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04.06.2021

USA - Drought conditions persist for one-quarter of Wisconsin

As of June 1, one-quarter of Wisconsin is experiencing some form of drought. According to the latest drought monitor provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, approximately 25% of the state is experiencing at least moderate drought conditions, including at least part of 30 of the state’s 72 counties. Included in that total is 5% of the state, including at least parts of nine counties in southeastern Wisconsin, currently experiencing severe drought conditions. A moderate drought indicates dry or very dry topsoil. A severe drought indicates that pasture and crop losses are likely if conditions persist, and water restrictions have historically been enacted due to water shortages. The regions most impacted include the afore-mentioned southeastern Wisconsin counties currently under severe drought. Moderate drought counties form the letter “U” from western Wisconsin, dipping to southern Wisconsin and back up eastern Wisconsin. This “U” starts just north of La Crosse, extends south of Madison, and comes back up east of Lake Winnebago to Manitowoc. According to the United States Drought Monitor operated by the United States Dept. of Agriculture and by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, parts of Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois are also experiencing severe drought. In the Dakotas and Montana, the drought is in the extreme category, while central North Dakota is experiencing exceptional drought, the highest level on the drought monitor scale. Abnormally dry conditions are being experienced by much of the state as well, as about a quarter of the state falls under that category. This includes cities such as Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, and Wisconsin Dells, and counties that are primarily located in west-central Wisconsin. Some of the historic impacts of the dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, include bans on burning, brown lawns and fields, lower lake levels than normal, an increase in watering landscaping and gardens, and slight impacts to pastures and crops. At the moderate drought stage, hay prices historically begin to rise, and horse sales begin to increase. Severe drought impacts include the loss of crops and pastures, as well as water restrictions and shortages. Conditions have not changed much in the past week. The USDA estimates the affected population in Wisconsin in drought areas to be over 3.4 million, with over 20.7 million in the Midwest currently in a drought area. Conditions in most the nation’s southwest are worse, currently in exceptional or extreme drought. Source - https://www.weau.com

03.06.2021

Italy - Scientific review of the impact of climate change on plant pests

Due to the impact of climate change, plant pests that ravage economically important crops are becoming more destructive and posing an increasing threat to food security and the environment, finds a scientific review released on Tuesday. The Scientific Review on the Impact of Climate Change on Plant Pests - A global challenge to prevent and mitigate plant pest risks in agriculture, forestry and ecosystems by Professor Maria Lodovica, University of Turin (Italy), and ten co-authors from around the world was prepared under the auspices of the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, hosted by FAO, and is one of the key initiatives of the International Year of Plant Health, which is coming to an end this month. "The key findings of this review should alert all of us on how climate change may affect how infectious, distributed and severe pests can become around the world," said the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, at the launch. "The review clearly shows that the impact of climate change is one of the greatest challenges the plant health community is facing," added Qu. FAO estimates that annually up to 40 percent of global crop production is lost to pests. Each year, plant diseases cost the global economy over $220 billion, and invasive insects at least $70 billion. How is climate change impacting plant pests? The scientific review finds that climate change will increase the risk of pests spreading in agricultural and forestry ecosystems, especially in cooler Arctic, boreal, temperate and subtropical regions. For example, a single, unusually warm winter may be enough to assist the establishment of invasive pests. Some pests, like fall armyworm (which feeds on a growing number of crops, including maize, sorghum, millet) and Tephritid fruit flies (which damage fruit and other crops), have already spread due to warmer climate. Others, such as the desert locust (the world's most destructive migratory pest), are expected to change their migratory routes and geographical distribution because of climate change. The review analyses 15 plant pests that have spread or may spread due to climate change. Half of all emerging plant diseases are spread by global travel and trade, which have tripled in volume over the last decade, while weather is the second most important factor. The review stresses that pests are often impossible to eradicate once they have established themselves in a new territory, and managing them is time consuming and expensive. Climate change-induced pest dispersal and intensity threaten food security as a whole. Small holders, people whose livelihoods rely on plant health and those who live in countries beset by food insecurity are especially vulnerable to these risks. Invasive pests are also one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss. How to mitigate the impact on plants and crops? The review puts forward a number of recommendations to mitigate the impact of climate change on plant health. Chief among them, increased international cooperation is deemed crucial as the effective management of plant pests by one farmer or one country affects the success of others. Improved measures to limit the international spread of pests through trade and travel and adjustments to plant protection protocols are equally important. The review also stresses the need for more research into the impact of climate change on pests and hence, on plant health; and for more investments in strengthening national phytosanitary systems and structures. "Preserving plant health is fundamental to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Sustaining plant health is an integral part of our work towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems," stressed the Director-General. His remarks were echoed by Jaana Husu-Kallio Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland; Songowayo Zyambo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture of Zambia; and Francisco Javier Trujillo Arriaga, Former Chairperson of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures. The three high-level speakers welcomed the scientific review - described as a guide for better climate change and plant health management - and expressed support for the International Plant Protection Convention Strategic Framework 2020-2030, which includes assessing and managing the impacts of climate change on plant health as one of the eight development agenda items to be addressed by the global plant health community in this decade. Finland and Zambia have played a key role in the establishment and promotion of the International Year of Plant Health and its initiatives. Tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation in one go FAO believes that is crucial to respond to the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation simultaneously. This includes implementing the International Plant Protection Convention's (IPPC) international standards for phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful plant pests, and to preserve biodiversity. "We stand ready to strengthen collaboration with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and others to ensure that phytosanitary matters are better reflected in the international climate change agenda," said the Director-General. FAO will continue to support Member countries with technical and scientific advice as well as to fight plant pests that are a threat to global food security such as desert locust and fall armyworm. Though the International Year of Plant Health is coming to an end, FAO and partners will continue to build on its legacy and raise awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development. Source - https://reliefweb.int

03.06.2021

USA - Drought losses mounting in Sonoma County agricultural sector

After farming squash, corn, melons, peppers and tomatoes by his father’s side since childhood, Gabriel Castañeda is stepping out largely on his own this year. With water in such short supply, his dad, Humberto, thought he might forgo raising summer fruits and vegetables this season and focus only on the 15 acres of wine grapes he grows near Fulton instead. But Gabe Castañeda, who had helped his father build Humberto Castañeda Produce into Sonoma County’s largest produce grower, wanted to see what he could do to keep the family’s 40-year farming tradition alive — even if on a very reduced scale. He committed to planting 17 acres this spring — a little under 10% of what he and his father usually grow on the land they lease west of Fulton. Family members helped plant the crop because they’re going without seasonal workers and irrigating with a smaller share of the reclaimed water they buy from the city of Santa Rosa. There won’t be peppers, which are expensive to seed and would need to have been started before the Castañedas knew whether they would have enough water to nurture them to maturity. But there will be a crop to be harvested and distributed to groceries and markets around the county if he is smart about his water use, said the younger Castañeda, 27. “It is what it is,” he said. “All we’ve got to do is keep going.” This is a time for difficult choices for many in Sonoma County’s nearly $1 billion agricultural industry — where people devoted to making things grow instead find they’re having to let some things go this year. Plants and animals require water, and with supplies around the region diminishing by the day, Sonoma County’s 2,000-plus agricultural producers are all touched by intensifying drought. Whether they’re in the business of beef or milk, the grapes that create the region’s distinctive wines, or the vegetables and flowers that turn up at farmers markets and grocery stores, most of the ranchers and growers behind the county’s agricultural bounty are having to cut back this year and get by with less. Some just hope to survive. “People are making really hard decisions,” said Tawny Tesconi, executive director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. “Deciding whether to let that block of grapes go or whether to sell 50 cows — it’s tough. There’s a lot of tough decisions being made right now.” The past two years have brought paltry rainfall to Sonoma County — so little, the seasons combined are equal to about one normal season of 32 inches or so. The dearth of water affects everyone differently, depending on what they grow, how it’s watered and where their water comes from. But producers are unified in the scramble to adapt, by turning to different water sources or curtailing their operations to make do with what they have, often at significant loss. More woes for grape growers After a disastrous grape harvest in 2020, due primarily to smoke damage from massive wildfires, further losses are likely this year. Many growers are running short on stored water or were recently prohibited from using the Russian River as a source for irrigation and are abandoning some vines, dropping the fruit early or even cutting back the canes. Grape growers are seeing drought impacts, including undeveloped clusters and increased disease pressure, and generally are anticipating a lighter crop, said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers. “They will manage their crop to maintain quality over quantity,” Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner Andrew Smith said. In general, established vines, as well as fruit trees and orchards, are likely to fare better than annual crops, their roots finding what little moisture may be in the soil more readily than annuals, boosting their chances of survival, Smith said. But the commissioner’s office already has documented sizable losses in forage, feed and grain crops, much of it grown to feed livestock on the same ranch as the animals for which they provide nutrition. Based on an ongoing survey maintained by the county, field, forage and silage crop losses already have reached the 70%-to-85% range — enough to have a clear and direct impact on the amount of livestock kept locally. Dairies in for major blow Ranchers have been culling their herds as a result. In the rural “dairy belt’ of southwest Sonoma County, where winter rains usually transform the landscape into a blanket of brilliant green, struggling dairy ranchers turned to trucking water to dried lands early this spring just to water their cows — their storage ponds running low even as rangeland browned earlier than usual. The Two Rock area west of Petaluma, where many of the county’s more than 60 dairies are concentrated, has fewer deep-water wells because of its geomorphology, so several farmers there have acquired tankers or trucker time and have been buying water from the city for their cows in what some worry could be a temporary solution as domestic water conservation comes into play. But even those who have water supplies, like Healdsburg-area dairy rancher John Bucher, are under pressure to provide for their livestock. On dryland pastures and unirrigated rangeland, there’s been less grass growing for animals to eat, and it’s grown for a shorter period of time. Ranchers also have had less water to irrigate pastures and fields where they cultivate forage, including hay that might be cut three, even four times a season in a normal year. Bucher, whose family owns vineyards and 360 acres of dairy lands on Westside Road near the Russian River, thinks he can manage to keep his cows watered with what he can draw from two groundwater wells. But concerns about feeding his milking cows and younger stock already have prompted him to reduce the herd by about 10%, beginning in February and March. “We were just trying to stay ahead of the curve … just trying to navigate through this dry spring,” said Bucher, who still has about 1,300 head, including 650 producing cows. “There was just no extra grass.” The feed issue is especially challenging for the county’s many certified organic dairies, where cows over 6 months old must spend at least 120 days on pasture, he and others said. But there will be stiff competition from both conventional and organic ranchers for any feed they can find this year, given the reach of the drought and the extent of its impact on supply. Searching for livestock feed Most of the western U.S. already is in severe drought, including areas that usually supply hay and other livestock feed to California — the Central Valley, the Klamath River Basin and Nevada. Dairyman Doug Berreta said some brokers already are saying they may have to look to Utah and Idaho for hay. “They’re going to have to go farther,” he said. “I hope we’re not going to have to haul it over the Rocky Mountains. If we have to do that, I just don’t know how we’re going to afford it.” At the Beretta Family Dairy in west Santa Rosa, the cows usually graze “clear into October,” thanks to a reliable supply of reclaimed waste water from the city, the third-generation dairyman said. By the time the city fulfilled its contract deliveries to The Geysers energy-producing steamfields, it did not have enough recycled waste water to provide what it usually does to 60 or so agricultural users who usually irrigate with municipal supplies each year. Beretta’s allotment, last year reduced by 30%, was cut another 30% to 40% this year, he said. That means there’s been little water to irrigate about 200 acres of hay and silage usually put up for winter to feed about 300 milking cows and 450 to 500 younger animals at the ranch right now, he said. “That’s a huge hit to us,” he said. The family managed to harvest some feed in April, about 25% less than last year, but he’s already sold about 20 milk cows and has 20 more pregnant heifers heading off to Washington state this week. He says he’s going to incur tens of thousands of dollars in additional costs to feed the cows he does wind up with — and is worried there won’t be enough food to buy. Herds on the auction block Jim Mickelson, whose family raises Hereford seed stock near Bodega and Valley Ford, said he expects to sell “about 150 head by the time we’re done.” Mickelson’s daughter, Jamie, raises beef for farmers markets, restaurants and direct-to-consumer sales, and between them, they have about 600 head, he said. In addition to ranching, he’s in the pump and well business and dug himself a new well a few months back, which may give him enough water to get through the year. But the skyrocketing cost of feeding them all this year, along with reduced demand for bulls, “doesn’t make economic sense,” he said. Many of the cows have names and personalities, and it’s painful to let them go, he said, but the ranch will probably carry 20% or 25% fewer head by the end of the year. “It’s a tough year,” said Mickelson. “But what’s really going to be tough is if we don’t get rain this fall. If we don’t get rain this fall, it’s going to be disaster.” Stretching meager supplies Outside Petaluma, sustainable farming pioneer Bob Cannard sounded grim about the prospects for Green String Farm, the produce growing operation he has maintained for decades at the edge of town. With so little rainwater stored this year, he and his partner have planted only what can be watered from a well usually used to wash produce at the farm stand open five days a week. “If that little well goes dry, that will be it,” he said. He’s got a bit of overwintered garlic that will soon be gone and some spinach on a small farm in Sonoma, as well. But the majority of the main farm is not planted, and Cannard is worried about the state of the region at large and what he sees as an ongoing transition from fertile flood plain to desert. As for Green String Farm, “it’s a very serious matter,” he said. “I hope not to have to close.” Source - https://www.pressdemocrat.com

03.06.2021

China - Production volume of honey pomelo is expected to decline by 15%-20%

The new production season of Chinese honey pomelo proceeds as usual. Poor weather conditions earlier in the season will have an impact on the production volume this year. The production volume is estimated to decline by 20%.  Mr. Wen, spokesperson for specialized honey pomelo exporter Pinghe County Lipeng Fruit Industry Co., Ltd., talked about current conditions and export prospects in the Chinese honey pomelo industry. Mr. Wen explained that pomelo production areas suffered from arid weather in March and April during the time that pomelo trees blossom and then develop their fruit. Many pomelo dropped from the trees because of a lack of water. That is why the volume of fruit on the trees is smaller than in previous years, and why the estimated production volume is lower this season. More recently the weather conditions improved. The new production season is expected to start in early August. The price is not easy to predict until around the 20th of July. "The export conditions this year are mainly decided by two factors: the shipping cost and the pandemic. The shipping cost started rising last year and this trend still continues. The current shipping cost from China to Europe or Russia is around 8,000-12,000 USD per container. The product value of honey pomelo is relatively low. The high shipping cost will definitely have an impact on the product price. People in the industry suspect that the shipping cost in August, when the pomelo enter the market, may be even higher than it is at the moment. At that time we will have to see how market demand develops to understand whether consumers will be able to absorb the rising shipping cost," said manager Wen. "Apart from the rising shipping cost, there is also the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. There is still some time to go before overseas markets have completely recovered their consumer power. That will undoubtedly affect overseas market demand and distribution speed." "In the end, this is a very difficult year for anyone in the pomelo industry. Planters, exporters, wholesale dealers, and retailers all face huge challenges this year," said manager Wen. "We normally export 60% of our production volume. This year we plan to expand our domestic sales. In addition, while we maintain close contact with loyal clients, we also hope to establish contact with new clients." Pinghe county Lipeng Fruit Industry is a specialized honey pomelo export company. The company continuously works to improve their packaging methods. "One of the trends we see is the demand for high-quality packaging and the hope for a reduction in the use of plastic. Some of our clients tell us that the European market may soon introduce a plastic ban. Many clients already have such demands for the use of less plastic in the packaging process. Honey pomelo for the domestic market and overseas markets are all packaged in a red plastic mesh bag with a red ribbon. Both are decorative. That is why we propose to our clients to abandon these decorative elements, but to keep the clear plastic cover that actually protects the fruit against decay and insect pests. This clear plastic covering is necessary to maintain product quality. We are also in conversation with our clients about different, more environmentally-friendly ways to maintain product quality,' said manager Wen. "We hope to produce beautiful, sustainable packaging and raise the added value of our honey pomelo." Pinghe county Lipeng Fruit Industry has a pomelo plantation in Pinghe, Fujian, that covers an area of about 120 hectares. All pomelos from their plantation are GAP certified. "We always work hard to raise the product quality of our pomelo, from plantation management, harvest, storage, selection, and packaging. We observe strict standards at every stage of the process. One of our advantages is that we have our own processing line. We have also completely renewed our storage facilities. The storage facilities maintain the freshness of our pomelo and extend our retail season. Even when the supply volume of pomelo starts to decline, we will still be able to supply our clients with fresh, top-quality pomelos." Source - https://www.freshplaza.com

03.06.2021

India - Fruit growers suffer heavy losses

Losses worth Rs4.33 mln (€2.38 mln) have been suffered by the fruit growers in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, including Asia Peach valley of Rajgarh. The losses were caused by the stormy weather which caused rain and hailstones from May 29 to May 31. The windy weather has led to the uprooting of tender plants. The harvest of stone fruits like peach, plum and apricot was underway in the district as it is the peak season. The unprecedented hails which lashed the district unleased a trail of destruction in the fruit belt which was almost ready for being harvested. Frequent hail and rain, which occurred in May, has left the fruit growers reeling under huge losses. Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur, dr R.K. Pruthi said: “As many as 1,168 farmers have suffered losses amounting to 486 metric ton which was almost 30 to 40 per cent of the total yield.” Apart from 400 apple growers, loss has been suffered by plum, apricot and peach growers. The Rajgarh area of the district is known as the peach valley of Asia. As many as 360 peach growers have suffered crop loss due to hailstones. Apart from this, 100 plum and apricot growers and 45 litchi growers have also suffered losses. The district also has sizeable number of mango growers and 263 growers have suffered loss. Source - https://www.freshplaza.com

03.06.2021

India - Bihar begins crop loss assessment, including for sugarcane

Cyclone Yaas, which made its landfall on the coast of Odisha on May 26, ravaged Bihar for two days on May 27 and 28, leading heavy rains with strong winds, claiming at least seven lives and destroying several standing crops. Bihar agriculture department is assessing farmers’ loss caused by cyclone Yaas and is likely to also compensate sugarcane and vegetable farmers for damages this time, say officials. “Earlier, farmers were not offered any relief from the government against loss of sugarcane due to the natural disturbances,” said an officer familiar with the issue. State agriculture minister Amarendra Pratap Singh said farmers will be compensated for damages not only to standing crops like maize, paddy, moong (green gram), til (sesame) and oilseeds, apart from fruit crops like mango, litchi and banana, but also for vegetables and sugarcane. “The survey has begun and a detailed report will be submitted to the disaster management department for compensation by the end of this month,” Singh said. Cyclone Yaas, which made its landfall on the coast of Odisha on May 26, ravaged Bihar for two days on May 27 and 28, leading heavy rains with strong winds, claiming at least seven lives. Officials of the agriculture department said that maize and moong crops were damaged extensively in the cyclonic rains. “However, vegetables, particularly those growing on vines, suffered a major blow due to prolonged accumulation of water in the fields,” said an officer. “The department has asked all the district magistrates (DMs) to submit the details of crop damages in two specified formats. The block development officers will do the groundwork and the district agriculture officer will forward the same to the DMs for verification. The DM’s view is must as the compensation would be doled out from the disaster management department,” said another officer, adding that the entire exercise is expected to be completed by the end of June. The agriculture minister said the department was sensitive towards the miseries of farmers, who were already facing the odds due to the outbreak of Covid pandemic, and will do everything to help them tide over the crisis. Source - https://www.hindustantimes.com

03.06.2021

Netherlands - Lettuce varieties have resistance against new downy mildew race

Downy mildew is a major threat in lettuce. The fungus can damage the lettuce leaves in both protected and open-field crops, resulting in a loss of yield. Last year the European Commission of the International Bremia Evaluation Board (IBEB-EU) identified a widely occurring new variant of downy mildew in lettuce. As of 1 June 2021, it has officially been named Bl:37EU. The large majority of Rijk Zwaan’s current lettuce varieties are resistant to the new race of downy mildew. New official denominated race On 1 June 2021, the European Commission of the International Bremia Evaluation Board (IBEB-EU) officially denominated the new race BI:37EU. This variant of downy mildew (Bremia lactucae, Bl) has been found in multiple regions in France in the past years and more recently also in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. IBEB-EU expects this race to spread further in the summer and autumn of this year, although it is currently difficult to predict which areas will actually be affected. Resistances in lettuce The development of resistances against downy mildew is one of the pillars of vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan’s lettuce breeding program. “Downy mildew is evolving genetically all the time and a large number of isolates of the plant fungus are already known worldwide. In our breeding program, we are continuously working on improving the traits of our lettuce varieties, including resistances to new downy mildew variants. The large majority of Rijk Zwaan’s current lettuce varieties are resistant to the new BI:37EU race of downy mildew,” comments Johan Schut, Breeding Manager Lettuce. Sustainable solution Rijk Zwaan is a strong advocate of an integral approach to combating plant diseases in order to reduce the use of chemicals. Although resistant varieties play an important role in this, the company also advises crop protection agents and hygiene measures to prevent new downy mildew variants from developing. Good hygiene practices such as burying crop residues and promptly removing diseased plants help to limit the spread of downy mildew in lettuce. International Bremia Evaluation Board The International Bremia Evaluation Board (IBEB) is a joint initiative of lettuce breeding companies in the USA, France and the Netherlands, the University of California-Davis, the Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture (Naktuinbouw) and the French National Seed Station (GEVES). IBEB’s mission is to identify new races of Bremia lactucae that pose a significant threat to the North American or European lettuce market and to promote the use of standardised race names in communication with growers. Source - https://www.freshplaza.com

02.06.2021

India - Powerful cyclone hits shrimp farms in India’s West Bengal

A severe cyclone made landfall in India’s eastern region last week, causing massive damage to shrimp farms in the affected areas in in West Bengal and Odisha states. The cyclone, Yaas, wreaked havoc and caused damages to the agriculture sector in West Bengal. The aquaculture industry’s losses in the state were estimated at INR 10 billion (USD 137.9 million, EUR 113.1 million). Exports of aquaculture products from West Bengal are worth about INR 80 billion (USD 1.1 billion, EUR 904.6 million) per year, which accounts for 15 to 20 percent of India’s total aquaculture export value, the newspaper reported. Seafood Exporters Association of India West Bengal President Rajarshi Banerji said shrimp farms across the state were severely affected by the storm. “Seeding was complete up to 80 to 90 percent. Most of the shrimp crop had grown and was ready for harvest; 25 to 30 percent of that matured crop has been lost. Value of only crop loss in Midnapur is reliably estimated at around INR 9 billion to INR 10 billion (USD 124.1million to USD 137.9 million, EUR 101.8 million to EUR 113.1 million),” Banerji said. “West Bengal was expecting its all-time highest prawn crop of 100,000 metric tons (MT) this year. That prospect is damaged severely.” According to Banerji, the farms, which were flooded during the cyclone, would not be able to be used for growing shrimp until the end of this year. Another official from the association, citing preliminary reports from the ground, said Yaas caused “huge financial losses” for the shrimp farmers, with about 3,000 hectares of shrimp farms in the coastal areas of the two states being flooded during the storm. In the middle of May, Gujarat state was also hit by a separate storm, Cyclone Tauktae, which was seen as one of the strongest cyclones to hit the area in more than two decades. Naeem Banglawala, a shrimp farmer operating organic shrimp farms on 100 hectares in Gujarat state and director of a company supplying raw material to processors and exporters, confirmed to SeafoodSource on 20 May that the Tauktae did hit his own ponds and others along the coastal areas of Gujarat heavily. Source - https://www.seafoodsource.com

02.06.2021

Spain - Agrovegetal develops a new pea that is resistant to powdery mildew

Agrovegetal has developed a variety of proteinaceous peas that are resistant to powdery mildew and won't require fungicidal treatments. The company is dedicated to obtaining and developing new varieties of certified seeds of extensive crops and will soon register this important novelty in the legume segment that will help improve crop rotation in Andalusia. "Five years ago, when we were looking for varieties of peas that had resistance to powdery mildew, we found two varieties of Central European origin and we began to cross them with the most cultivated varieties here. All these crosses led to the emergence of seeds that respond to what we have been demanding," stated the director of Agrovegetal, Ignacio Solis. Getting to this point has taken the company nearly five years, producing two generations per year, as the varieties have to be self-bred at least ten times to have a new pure line that can be placed in the market. After conducting the registration procedures, the company will carry out official trials for at least two years. Thus, they hope to start selling seeds of this new pea in 2024. The results in the field trials carried out by Agrovegetal have been very satisfactory. As a result, the company hopes to be able to increase the nearly 15,000 hectares of peas there are in Andalusia. The scarce implantation in the cultivation of peas in the autonomous community is due to the incidence of fungi (such as powdery mildew) and parasites (such as jopo) that have been reducing production, and to the fact that the varieties being planted up to now are of French origin and not very well adapted to the Andalusian climate, Solis stated. Crop rotation With this new variety, the company expects an increase in pea plantings, which is a very favorable choice for crop rotation. Until now, the vast majority of farmers rotate cereal with sunflower or canola. "However, all experts recommend adding a legume. The options available were chickpeas or beans. Now, peas will be a third viable option," Solis added. A decade of research For the past decade, the Agrovegetal Council, which is made up of the Campo de Tejada, Coesagro, San Dionisio, Cerealistas de Conil, Los Remedios-Picasat, SAT Cordoba, and Cocereales cooperatives, has placed emphasis on promoting research in legumes: chickpeas, broad beans, and peas. Source - https://www.freshplaza.com

02.06.2021

India - Odisha farmers stare at ruin as storm sweeps away crops

Already under economic stress due to the Covid-19 lockdown, thousands of farmers now face financial ruin after cyclone Yaas wiped away crops over vast tracts of agriculture land in the coastal district. The incessant rains and subsequent floods due to Yaas have damaged green gram (Biri), black gram (Mung), vegetable, banana and other crops besides betel vines in the coastal pockets of Aul and Rajkanika, the worst-hit blocks of the district. In the aftermath of the cyclone, complaints of crop damage have been constantly pouring in from many villages. “We were preparing to harvest Mung and Biri within a week. But incessant rains and flood damaged our crops. Many farmers have lost their vegetable crops. All of us are in severe distress as there is no way we can return the bank loans,” said Purnachandra Sahoo, a farmer of Taras village. Yaas also hit the economy of around 5,000 betel leaf growers of Kendrapara. A large number of betel vines have been ruined by Yaas. “Had there been no cyclone, we would be busy harvesting paan now. Now, we are in a precarious situtation,” said Ashok Sutar, a betel leaf farmer of Rangani. President of the district unit of Krushak Sabha Umesh Chandra Singh said the cyclone and resultant floods in the summer have dealt a crushing blow to the agricultural economy of the district by washing away standing crops. A large number of farmers fear more losses are in store for them if rainwater is not flushed out from their lands soon. Every year, farmers of the district face crop loss due to natural calamities and inclement weather. But they allege, the administration pays only lip service to their problems. “Faulty agricultural policy of the government is the main reason behind the woes of cyclone-affected farmers. Since a concrete policy to insure agricultural lands is yet to be formulated, a large number of farmers are not covered by any insurance companies,” Singh alleged. District emergency officer Sambeet Satpathy said all the cyclone-hit farmers will be provided loans from the government, cooperative banks and other financial organisations. Seeds will also be provided to them. The district administration has directed the agriculture officer to submit a report on the crop loss, he added. Source - https://www.newindianexpress.com

02.06.2021

Spain - Valencia's citrus sector affected by fight against South African mealy bug

La Unió de Llauradors (Growers' Union) has shown through a study that the costs that producers are forced to make to fight the imported mealy bug pest from South Africa already represent an increase of 55% over total production costs in citrus. Although the pest is now widespread throughout the Region of Valencia and has already arrived in Murcia and Catalonia, the regions with the most damage are the Plana Baixa in Castellón and Camp de Morvedre and Camp de Túria in Valencia. The study of La Unió shows that the costs to combat pests already stand at 5,243 €/ha, and of these, 3,699 €/ha are devoted to the mealy bug, which entails an increase of 239% over the usual costs for this kind of treatment. Fighting the mealy bug means that the cost of producing a kilo of citrus fruits is rising by 0.14 €; an unaffordable figure for those affected. La Unió has repeatedly insisted on the need to have a sufficient budget to deal with this pest; therefore, a few weeks ago, the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, was asked for an additional 12 million Euro to cover the extra costs of the citrus growers affected. In the last Sectorial Meeting, 11.8 million Euro were distributed between the autonomous regions in order to fund pest prevention and control programs. The Region of Valencia was allocated 52% of these funds. However, while there has been a significant allocation of funds, it should be noted that it is still insufficient to address the damage caused by this pest. La Unió therefore insisted on the need to adopt a series of measures, such as increasing public investment in plant health to combat pests and diseases introduced into the European Union, or to provide more resources to research, which is the most efficient tool to achieve the control of these foreign pests. It also wants the productions coming from countries that have quarantine pests to be subjected to cold treatment during transport. Lastly, La Unió also argued in favor of the creation of a body of community inspectors, expert in agricultural pests and diseases, who should be working at the points of entry of these productions. Source - https://www.freshplaza.com

02.06.2021

USA - Few planting challenges in dry May 2021

According to data from WeatherTrends360, May 2021 ended up being the 12th coldest May in more than 30 years and the driest May in five years for the Corn Belt as a whole. As is typical of spring months, temperatures were on a roller-coaster ride as we transitioned from the cold to warm season. Warmer days were interspersed with colder days, however, the last few days of the month featured overwhelmingly colder-than-normal temperatures, including some frost and freezes in the far northern Plains. Drier conditions in May were favorable for corn planting which, as of May 23, was 90% complete across the 18 main corn-producing states; this is ahead of last year and the five-year average according to the USDA weekly crop progress report. However, dry conditions also meant that drought areas increased during the month. Drought deepened during May in central North Dakota, southwestern Michigan, and northeastern Illinois. In fact, the most intense category of drought, exceptional (D4), cropped up in central North Dakota by the end of May. At this level of drought exceptional and widespread crop losses may occur as well as water shortages in reservoirs, streams, and wells. Indiana, Ohio, and southern Iowa saw improvements in dry conditions, although the drought conditions in the northern half of Iowa remained largely unchanged. Looking ahead to June 2021, WeatherTrends360 projects that dryness will remain in the northern Plains, generally from North Dakota into Nebraska. Meanwhile, the southern Plains will stay wet with unsettled weather into the eastern United States. Other than the occasional hot spike, Corn Belt temperatures are not expected to be exceptionally hot. However, hotter weather chances will increase in July, which will only act to increase dryness, especially in the northern Plains. This may lead to expanding and deepening drought for this region. Additionally, hot and dry conditions during pollination could cause a decline in crop condition. Source - https://www.agriculture.com

02.06.2021

India - Night-storm fire kills 30 livestock heads in Pehowa

A night storm in the region around 10.30pm caused widespread damage in these Haryana districts. At Garhi Roran village of Kurukshetra's Pehowa block, 30 livestock heads-cows, buffaloes, and goats-died when an electricity pole fell over their shed and the sparks burnt it down. Despite the storm, the villagers came out to douse the fire but it picked up due to strong wind and dry fodder. A fire brigade was called but the animals were burnt alive by then. Garhi Roran villager Sunil Kumar said: "We gathered quickly on hearing the cries of fire but failed to save the animals. The government should compensate the poor families who lost their livestock." Fire officer Bahadur Singh said: "We responded quickly to the call and even manage to control the heavy fire but the loss of property and animal lives could not be averted." Villager Rajesh Kumar said: "The snapped wires short-circuited, leading to sparks that started the fire. I lost a buffalo and 40 goats. I look to the government for help." Haryana sports minister and Pehowa legislator Sandeep Singh also visited Garhi Roran and promised all possible support to the affected families. The minister said. "The roof collapsed on the animals due to fire, We will help the villagers rebuild their animal stock. The officials have orders to assess the loss." Several eucalyptus trees also fell over the Yamunanagar- Ladwa road near Damla village and the Lohgarh Marg. bringing down electricity poles, blocking traffic during storm, and triggering long hours of outage. The Barara station house officer (SHO) said. "We removed many trees off the roads to resume traffic but it took the entire night. Source - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

01.06.2021

Kenya - Farmers count losses as worms wreak havoc on muguka farms

Grub worms have invaded Kirinyaga and Embu counties and they are wreaking havoc on Muguka farms. Farmers from the two counties are worried that the worms will wipe out thousands of acres of their crop if urgent measures are not taken. In Kirinyaga, they have infested Mugambaciura, Kanjinji, Murinduko and Ngucui where muguka is grown in large scale. The grubs which are giant larvae of beetles attack the plant roots, leaving them todie. Farmers started uprooting some of the affected muguka stems. Ms Mary Muthike, a farmer from Kirinyaga, called on the government to intervene. "I'm losing Sh30,000 every week following the invasion of my one acre of muguka farm and it is now difficult for me to meet all my financial obligations," she added. Farmers said the pests are resisted to the locally available farm chemicals. "The chemicals we buy from the market are not killing the worms and we need to be helped," added Ms Muthike. The farmers are now turning to ingenious methods to control the worms. "We are applying ashes in a bid to control these pests.We are also removing out the worms and crushing them.However, the methods are not very effective," another farmer Florence Wawira lamented. The farmers use income generated from Muguka to feed and educate their children. "Muguka is the only remaining crop which is giving us good money but it is now being destroyed. We need a solution to the problem," a farmer from Mbeere North Sub-County, Mr Joseph Kithu said. Dr Paul Kinoti, an agricultural scientist said such worms are highly destructive and they should be tamed as soon as possible. " These are dangerous worms which feed on roots of crops and grass. They are sometimes seen in animal feaces which are converted into manure for application in farms," he explained. However, he said there are good chemicals which can be sprayed and get rid of the worms. "Chemicals used to kill cutworms are the same ones which are sprayed on grub worms.Farmers should go for them to save their Muguka crop," he said. Dr Kinoti who is also a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology told the farmers not to panic as there is a solution to the problem they were facing. Source - https://www.businessdailyafrica.com

01.06.2021

India - Hailstorm damages orchards, standing crops in Kupwara

A hailstorm damaged orchards and standing crops in multiple hamlets of Chowkibal area, creating havoc among the locals here. The hailstorm caused damage in areas including Hachmarg and many hamlets of Chowkibal, leaving farmers shattered. “The hailstorm started in afternoon which lasted for 10 minutes causing huge loss to orchards including apple, almond, walnut and cherry besides substantially damaging standing crops, vegetables and paddy saplings,” said a local. Locals said that they were anticipating a good crop this year but their hopes were dashed because of hailstorm. They urged the authorities to chart out a strategy for farmers and accordingly devise some relief plan to compensate the affected farmers. Earlier, this month, on multiple occasions, hailstorm was reported across the length and breadth of the district. The hailstorms have demoralised farmers who were anticipating a good crop. Meanwhile, horticulture experts have advised farmers to consult them for future course of action. Source - https://www.greaterkashmir.com

01.06.2021

USA - Bats once again emerging from Yolo bypass by the thousands at sunset

It’s that time of year when hundreds of thousands of bats flock to our region. These creatures of the night are a huge help to local farmers. A drive on I80 from Sacramento to Davis will take you over what about 250,000 of these bats call home. The Mexican free-tailed bats come here for the heat as well as one of the best bug buffets Sacramento has to offer. “The weather has warmed up, the rice has been planted and there are many crops throughout the county and the Sacramento area that have been planted,” said Corky Quirk with the Yolo Basin Foundation. Those crops, especially rice, attract different kinds of moths. Quirk said the bats crave them as well as beetles and mosquitoes. She said most of the bats living under the causeway are pregnant, hungry females. Over the summer, they will give birth and nurse their young. “The bridge sort of serves like a cave. They’re in those little crevices and they’re safe up there,” Quirk said. She said these bats save U.S. farmers more than $30 billion per year by eating harmful bugs. This reduces a farmer’s crop loss and the amount of pesticides they have to use. The bats start their hunt around sunset, something people all over the Sacramento area often stop to see. “They kind of circle and then they exit. I call it a ribbon. Because it seems like they just go on and on and on,” Quirk said. Quirk uses her passion for these nocturnal creatures to help people seem them differently. Hopefully as something not out of a horror movie. “I’m trying really hard to help people overcome fears. Nocturnal animals get a lot of bad press,” she said. Source - https://sacramento.cbslocal.com

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