The four-legged pets trained to sniff out some damaging and invasive pests. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. They may be man’s best friend but they’re also angling to be Agriculture’s best friend. Detector Canines, trained by the USDA’s PPQ program, are learning how to spot and stop spotted Lanternflies and Japanese beetles before it’s too late. These …
Program Helping Protect Pollinators from Invasive Pests
The USDA program helping protect pollinators from invasive pests. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bee pollination alone is responsible for more than 15-billion in added crop value, particularly for specialty crops such as almonds and other nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables. Unfortunately, the honey bees are also vulnerable to invasive pests like parasitic mites, viruses, and predatory …
Sterilizing Soil Helps Beat Back Bugs and Diseases on the Farm
How sterilizing soil will help beat back bugs and diseases on the farm. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Soil sterilization helps to kill off the pests and fungi that can wreak havoc on farmland. It’s especially useful if farmers have struggled with bacteria, Nematodes, viruses, and weeds. A popular method of sterilizing soil is called solarization. Solarization …
Plants and Fruit Trees at Risk of a Spotted Lanternfly Infestation
The plants and fruit trees at risk of a spotted Lanternfly infestation, and what farmers can do about it. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Spotted Lanternfly is an Asian native first spotted in the United States almost a decade ago. One of the particularly problematic features of this pest is that it can lay eggs anywhere …
Florida Pesticide Applicators Can Now Take Licensing Exams Online
(UF-IFAS/GAINESVILLE, Fl/Feb. 28, 2022) — In Florida, pesticide licensing exams help ensure the state’s approximately 70,000 pesticide applicators follow state regulations and best practices for mitigating the impact of chemicals on the environment. Historically, the exam has only been offered in person at pre-scheduled times. The UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office has announced that applicators will now have the option of …
Plant Materials Center Provides Diverse Climate Plant Solutions
The center providing plant solutions in a diverse climate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Lockeford Plant Materials Center is a 106-acre facility located in the Central Valley of California. It’s about an hour southeast of the state’s capitol, Sacramento, and is the only plant materials in the state. The center provides plant solutions for the diverse …
Pear Tree Pests that Could Ruin a Harvest
The pear tree pests that could ruin a harvest. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Pear trees are one of the easiest fruits to grow in an orchard. They are also easy targets for Aphids, Codling Moth, Leafrollers, and Pear Psylla which is a very destructive pest. Aphids will suck the plants juices leaving a secretion behind called …
USDA Funding Projects to Protect against Invasive Pests and Diseases
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they are allocating more than $70 million to support 372 projects under the Plant Protection Act’s Section 7721 program to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation; to safeguard the nursery production system; and to respond to plant pest emergencies. Universities, states, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, …
Pests and Diseases to Watch Out for This Spring
Some pests and diseases to watch out for this Spring. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Spring garden pests are with us all year. In the winter, many of them sleep cozily in our gardens, waiting for the cool rains and sun to wake them up. One thing we can do to reduce the spring pest population is to …
Wireworms: A Destructive, Slimy Critter with a Very Bad Reputation
A slimy critter with a very bad reputation in the garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Wireworms, are destructive pests for farmers and gardeners, especially those growing corn. Wireworms are the larvae of the click beetle. Wireworms are found everywhere throughout North America; they’re most common in fields and grass pastures. They may be tiny, but they cause …