ANLA recommends 2007 Farm Bill measures
ANLA compiled a list of issues it recommends be addressed by the 2007 Farm Bill. Chief among them are pest and disease issues, including a plant pest emergency eradication program. This program would give USDA access to emergency funds should serious foreign plant pests, such as Phytophthora ramorum or emerald ash borers, invade the U.S. Other proposals are for increased funding of nursery research, projects that address farm-worker issues, and changes to the Plant Patent Act.

Oregon gets high grade for invasives control
Oregon's Invasive Species Council awarded the state a grade of A-minus for its overall invasive species control efforts in 2006. This is the same grade the council awarded the state in 2005. "On our list of the 100 worst species threatening Oregon, none of them became established in the state in 2006," said Dan Hilburn, Ore. Dept. of Ag. Plant Division administrator. ODA pointed out that Phytophthora ramorum, the sudden oak death pathogen, was found at 13 Oregon nurseries in 2006, and 40 acres of forest were found infected in Curry County. Detection, exclusion and eradication programs for P. ramorum will continue in 2007.

Genome project will protect trees from diseases
A project led by N.C. State Univ. will study the genomes of trees in the Fagaceae family, including beech, chestnut and oak species, to help breed blight-resistant trees. American chestnuts were destroyed during the first half of the 20th century by chestnut blight in what has been called the greatest ecological disaster in U.S. history. The research team plans to create an integrated genetic and physical map of Chinese chestnut to pinpoint areas in the tree's genome that determine resistance to chestnut blight, said NCSU professor Ron Sederoff.

Researchers estimate 7 Atlantic hurricanes in 2007
Colorado State Univ. researchers predict 14 named storms during the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season. They predict 7 hurricanes, 3 of them major, with a high probability that one would make landfall in the U.S. In 2006 the group predicted 13-16 named storms, 8-10 hurricanes with 4-6 of them being major hurricanes (sustained winds greater than 111 mph). There were 9 named storms, including 5 hurricanes with just 2 considered major. No hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. in 2006.

Worth a visit
David Kuack, GMPRO editor, reminds growers to be diligent in inspecting plant material from offshore producers. Only on GreenBeam.com.

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