- California cucurbit growers can now rely on a new disease control option with the recent registration by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) of Sovran™ fungicide from BASF for use in cucurbit vegetables. “Cucurbits are particularly susceptible to powdery mildew, and Sovran works well in controlling this disease,” said Reed Barrett, Marketing Associate for BASF. “Sovran provides complete coverage of the plant, protecting all leaf surfaces from disease infection at a great value to the grower.” Cucurbits—such as cantaloupe, chayote, Chinese waxgourd, citron melon, cucumber, gherkin, gourds, Momordica, muskmelon, pumpkin, summer squash, winter squash, watermelon and zucchini—now join grapes, pecans and pome fruits, such as apples and pears, on the Sovran label.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has signed a cooperative agreement with the American Angus AssociationSM. A ceremonial signing was held today to recognize the cooperative efforts of both groups in the education of the premise registration process and enrollments. Under the agreement, educational efforts will include on-site educational discussions through the Association’s Outreach Seminars and other educational programs, print advertising, direct mail as well as e-mail communications. In addition, with the assistance of ABG, Inc., online training programs will be available to cattle producers across the nation. The online program will describe the value and benefits of registering premises and the steps necessary to complete an enrollment.
- Vistive St. Louis, Mo., has issued a challenge grant in support of the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program. Funds generated through the Vistive£ grant will be used to develop family health and wellness lessons (obesity prevention) to supplement the existing farm safety programs. The grant will match contributions from other corporations and organizations dollar-for-dollar (up to $25,000) when those contributions are ear-marked for health and wellness lessons. “The funding received through the Vistive£ challenge grant will help the Progressive Agriculture Foundation create a family-based program which will help parents teach their children about health and wellness and also help the parents understand how to be healthier at the same time,” says Randy J. Bernhardt, executive director of development, Progressive Agriculture Foundation. “This family-oriented program will supplement the existing programs directed specifically toward children, and we plan to have the curriculum finalized by fall 2008.
