A grape-eating beetle has made an appearance in Nebraska, posing a threat to the local industry.
The green June beetles were discovered in Lincoln County. The beetles are related to the common May and June beetles, which turn up every year in the state.
These beetles, however, are more of a threat to fruit, especially grapes. They can destroy a crop very quickly; they travel in swarms, eat...
A White Paper from Dynamic Systems
Labeling requirements are driving the fresh food industry to use bar code technology--in the field, on the production line and in storage and shipping.
CHALLENGE
Being in the fresh food business means getting short shelf-life products to market as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. Wholesalers and retailers are becoming more demanding, and the processors, in order to comply with new requirements,...
The California Strawberry Commission has announced it is awarding a record number of annual scholarships this year to the children of strawberry farm workers who are pursuing their dreams through higher education.
From throughout the state's strawberry growing regions, 234 students--high school graduates and those currently enrolled in trade schools and institutions of higher learning--will receive...
With the window to respond to the 2012 census of agriculture officially closing on May 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging farmers and ranchers not to miss this opportunity to be counted and help determine the future of farming in America. The USDA has already received more than 2 million completed census forms.
"Our nation needs your help to ensure that decisions about...
The Sign Depot, based in St. Johnsbury, Vt., has created a new website at www.signdepotofvt.com. The company designs and produces custom signs, banners and vinyl lettering for unlimited applications. From wall words to commercial signs, the Sign Depot will complete projects with premium material fit for the function. The company is also an authorized TruckSkin installer. Projects can be completed...
As the potato growing season begins, the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) will provide free integrated pest management (IPM) supplies for Washington's potato growers. IPM is a highly effective and targeted approach to pest management that combines numerous tactics to help keep pest numbers and disease pressure low enough to prevent any damage to crops. IPM incorporates a combination of scouting,...
The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) has announced the farm tours and workshops that will be included in the 2013 Ohio Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series, featuring free public tours of some of Ohio's finest sustainable and organic farms. OEFFA has offered these tours for more than 30 years, providing unique opportunities for Ohioans to see, taste, feel and learn what sustainable...
Making jams and jellies is a tradition with deep history and delicious results. But often recipes call for more sugar than fruit, turning what could be a healthy homemade treat into an achingly sweet spread.
The book "Preserving with Pomona's Pectin" (Fair Winds Press, June 2013), by Allison Carroll Duffy and the partners at Pomona's Universal Pectin, teaches readers how to make jam using sugar-free...
Transcripts from the FSMA Public Meeting concerning proposed rules for Preventive Controls in Human Food and Produce Safety Standards, held in Washington, D.C., are now available. Visit the FSMA meeting page to view them and other materials.
FDA provides regular updates to inform the public on its progress in implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). View the January - March 2013...
QualiTech, Inc. adds Patrick Dosier as agronomist/technical sales representative to the plant nutrition division in California. He reports to Dan Biondi, western regional sales manager. Dosier will cover the northern and central San Joaquin Valley, as well as the Coastal Valleys.
Dosier earned a degree in agronomy with an emphasis on crop science at Cal Poly Pomona. He worked for Western Farm...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made available the Third Annual Reportable Food Registry (RFR) Report. The report summarizes the registry's third year of operation (September 8, 2011 - September 7, 2012) and finds that it logged 224 primary reports--initial reports about a safety concern with a food or animal feed (including food ingredients); 609 subsequent reports from suppliers or recipients...
Valley Irrigation, the leader in precision irrigation, announces the addition of Matt Ondrejko as vice president of global marketing. Ondrejko is responsible for global marketing strategy and implementation, marketing communications, research, and product development.
Most recently, Ondrejko was director of global marketing at Ridge Tool Co. (RIDGID), the hand and power tool division of the...
The Vidalia region has already seen an unexpectedly slow start to harvest, resulting from above-average rainfall and unseasonably cold weather as late as Easter weekend. Now, growers have uncovered another issue with their 2013 crop. Seed stems, also referred to as "bolters," "flower stalks" or "seeders," are showing up throughout the Vidalia onion production district in disturbing numbers.
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Florida officials say they are worried about an invasion of giant African land snails, which are devouring agricultural crops and can carry disease.
Miami-Dade County officials estimate they have captured more than 120,000 of the snails since the Florida Department of Agriculture first discovered the current outbreak 18 months ago.
Department workers found "massive amounts of these snails...
"Everyone is expecting a better crop this year," said Carlos Garcia Salazar, a small-fruit agent for the Michigan State University Extension's West Central Region.
The area's fruit crop faced severe consequences last year when an early warm-up occurred, causing the plant maturation process to accelerate. A series of cold snaps then caused damage to many of the crops.
"The winter damage was...