Crop Protection

Ban on synthetic pesticides up for a vote in Switzerland

Switzerland could become the first European country to ban artificial pesticides in a June 13 referendum which backers of the initiative hope will trigger similar prohibitions elsewhere. Globally, only Bhutan has a complete ban on... more »

Japanese company Mitsui & Co. purchases Belchim Crop Protection

Mitsui & Co. has completed its acquisition of Belchim Crop Protection following the transfer of the remaining 32% of shares held by Belchim Management NV/SA. Mitsui’s holding in Belchim Crop Protection is 62%, alongside ISK... more »

New director of sales for Vestaron is Kira Bennett

As of June 1, 2021, Kira Bennett Sappington has been named director of sales for Vestaron’s commercial team. While continuing to maintain key grower and dealer accounts, she will be taking on the additional responsibility... more »

Southern bacterial wilt causing problem in vegetables

Weeks of wet weather in Louisiana and SE Texas has led to damage from one of the most serious diseases of crops such as tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers. Louisiana State University AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh... more »

EPA registration received for FMC Corp.’s fluindapyr fungicide

FMC Corp. received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration for fluindapyr, a novel broad-spectrum succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicide. Fluindapyr provides broad-spectrum activity against a wide range of destructive diseases in row and specialty crops, as well... more »

New guide helps organic growers battle burrowing rodents

Burrowing rodents can cause extensive and expensive damage to orchards and crop fields. To manage the pests without chemicals used on conventional farms, organic growers can consult a new publication from University of California Agriculture... more »

‘Ill-defined’ DPR spending proposal opposed by California farmers

California is losing farmland at an alarming rate of 50,000 acres a year. That's equivalent to 78 square miles, 12 Yosemite Valleys or 38,000 football fields. Not only does this have serious consequences for the... more »

With rainfall so come phytophthora and pythium

Most of the region has finally gotten rain and pop-up thunderstorms making conditions ideal for pathogens such as phytophthora and pythium on spring-seeded and transplanted crops. Unfortunately, pythium and phytophthora blight can be found on... more »