2013 almond pollination indeed a February miracle
Initially there was a shortage of strong honey bees which threatened the almond bloom. In the end, perfect weather and last ditch efforts between beekeepers nationwide and almond growers combined for a successful pollination event.
Photos: Honey bees pollinate 2013 almond crop
Honey bees can make or break the California almond industry based on the success or failure of the pollination period each spring. The California almond bloom is the largest pollination event in the world.
Plastic contamination threatens U.S. cotton industry
Cleaning equipment does a fairly good job of removing thinner mil plastic from cotton during the cotton ginning process. Thicker mil plastic is more difficult to remove, says Harrison Ashley of the National Cotton Ginners Association.
8 keys to a better wine grape grower contract
There should be at least eight essential components in a wine grape purchase agreement (contract), from the grower perspective, including: precisely identify what is traded, agreement terms, method of price determination, payment terms, quality standards, inspection and adjustments, viticultue practices (farm plan), and harvest and delivery details.
Researchers target Asian citrus psyllid solutions
Multi-state and institution research efforts funded by the USDA grant hope to uncover multiple ways to prevent the Asian citrus psyllid - less than one-tenth-inch long in size – from transferring bacteria from an infected tree to a non-infected tree.
Photos: University of Arizona research on ACP-HLB
Judith Brown of the University of Arizona is one of about 40 scientists working on solutions to halt the ability of the Asian citrus psyllid to vector a bacteria to citrus trees which results in deadly disease Huanglongbing, also called citrus greening.
870,000 acres of California almonds all-time record
The National Agricultural Statistics Service predicts 2012 California almond acreage at an all-time record 870,000 acres. The estimated acreage is 4 percent higher than the 835,000 acres the previous year.
