sterilizing soil

Sterilizing Soil Helps Beat Back Bugs and Diseases on the Farm

Dan Pest/Pest Control, Soil, This Land of Ours

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

Dan Pest/Pest Control, This Land of Ours

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 …

agricultural

Florida Pesticide Applicators Can Now Take Licensing Exams Online

Dan Environment, Florida, Pest/Pest Control

(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

Plant Materials Center Provides Diverse Climate Plant Solutions

Dan Citrus, Climate Change, Corn, Cotton, Cover Crops, Environment, Field Crops, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Nursery Crops, Organic, Peanuts, Pest/Pest Control, Pollinators, Pollinators, Research, Research, Seeds, Soil, soil fertility, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, This Land of Ours, Tree Nuts, USDA-NRCS, Vegetables, Wheat

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 …

Giant African Land

USDA Funding Projects to Protect against Invasive Pests and Diseases

Dan Pest/Pest Control

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, …

Wireworms: A Destructive, Slimy Critter with a Very Bad Reputation

Dan Pest/Pest Control, This Land of Ours

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 …

broccoli plant

Broccoli Plant Problems that Could Threaten Your Harvest

Dan Pest/Pest Control, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

The broccoli plant problems that could threaten your harvest.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are two primary types of problems you may encounter when growing your own vegetables: pest problems and health issues. And, Broccoli is no exception. Pests seem to love this member of the brassica family.  Especially slugs, cabbage flies, and aphids. When seedlings …

common scallion

Common Scallion Plant Problems to Watch Out For

Dan Pest/Pest Control, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

Some common Scallion Plant problems to watch out for.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Scallions – also known as green or spring onions – are tasty, immensely versatile, and easy to grow. They fend off a number of different garden pests and are invaluable companion plants. Still, scallions are no stranger to problems. For example: Wilting leaves …