Wildfire damages mount
Southern Calif. nurserymen continue to comb through their fields to tally damages from last month's wildfires. "We're still assessing the damage from the fire," said Mark Collins, who owns Evergreen Nursery, San Diego's largest wholesale nursery, which specializes in growing large-scale landscape plants. "Some of the trees can be saved, but we'll have to go through and make that determination," he told Calif. Farm Bureau Federation. "When I look at this destruction, it makes me mad. I feel violated by the fire. Some of these trees take 10-15 years to reach the size needed in commercial landscaping. Obviously we'll keep going, but the fire has definitely set us back." Robert Falconer, exec. v.p. of Calif. Assoc. of Nurseries and Garden Centers, said ash accumulations are hurting plant quality. "There are a lot of things going on short of burning up that are really affecting operations and the grower's ability to care for and ship plants," Falconer said.
New Phytophthora species affects pines
A new Phytophthora species, named Phytophthora pinifolia, has been identified as the likely cause of a relatively new disease of Pinus radiata in plantations in Chile. The disease, which was first observed around 2003, is locally referred to as Daño Foliar del Pino (DFP). Characterized by relatively rapid death of needles and subsequent defoliation of trees, infections typically appear in late autumn, coinciding with the onset of rain. While diseased trees can sometimes recover the following growing season, others may become re-infected, have a reduced growth rate and become more susceptible to attack by other pathogens.
Farm Bill awaits vote, could include AgJOBS
The Senate Ag. Committee finished its negotiations and approved the Senate version of the 2007 Farm Bill. The Senate-passed bill contains many of the same provisions benefiting specialty crops as did the House-passed version. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is working with Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in support of including AgJOBS as a floor amendment to the Farm Bill. Industry members are being encouraged to contact senators in support of both the specialty crop provisions and including AgJOBS as an amendment.
Ag. Census forms can be filed online
Nat'l. Ag. Statistics Service will mail out Ag. Census forms on Dec. 28 to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. Completed forms are due by Feb. 4, 2008. The Census of Ag., taken every 5 years, is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and many other areas. Growers can return their forms by mail or, for the first time, they can fill out the Census online.
Scientists decry methyl bromide alternative
U.S. EPA received a letter signed by 54 scientists who oppose the registration of iodomethane as a soil fumigant, citing potential human health and environmental concerns and requesting additional peer review. Last month EPA approved a 1-year registration of iodomethane (methyl iodide) under highly restrictive provisions. Iodomethane is an alternative to the ozone-depleting pesticide methyl bromide. Iodomethane can be used as a pre-plant soil fumigant to control plant pathogens, nematodes and insects.
On-job drug use increases
Drug use in the workplace is on the rise, according to a new federal study. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that of the nation's estimated 16.4 million substance abusers, about 15 million are working full-time jobs. The study points to a direct correlation between high job turnover and absenteeism among substance users: more than 12% of full-time workers who abuse illegal substances reported working for 3 or more employers during the past year, compared with 5% for non-abusers.
Worth a visit
J. Guy of Carolina Nurseries, the 2007 NMPRO Nursery Grower of the Year, has been a leader in marketing and employee safety. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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