Crop Protection

SWD survey seeks grower responses

A new survey is seeking responses from growers regarding spotted wing drosophila (SWD) management. The survey is part of the "Sustainable Spotted Wind Dosophila Management for U.S. Fruit Crops" project, funded by the USDA National... more »

Milenski new BioSafe southwest territory manager

BioSafe Systems has hired Eric Milenski to the Agrichemical team as southwest territory manager. He will be covering a territory that includes Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Milenski will... more »

Methyl bromide transition program accepting applications

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has released the Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) Request for Applications (RFA). The MBT program supports the discovery and implementation of practical pest management alternatives for commodities and uses affected by... more »

Broadworks herbicide available for use on stone fruit

New this spring is the herbicide Broadworks from Syngenta. It is a new chemistry for use in tree fruits with the active ingredient being mesotrione. The chemical family is triketone with an HRAC of Group... more »

Time to monitor black stem borer

The black stem borer (Xylosandrus germanus) is a small (2 millimeters) ambrosia beetle that becomes active in spring after one or two consecutive days of temperatures 68 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, often coinciding with forsythia... more »

Maryland enacts ban on neonicotinoids

Maryland lawmakers have approved legislation that will prohibit the retail sale and household use of neonicotinoid pesticides beginning in 2018. Commercial applications will still be permitted. Gov. Larry Hogan is now reviewing the legislation, which... more »

Report crop loss after cold weather

In light of the cold temperatures experienced recently, a call to your crop insurance agent may be in order. If you believe the recent low temperatures may have damaged your crop you have 72 hours... more »

Assessing fruit bud survival and crop potential

A series of advective freeze events have damaged fruit buds, and following an additional freeze this weekend, growers will want to assess crop potential. It can be discouraging to count the buds that didn't survive... more »