Crop Protection

Genome sequencing furthers knowledge of pathogen

The various species of bacteria in the genus enterobacter may be painfully familiar to you. Enterobacter cloacae, the best known of the genus, is a cause of various infections, including those of the lower respiratory... more »

Obama seeks more power to merge agencies

President noted to an audience of small business leaders that the bureaucracy included five different entities involved in housing, and more than a dozen agencies that regulate food safety. The Washington PostTo read more, click... more »

House committee releases listeria report

The U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee released a bipartisan staff report Jan. 10 that details the findings from the committee's investigation into the 2011 listeria outbreak in cantaloupes grown and processed at... more »

Local farmers ensuring food safety long before federal bill

Even before President Obama signed a new food safety law on Jan. 4, 2011, Yuma-area farmers had been voluntarily taking steps to ensure the healthy vegetables they produce don't end up being a health risk... more »

USDA introduces food safety tool

USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, along with leaders from food and agriculture organizations, introduced a free online tool for U.S. producers Dec. 15.The tool is designed to help U.S. producers of all sizes achieve Good... more »

Listeria hysteria

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 29 reported deaths from last fall's listeria outbreak. As of November, CDC reported 139 people with severe illnesses.Last September, CDC traced the listeria... more »

Father, son carry on Massachusetts family heritage

When Mario Marini talks about farming, he talks about his heritage - and about the farm's future."My parents worked hard to give me what I have, and I'm thankful to my son (Michael) because the... more »

Enza’s new bell pepper, Eazyleaf varieties hold promise for farmers

The biggest challenge processors and growers face when it comes to growing bell peppers and other row crops, like lettuce, is producing high-yielding plants with long shelf life and uniform size.One of the company's new... more »

Soil … it’s more than dirt

Soil is a living, breathing organism that, when properly managed, is a farm's best defense against an environmental disaster and a farm's best offense for financial stability. By understanding the makeup of soil, farmers can... more »