pests

The recent blast of cold air and snow the Northwest has seen over the past week is good news for the snowpack, but it may be too little, too late when it comes to disease pressures this growing season. Washington State University Extension’s Dr. Tim ...

But we’ve heard a lot over the last couple of months about a mission to Mars; putting humans on the Red Planet. But for that to happen, the astronauts would need to grow food. So, what happens if an insect hitchhikes and starts destroying the crops? G ...

Vegetable growers are reminded as we prepare to transition into another growing season to watch for not only well know pests, but new threat that have moved into the area.  Washington State University’s Dr. Tim Waters says with international travel so easy theses days, and so many high value crops grown on the Columbia Basin, growers must be vigilant.   “...

Washington State University's Doug Walsh takes a look at some of the most common pests found in vineyards around the Northwest.       If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com...

The USDA is allocating $3.39 million to Washington from the 2014 Farm Bill as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the nursery production system.  Ove...

The USDA announced Thursday that $2.7 million will go to Oregon, from the 2014 Farm Bill to improve pest detection and surveillance, to safeguard the nursery production system.  Overall, USDA is providing nearly $70 million in funding this year that will support 494 projects across the country. “...

As the temps continue to drop into winter, many people will be looking to their fireplaces for warmth which can mean firewood.   Helmuth Rogg of the Oregon Department of Agriculture said it’s important to be vigilant about knowing where your firewood comes from to avoid unwanted spread of diseases or pests.   “...

WSU researchers have found just 97 potato psyllids so far this season which is dramatically down from the 19,000 through this time last year.   The numbers so far have been the lowest number of psyllids in the state of Washington for at least the past five years.  ...

WSU researchers have found a small number of winged green peach aphids in potato fields and are advising growers to closely monitor for the pest.   Applying neonicotinoid insecticides early in the season have proven a good way to keep the numbers down according to researchers, but be careful of overuse so the aphids don’t become resistant.   B...

Potato growers have some good news in the pest department. Beet Leafhoppers are down this year, so far, compared to previous years. WSU Researchers found BLH on only 20 percent of their yellow sticky cards this week.   Potato tuberworm numbers are also at a rate that is not concerning yet for growers in the Columbia Basin.  ...