disease pressure

“If a plant is under stress, like we put our bodies under stress, the plant's going to get disease more readily,"

As we prepare to transition into summer, local farmers are facing new challenges — insect populations are expected to increase.

With lush greenery sticking around, farmers are facing an unexpected challenge this season, and it’s buzzing with trouble.

This winter has been anything but typical for our region, with warm temperatures reshaping the landscape for local growers — let's hear how they're adapting.

Fall is a great time of year for farmers to look back at what worked this year, scout fields for resistance, and perhaps consider changes that need to be made for 2026.

Idaho potato growers are being warned today to be on the look out for late blight, as spores continue to be detected, despite weather conditions that do not suggest a risk.

It’s good news for Columbia Basin area potato growers, that according to Washington State University.  WSU announced late last week Potato psyllid numbers are expected to be low this season, similar to those in 2024.   A search for overwintering potato psyllids on stands of matrimony vine turned up very few numbers.  And researchers sa...

Potato growers across Washington are invited to participate in the 2025 Washington Commercial Potato Seed Lot Trial.  To participate, growers can submit samples of 200 whole (single-drop) seed or a minimum of 50 lbs.  The whole seed potatoes should be only 2-4 oz.; seed over 6 oz wi...

Sometimes being average is OK.  And that’s what sugar beet growers across Idaho, Oregon and Washington are expect from this year’s crop.  Samantha Parrott, Executive Director of the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association says while yields are expected to be on par with the five-year average, the disease and pest pressures growers are dealing with in 2024 is very low.   “Last year, Cercospora...

Congratulations to Washington State University entomologist Elizabeth Beers, who was named an Entomological Society Fellow this summer.  For nearly four decades, Beers has worked to stop insect pests that spread damage and disease in Pacific Northwest apple, cherry, and pear orchards while training the next generation of scientists.    ...