Production timing is an essential element in fresh vegetable growers’ efforts to maximize profitability and reduce income risks. The present study uses biophysical simulation modeling coupled with a dual crop (tomatoes, sweet corn) whole-farm economic formulation to analyze the effects of growers’ risk aversion levels and price consideration (seasonal or annual price consideration) in expected ...

Apple scab emerged as an expensive problem in apple orchards throughout the Northeastern United States in 2009. Experienced growers who had managed scab effectively for many years found themselves spray ing throughout summer to control scab that kept appearing on new leaves. Th e effort required to protect fruit from scab during summer increased production costs and represents a “loss” to apple...

Much of cover crop research to date focuses on key indicators of impact without considering the implications over multiple years, in the absence of a systems-based approach. To evaluate the effect of three years of autumn cover crops on subsequent processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in 2010 and 2011, a field split-split-plot factorial design trial with effects of cover crop t...

A telephone survey was conducted with growers in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Mississippi, and North Carolina to discern the utilization of the glyphosate-resistant (GR) trait in crop rotations, weed pressure, tillage practices, herbicide use, and perception of GR weeds. This paper focuses on survey results regarding herbicide decisions made during the 2005 cropping season. Less than 20% ...

Background on Cheetah Paprika (CP) Extension services provided by CP consist of preliminary meetings to market paprika seed to farmers and teach them about the growing process, additional group trainings about farming techniques, individual support for growers provided by the field assistants, and information about grading and marketing the crop. The farmer receives extension services and a pac...

Michigan higbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) growers were surveyed during Winter 2003 to gather information on the extent of the pest status of japanese beetle (Popillia japonica, Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) within this crop, and their responses to this pest management challenge. The survey was mailed to 215 highbush blueberry farms in southwestern, central, and southeastern Michigan. Ninety...

This study investigated the information needs of cotton growers residing in two villages in the district of Bahawalpur. Face-toface interviews were conducted by visiting farms or homes using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analyzed by applying descriptive statistics. The results indicated that cotton growers required information, in general, in the areas of soil management and p...

Use of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.) as a trap crop for management of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), and leafwebber, Crocidolomia binotalis Zeller, was tried on an experimental farm and farmers’ fields. Preliminary studies indicated that planting of 15 cabbage rows followed by paired mustard rows to manage both pests was useful. The first mustard row is sown 15 days ...

Piper methysticum, a tropical, forest-dwelling shrub, called ‘awa (ah-vuh) in Hawaiian and also known as kava, is the source of a relaxing root extract esteemed as a ceremonial beverage throughout the Pacific region. It has traditionally been grown in relatively pristine native forest ecosystems by indigenous horticulturists who made extensive varietal selections and recognized the optimal envi...