• By Ben Faber • A new species of gigantic tumbleweed once predicted to go extinct is not only here to stay — it’s likely to expand its territory. The species, Salsola ryanii, is significantly larger than either of its parent plants, which can grow up to 6 feet tall. A new study from the University of California, Riverside, supports ... Read More »
Within a few years, California farmers will have to pay $15 an hour minimum wage and time-and-a-half overtime for anything over eight hours under new regulations. That is, if they can even find reliable workers. A number of producers have already turned to robotics to replace hand-hoeing crews in specialty crops, which have a higher per-acre value and a lack ... Read More »
The Environmental Protection Agency has eased restrictions on dicamba herbicide use by Texas cotton farmers, according to an announcement by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. This is a direct result of a cooperative push by the Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension services, and Texas cotton farmers. The current EPA label for dicamba is deemed too ... Read More »
Rainfall has been frequent across most of the Bootheel, and as I write this, there are plenty of chances for rain in the future. Don’t be tempted to irrigate squaring cotton unless there is a substantial dry spell soon. However, starting the flowering period with adequate soil moisture is essential and should remain at adequate levels to ensure proper fruit ... Read More »
Cotton Incorporated has named Dr. Gaylon Morgan research director, Agricultural & Environmental Research Division. In this role, Morgan will focus on weed and weed management research, according to a news release. A recognized expert in this area, he joins the company at a time when such expertise is most needed. Weed control and emerging diseases are the top two threats ... Read More »
The University of Tennessee has scheduled a weed tour, June 19, from 9-11:30 a.m., at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. A light breakfast will be served. Larry Steckel, UT Extension weed specialist, will lead the tour, along with Clay Perkins, doctoral candidate with the UT Department of Plant Sciences and Travis ... Read More »
The agricultural workforce is shrinking and some Clemson University researchers believe robots may help provide a means to protect America’s food and fiber industries. A group of them studying the use of robots in agriculture recently met with researchers from other universities and representatives from Clearpath Robotics to learn about programs and hardware that are available to equip robots to ... Read More »
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