses annually.

Several methods to control the disease have been recommended including, crop rotation, sanitation, seed treatments, application of fungicides and modification of fertility and biological controls.

ScienceDaily (Mar. 9, 2011) ? Smut fungi are agents of disease responsible for significant crop losses worldwide. Principal investigator Dr. Thomas Smith and research associate member Dr. Dilip Shah at The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center collaborated on a project to develop a variety of corn that is highly resistant to corn smut caused by the fungus, Ustilago maydis.