All articles tagged with #crop damage
The EPA has proposed allowing the use of three dicamba-based herbicide products on genetically engineered cotton and soybeans, despite previous bans due to crop damage concerns from drift, with the agency citing no health risks and support from agriculture groups, while environmental advocates criticize the decision.
Severe cyclonic storm Michaung caused heavy rains and extensive damage to crops in Andhra Pradesh, with villages being cut off and road connectivity disrupted. Crops such as paddy, cotton, chilli, and maize suffered significant losses. The Chief Minister directed officials to focus on restoring normalcy, providing support to affected families, and protecting crops. The government pledged to stand by farmers, offering subsidies for seeds and compensation for losses. Financial assistance and relief measures were also announced for affected individuals, including those in relief camps.
Freeze warnings have been issued for several cities near the Houston area as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing, potentially causing damage to crops and sensitive vegetation. Houston's temperature is forecasted to reach 36°. Residents are advised to take precautions such as removing items from vehicles and repairing or replacing weather stripping to protect against the cold.
Agriculture officials in California are working to eradicate the oriental fruit fly, a non-native bug that poses a threat to the state's crops. The fly, which is native to Asia, has been found in Santa Clara County and has the potential to cause billions of dollars in damage to fruits and vegetables. Officials are treating the affected areas with bait and pesticide, and are urging people not to move infested fruit to prevent the spread of the fly. Bringing fruit from outside the state into California is strongly discouraged to prevent further infestations.
Despite receiving average monsoon rains, Indian farmers are worried due to the uneven distribution of rainfall across the country. Some states have experienced excessive rains, while others have faced drought-like conditions. This has resulted in damage to summer-sown crops such as rice, vegetables, and pulses, with farmers having to replant in some areas and delayed planting in others. The delayed planting could lead to lower yields, especially if El Nino disrupts rainfall during the maturity phase of the crops. Additionally, the delays in summer crops could impact the sowing of winter crops like wheat and rapeseed, potentially leading to reduced yields and higher prices.
Tomato prices in India have surged over 300% due to extreme weather conditions, including flooding in major tomato-producing states. The rise in prices has led to thefts of tomato crops and even caused some McDonald's outlets to drop tomatoes from their menu. The government has invited the public to a Tomato Grand Challenge Hackathon to find solutions to improve the tomato value chain and lower prices. The tomato mosaic virus has also contributed to crop damage. Prices are expected to calm down next month when the summer crop supplies arrive.
Scientists are using gene-editing techniques to combat the spotted-wing drosophila, an invasive fruit fly that causes significant crop damage. One approach involves releasing sterilized male flies that mate with wild females, resulting in no offspring. Another method uses a gene drive to make female flies sterile, allowing the gene to spread and suppress future generations. These innovative solutions aim to reduce the reliance on indiscriminate pesticide use and provide more environmentally friendly pest control options for farmers. However, concerns about potential ecological impacts and regulatory uncertainties surrounding gene drives highlight the need for cautious implementation.
Heavy rains in Haiti have caused widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in at least 15 deaths and 8 missing persons. Nearly 13,400 people have been forced to evacuate, with over 7,400 families reporting damage to their homes. The rains have also caused significant damage to crops in the central region, exacerbating the country's ongoing food crisis. Prime Minister Ariel Henry is working with local and international organizations to provide aid to those affected.
China's largest wheat-growing province of Henan is expected to be hit by more rain in coming days, complicating efforts to harvest grain already damaged by wetter than normal weather in late May. The rains have caused some grain to sprout or be hit by blight. Around 30 million tonnes of wheat will be impacted by the rain, with between 10 million and 20 million tonnes likely to have sprouted, meaning it is unfit for human consumption. The agriculture ministry this week urged local authorities to dispatch emergency teams to drain water from fields, speed up access by harvesters and mobilise drying machinery to save as much of the crop as possible.
China's agriculture ministry is urging local authorities to speed up the harvesting and drying of damaged wheat after heavy rain flooded fields of ripe wheat in the country's most important growing region. The ministry advised authorities to send emergency teams to drain water from fields, speed up access by harvesters, and mobilize drying machinery to save as much of the crop as possible. Some wheat in southern Henan has sprouted after the rain, making it unfit for consumption, and the rain is also leading to blight in some areas.
The National Weather Service issued a freeze warning for several Michigan counties, including Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Lenawee, from 2 a.m. until 8 a.m. on Monday. Temperatures are expected to drop as low as 30 degrees, potentially causing damage to crops and outdoor plumbing systems. The NWS advises protecting plants by bringing them indoors or covering them with a tarp, and protecting outdoor water pipes by wrapping them, draining them, or allowing them to slowly drip.