Federal collaboration on honey bees highlights research progress on CCD

Posted on May 2, 2013 by rhallberg

Shortly after news of severe bee declines were being reported in 2006, several federal agencies, including USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP), the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formed a CCD Steering Committee. The Steering Committee requested feedback from a broad range of experts in apiculture on how best to address the problem. The responses culminated in the CCD Action Plan, outlining the main priorities for research and outreach to characterize CCD and develop ways to mitigate losses.

(more…)

Filed under: Insects, Invasive species, Pesticides, Resistance | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Battelle study finds state Extension and Experiment Station services beneficial

Posted on March 29, 2013 by rhallberg

An outside research company, Battelle Technology Partnership Practice and BioDimensions, has released a report detailing the impact of Extension and research programs in the Southern Region. The report, located at the LSU AgCenter website, highlights all of the various facets of Extension and research for agbioscience, including those not directly related to pest management. However, I wanted to highlight key findings in the report with regard to pest management specifically.

(more…)

Filed under: Crop rotation, Invasive species, Pesticides, Resistance, Weed Control | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Midsouth weed scientists seek a good “model” for managing herbicide-resistant barnyardgrass

Posted on March 14, 2013 by rhallberg

Researchers from Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana will use simulation modeling to develop a sustainable plan for rice farmers trying to control herbicide-resistant barnyardgrass.

(more…)

Filed under: Crop rotation, Invasive plants, Invasive species, Pesticides, Resistance, Weed Control | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Six Southern scientists receive funding to solve weed, disease problems

Posted on January 7, 2013 by rhallberg

Six teams of IPM scientists will use funding from the USDA Southern Regional IPM grant program to explore ways to control weeds and diseases while reducing the use of pesticides. From non-chemical weed control to plant disease management, these teams will explore new tools that farmers can use to battle diseases and weeds, while lowering their use of fungicides and herbicides. This year, USDA has awarded approximately $768,000 to support Southern Regional IPM projects.

(more…)

Filed under: Budget, Crop rotation, Invasive plants, Invasive species, Pesticides, Resistance, Weed Control | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

The multiple insecticide-resistant green peach aphid makes a good case for IPM

Posted on November 27, 2012 by rhallberg

Spraying an insecticide may seem like the easiest and most effortless type of insect control, but insecticide resistance has proven that spraying without doing your homework first is not the most practical way to protect your crops. This week, a blog post from “the Aphid Room” reminded me of why the first step of pest management is identifying and knowing the pest: some insects, like the green peach aphid, are resistant to several insecticides, making control quite a challenge. (more…)

Filed under: Pesticides, Resistance | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

6 Reasons to Sample for SCN this Fall

Posted on October 31, 2012 by rhallberg

I took this article from Corn and Soybean Digest. Since soybean cyst nematode is prevalent in the South, I thought it would apply to a lot of our farmers. Ohio State University submitted the original article.

While it is still fresh in your mind, many of you probably noticed the great deal of variability this year in yields that occurred as you were driving the combine across the field. Part of the variability is due to the presence of soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Why is it important to know where it is and what the levels are? Here are a few reasons.

(more…)

Filed under: Crop rotation, Pesticides, Resistance | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Fifty Years of Silent Spring: Its contribution to IPM

Posted on September 27, 2012 by rhallberg

On this date 50 years ago, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published, launching a new awareness about the environment and pesticide use. As many of you have probably already read on the many articles about this subject that have appeared in the past few weeks, her book sparked a hot controversy about the use of pesticides. Many in IPM professions credit her with bringing attention to the concept of integrated pest management.

(more…)

Filed under: Insects, Pesticides, Resistance | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Change and IPM: Scenario for the future?

Posted on September 5, 2012 by rhallberg

The following article appeared in IPMNet News:

Are changes inevitable for current IPM practices? Several recent papers unquestionably avow that IPM change is in the wind that is drifting, albeit slowly and unevenly, across the entire globe.

(more…)

Filed under: Crop rotation, Insects, Invasive species, Pesticides, Resistance, Weed Control | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

CABI compiles list of worst plant pests threatening world crops

Posted on January 18, 2012 by rhallberg

Agricultural pests have long been considered one of the greatest threats to food security. Insect pests and diseases cause about a 40% loss in global production each year. And scientists warn that the problem will probably get worse.

(more…)

Filed under: Insects, Invasive species, Resistance | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Biological Control Deconstructed, Part 3

Posted on November 8, 2011 by rhallberg

If biocontrol has so many advantages, why do some people shudder at the mention of a new introduction of an insect or parasitoid that may save a crop or forest tree from certain destruction? Simple. Any time that any living organism is set free in a foreign habitat, that organism presents its own risks.

(more…)

Filed under: Insects, Invasive species, Resistance, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 419 other followers