Immigration reform dies in Senate
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D.-Nev., removed an immigration reform bill from the floor Thursday, stating the Senate needed to move onto other issues. Amendments added to the original compromise agreed upon by 12 senators doomed the legislation, said Bob Dolibois, ANLA exec. v.p. The AgJOBS portion of the bill, which addressed ag. workers, was part of the proposal throughout its life, Dolibois said. A similar bill could be reintroduced in the next few weeks, but the Senate will be busy during this time debating the energy bill. The debate on comprehensive immigration reform could be dead on Capitol Hill until after the November elections.
USDA bans Canadian ash nursery stock
USDA banned imports of all ash nursery stock and other propagative materials from Canada to prevent spread of emerald ash borer. The ban also includes ash logs and ash wood with bark that can't be feasibly inspected, treated or handled to prevent the introduction of the pest. The Asian insect was first found in Ontario in 2002 at about the same time it was discovered in Michigan. EAB has since been found in IL, IN, MD and OH.
Oregon officials plant EAB detection trees
For the 1st time, Oregon officials planted ash trap trees in search of potential emerald ash borer infestations. The trees, which are girdled to attract EAB, were planted at 12 sites in the Portland area. Ore. Dept. of Ag. said EAB could arrive in the state via packing material from Asia or nursery stock from infested U.S. locations. The trap trees also have purple cellophane treated with a sticky substance wrapped around their trunks to further attract the pests. The 40 trap trees were donated by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., a Boring, Ore., nursery. Oregon pest survey technicians are trained to look for EAB evidence when scouting for gypsy moths and Japanese beetles.
No red palm mite in Florida — yet
Surveys of Florida nurseries searching for red palm mite were completed in May and the pest, Raoiella indica, was not found. But officials feel it may be only a matter of time before this mite makes the leap from the Caribbean to the U.S. mainland. Since its first detection in Martinique 3 years ago, red palm mite has spread throughout the Caribbean. It's been called the biggest mite explosion ever observed in the Americas. The pest, which feeds on palms, bananas, heliconias and other ornamentals, is such a threat that some have said its presence would ruin coconut palm production in the state. Red palm mite can spread via wind so officials fear the pest could arrive in Florida during the 2007 hurricane season.
Greene Family Nursery might sell
This year NMPRO magazine is running a series titled "The Great Nursery Adventure: A Year in the Life of Greene Family Nursery." This yearlong event chronicles a fictional family nursery business as it faces a series of challenges. In the climactic December episode, the family will sell the company or stay in business and NMPRO readers will make the decision for them. To vote and to read all the previous chapters, go here.
Worth a visit
The nursery business deserves its own action/adventure serial, "The Great Nursery Adventure: A Year in the Life of Greene Family Nursery." This month, the family faces a wind and hail storm. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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