Basic Food Safety for the Grower
From laying down the crops to even selling the produce, there’s a lot that crosses a farmer’s mind. Food safety and preventing diseases should be high …
Managing for Soil Health
After four years of drought, California is finally starting to see an increase in precipitation. Despite the increase, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported in January that …
Weeds in Apple Orchards
Most apple buyers visit farms and purchase the tasty fruit at the farms’ markets or even pull them straight off the trees. Yet, most people probably …
Thrips, Aphids and Spider Mites…Oh My!
Greenhouse growers nationwide are well versed in thrips, aphids and spider mites. These three pests are the most persistent greenhouse pests across the country. Thrips, Aphids and …
Harness the Strength of Your Fungicides
Fungicides differ from other pesticides. Most insecticides and some herbicides ‘knock down’ pests, but fungicides work best when applied before pests appear. Almost all fungicides are …
How to Prevent Vole Damage in Orchards
It isn’t just the insects that’ll get you. While orchard growers deal extensively with plum curculio, apple maggot fly and codling moth – just a few …
Insecticides Aren’t Going Anywhere
Although treated as a social or political wedge, insecticides represent an important tool for growers dealing with the hordes of insect predators vigorously pursuing their share …
3 Tomato Insects to Watch Out For
If insects were our friends, they’d still be our enemies – if they prey on our fresh tomatoes. To keep those tomatoes juicy and ripe on …
Revamped Integrated Pest Management
In recent decades integrated pest management (IPM) has gone from being essentially an exotic idea about how to address plant, animal, fungal and a range of …
Pollination Challenges in Today’s Changing Climate
Pollinators are responsible for nearly 30 percent of our nation’s food supply. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) support an estimated $15 billion in crop production, visiting fruits, …
Conquering Realities of Herbicide Resistance
Many commercial growers spray chemicals to rid crops of weeds, but few actively consider the possibility of herbicide resistance. Yet the first known reported case of …
3 Pepper Insects to Watch Out For
Identifying pests is a key component in controlling them. Some common ones in peppers are the beet armyworm, European corn borer and pepper maggot. Pepper Insects 1. …
Insect Pest Directory
Pests are one of the biggest nuisances to all growers. They destroy crops and make farmers lose profit on their fruits or vegetables. The list of …
Quality Controlling Your Field: Required Licenses for Pesticide Use
Many farmers know that when you buy a farm you are also buying insects, weeds and a lot of time figuring out how to get a …