Crop Protection

Colony Collapse Disorder still being studied

After the large-scale, unexplained losses of managed U.S. honeybee colonies during the winter of 2006-07, investigators identified a set of symptoms that were termed colony collapse disorder (CCD). In response to this problem, federal and... more »

Crop protection has entered a new era: IPM

Before examining the ways crop protection techniques have changed over the last half-century, George Bird wanted to go back a little further – 12,000 years or so. Bird, 72, doesn’t go back that far, but... more »

Apple promotion needed in international markets

Domestic per capita consumption of apples has been declining by about 1 percent annually for the past 20 years, said Desmond O’Rourke. Despite the domestic decline in consumption, O’Rourke sees tremendous opportunities for domestic growers... more »

Cane management in raspberries, blackberries

Pruning affects plant growth rate, fruit quantity and size, sugars, disease susceptibility, ease of harvest, and spraying efficiency. Brambles respond significantly to pruning and cane management, but these practices can be the most expensive and... more »

Small farmers exempted from regulations in food-safety bill

The Senate approved the most sweeping food safety legislation in decades Tuesday, and included exemptions that could help small farms in Vermont. Burlington Free PressTo read more, click here. more »

Senate set to vote on food safety bill

The Senate is set to vote Monday night on the biggest changes to food safety laws in 70 years, handing vast new authority to the Food and Drug Administration to regulate farms and food processors.... more »

Alliance prepares the way for FDA produce safety rule

A public-private organization will provide produce growers and packagers with fundamental, on-farm food safety knowledge in advance of a proposed produce safety regulation, according to FDA, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Cornell University.According to... more »

Specialty crop grants

In October, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded 28 grants, worth more than $46 million total, to projects studying problems in specialty crop agriculture.“The specialty crop industry plays an enormously important part... more »

Researchers suspect virus-fungus combo linked to massive bee die-offs

Finally, a ray of hope for beekeepers across America who are perplexed by the alarming phenomenon termed as the 'Colony Collapse Disorder,' (CCD) that has seen millions of bees perish in a mysterious epidemic.Since the... more »

Anthracnose suspected in Michigan

This spring, growers across Michigan noticed that a few of their McIntosh trees were dying. Most shrugged it off as winterkill, a common thing in a state known for harsh winters. While some reports called... more »

Current Issue

On-farm AI: Water, farm, labor research guide decisions

Data collection tool expands farm management

Carmel Valley winegrapes: Parsonage Village Vineyard

IFTA Yakima Valley tour provides orchard insights

IFTA recognizes tree fruit honorees

Pennsylvania recognizes fruit industry professionals

Fresh Views 40 Under 40

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