Archive for the Farms Category
Posted on June 10, 2010 with No Comments
Yesterday, a New York Times article addressed a growing insect problem in the Midwest. Since the Midwest is largely composed of farms and fields, it is imperative that farmers watch over their crops and make sure they grow healthy. Grasshoppers and insects closely related to them have become a very big problem. 
The grasshoppers and other insects will eat the crops and prevent them from growing. Yesterday, an agriculture aviator filled up his 400 gallon tank of pesticides and began spraying away. Throughout the Midwest 30 planes are going to spray over 10 different counties. This is the most amount of land they are going to cover in recent years. Just short of 1,000,000 square acres will get sprayed. From dawn to dusk planes fly for a week to cover the whole area. Grasshoppers are a nuisance to humans and can be destructive to plants and crops. If you have a grasshopper problem or any questions feel free to contact us by phone 800-749-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook.
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Posted on January 11, 2010 with 1 Comment
The state of Wyoming is getting on edge about a possible grasshopper outbreak this summer. Grasshoppers, in large numbers will eat the grass that is necessary for food for livestock.
“The Agriculture Department has $2.5 million in the governor’s recommended budget for emergency insect management. That money has been going to combat mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus.” – Hank Uhden Dept. of Agriculture
The department goes on to say that fighting Mosquitoes is more important because if the direct impact on human life, however they will allocate some of the funds to grasshopper control.
“There are more than 120 species in Wyoming, and 12 are harmful to crops and gardens, he said.” – Hank Uhden Dept. of Agriculture
Photo Credit: krayker
Posted on November 22, 2009 with No Comments
Source: UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences / AP Photo
Georgia, we have a problem. Researchers have recently discovered the kudzu-munching bug in nine counties in northern Georgia that could threaten valuable American crops. Experts aren’t quite sure how severe the damage could be to valuable crops like soybeans and other legumes.
Just before Halloween, Dow Agro Science field researcher Joe Eger visited the University of Georgia campus, and was showed the bug. That turned out to be a lucky break. “There are literally five people in the U.S. who could’ve identified this insect,” and Eger was one of them.
As a variety of the stinkbug, the bug gives off a bitter smell when threatened. The kudzu-munching bug is a brownish bug that has a small narrow head but a wide body. They are about the size of the eraser on a pencil.
It’s not quite clear how the bug got into the country. Experts believe its most conceivable entry to the states was most likely in somebody’s suitcase. It feeds on the seeds of beans and other crop plants.
As its host plants die off this time of year, the bugs look for places to settle in winter. Its most desirable destinations include settling into attics and cracks on the siding of houses.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is attempting to learn more about the bug and what we can do to control it. If you think you see this bug, call us (800) 479-2284 or contact us today!
Posted on October 19, 2009 with No Comments
How would you like it if you could kill rodents and get paid for it?
The Bangladesh government paid a farmer because he had killed over 83,000 rats. His prize: a 14-inch color TV. Bangladesh is known for importing tons of food, and rats are responsible for destroying 1.5 to 2 million tons annually.
As you can tell rodents are a very big issue in Bangladesh.
This story first appeared in Dallas News.
Posted on July 21, 2009 with No Comments
Thermal pest control? How about shooting hot air at 125 miles per hour at all the crops on a farm? This method of pest control proves to head shock fungi and improve the quality of the produce. This practice is widely used and one farmer says he has been using it on fruits, most specially grapes and cherries. Farming costs are reduced in the long run. He does not need any type of spray, and:
“the heat shock appears to improve the color, flavor, and storage capability of his cherries.”
-Florencio Lazo
The machine is gas powered and can only run about 3mph, it is pulled by a tractor. This heat treatment is done about every 15 days. This method of pest management is undergoing testing by universities to further understand how and why it works so well.
“Lazo believes that one of the greatest potential benefits is the opportunity to differentiate the product in the marketplace. Fruits are a commodity, but fruit grown with the Thermal Pest Control system can be certified chemical-free. “
Visit Lazo’s site
Posted on June 19, 2009 with No Comments
Project:Green Industry wrote a great article the other day about how local farms are on the rise across the United States.
The number of small farms is increasing in the United States and more importantly they are succeeding. John Ikerd, professor emeritus at University of Missouri-Columbia, told the St. Louis Dispatch that a fundamental change is occurring within the United States when it comes to smaller farmers. The newspaper reports that from 2002 to 2007, many of the nearly 300,000 new farms started in this country were small and operated by young farmers.
They say the top succeeding farms produce milk, poultry eggs, fruit, and nursery’s. Because of this rise in local farms, John Deere has shifted their look on farms and started catering to the smaller farms, with different types of farm equipment.
If you are interested, the full article can be read here.
The grasshoppers and other insects will eat the crops and prevent them from growing. Yesterday, an agriculture aviator filled up his 400 gallon tank of pesticides and began spraying away. Throughout the Midwest 30 planes are going to spray over 10 different counties. This is the most amount of land they are going to cover in recent years. Just short of 1,000,000 square acres will get sprayed. From dawn to dusk planes fly for a week to cover the whole area. Grasshoppers are a nuisance to humans and can be destructive to plants and crops. If you have a grasshopper problem or any questions feel free to contact us by phone 800-749-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook.
