pest

WSDA Pest Program Manager Sven Spichiger says the community is the solution to eradicating the beetle, and that working together is necessary. Reports suggest WSDA is making progress with approximately half of the proposed treatment areas allowing them to treat properties for the beetle.

Potato growers have seen higher numbers of potato psyllids this year than in previous years, one of just the many challenging pests that could hurt crop yields.   Tim Waters with WSU Extension noted it might not get better.   “I think with the weather we’re having and going to have, that potato psyllid numbers are going to continue to increase so really important to be out scouting for those.”   P

A regional partnership between the U.S. and Canada allows the two countries to remaining trading partners even when disasters like the recent avian influenza outbreak.   Lisa Ferguson of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says understanding the agreements is critical.  ...