Will retail customers pay more for plants that are labeled “water conserving” or “disease free?” According to Dr. James Pease, professor of agricultural and applied economics at Virginia Tech, the answer is yes. Dr. Pease conducted a survey and found that the difference, in fact, could vary from 9 percent to as high as 60 […]
Extension workshop on April 29 to cover biological controls
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For those interested in using biological control to manage pests in the greenhouse or nursery, Oregon State University will be hosting an all-day program titled Bugs in the System from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29 at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (15210 NE Miley Rd., Aurora, Ore.). Those attending will learn […]
1-866-INVADER’s Greatest Hits
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It takes many eyes to spot all the invasive pests, plants and pathogens that might possibly come into Oregon and cause damage. That’s why, 15 years ago, the founders of the Oregon Invasive Species Council decided to enlist the public’s help. They set up a hotline at 1-866-INVADER, where people could call in and report […]
Website educates public on invasive pest threats
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Although the agriculture community is well aware of invasive pests and pathogens — including the emerald ash borer, sudden oak death, the giant African snail, the citrus psyllid, the Asian longhorned beetle and many others — agriculture cannot fight them alone. These pests can be transported unwittingly by the general public; therefore, public awareness is needed to […]
House approves bill creating Pollinator Health Task Force
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As reported recently in the Capital Press (Salem, Ore.), a proposal to reclassify neonicotinoids as “restricted use pesticides” has been removed from a bill currently before the Oregon Legislature. The classification would have meant that only licensed applicators could use the class of chemicals. Instead, the bill calls for creation of a Pollinator Health Task […]
Officials keep an eye on invasive Japanese beetle
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Photo by Randy L. Rasmussen / The Oregonian Presently, Oregon remains officially Japanese-beetle free, thanks to the efforts of the state’s insect pest prevention and management program. According to an in-depth story recently published by The Oregonian, workers for the Oregon Department of Agriculture use pheromone and scent traps to catch any adult beetles, and […]
Oktoberpest lineup announced
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Oregon State University and the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) have announced the lineup for this year’s Oktoberpest series of pest management workshops. A workshop on beneficial insects will be taught in English on Oct. 4 and Spanish on Oct. 11. That will be followed by a workshop on reducing the risk of […]
One stinky bug
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Here’s some good information on the brown marmorated stink bug and how to fight it. (Photo by David R. Lance, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)
OAN announces 2012 NW Ag Show seminars
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The Oregon Association of Nurseries will present three hours of grower seminars from noon–3:10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 at the NW Ag Show. The show runs Jan. 24–26 at the Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive, Portland, Ore. Your paid seminar registration includes admission to the expo floor. The seminars are as follows: Noon–1:10 […]
OAN publishes 100-page guide to reducing pest and disease risks
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The Oregon A The Oregon Association of Nurseries has published the “Safe Procurement and Production Manual,” a 100-page guide to producing healthy nursery stock by using a systems approach. The book is available online now as a PDF download, at no cost. In addition, a free, full-color print version is available for the asking at […]