Crop Protection

Fresh produce association forms CEA leadership council

The International Fresh Produce Association is forming a leadership council focused on Controlled Environment Agriculture. The volunteer council, led by Abby Prior, chief commercial officer at Bright Farms, and Vonnie Estes, vice president of agfood... more »

USDA awards $73 million in specialty crop grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding almost $73 million in fiscal year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding. The $72.9 million in grants, through the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, will be used for... more »

Vestaron’s investment round increases to $92 million

Vestaron, a leader in peptide-based biological crop protection, has received an additional $10 million in its Series C fundraising, bringing the total $92 million. The additional investment comes from Grosvenor Food & Agtech, which joins... more »

UF, NC State researchers using tomato genome to tackle nematodes

Parasitic nematodes are responsible for about $125 billion in annual crop loss worldwide, and they can cause farmers to lose up to 80% of their tomato yield. “The situation with nematodes is exacerbated by an... more »

Study seeks info on beet leafhopper, other pests in the Columbia Basin

Vegetable growers in the Columbia Basin can help researchers learn about beet leafhopper management practices. As part of the Areawide Management of Insect Vectors in the Columbia Basin of Washington and Oregon, the U.S. Department... more »

Vive Crop Protection adds investments, plans for growth

Vive Crop Protection recently closed its Series C investment round, with the $26 million targeted to expand its North American market and advance research and development. Emmertech led the investment round, with participation from the... more »

Research in England on strawberries considers IPM practices

Experts at two British universities are starting a new project to develop a photonic “nose” to monitor crops for pest infestations and plant disease. Aston University, Birmingham, England, is collaborating with Harper Adams University, Shropshire,... more »

Look to California for day neutral strawberries for repeat blooming in East

There is significant interest in the use of repeat blooming strawberries for extended production. These “day neutral” varieties can provide good spring production with continued production into the summer and fall, depending on the planting... more »