For eight hours a day, from March until May, research biologist Will Hawkes surveys huge swarms of insects landing on the Karpaz Peninsula on the north-east corner of Cyprus. This place is a migratory hotspot for millions of painted lady butterflies, drone fly hoverflies, seven-spot ladybirds and vagrant emperor dragonflies its like nothing Ive ever seen before, says Hawkes, a PhD student at the University of Exeters Genetics of Migration lab who first studied the phenomenon here a year ago.

This island is a pit stop for millions of insects that fly at high altitudes over the sea then come to land to rest as they migrate, possibly thousands of kilometres from the Middle East to western Europe. Its just astonishing that these creatures migrate such long distances and in such vast numbers in order to find the right food to eat and to reproduce in environments at particular temperatures, he says.

One grass fly we found at Cyprus is just 2mm long, so, for their body size, these migrations are quite incredible. Most of the time theyre completely invisible to us, adds Hawkes, who explains that the distances travelled by insects flying via Cyprus are as yet unknown. The furthest insect migration recorded is the 18,000km journey of the 4cm-long globe skimmer dragonfly between India and Africa.

Hawkess PhD supervisor, Dr Karl Wotton, describes his research at Karpaz as significant. Migration hotspots like this are a window into processes that normally go on unseen, high above our heads, as huge amounts of insects make seasonal movements, says Wotton. This Cyprus hotspot shows how distant ecosystems can nevertheless be connected. Its part of an emerging global picture of insects on the move.

Hawkes collects insects flying along a gully using a butterfly net in a Victorian-style study, then puts them into an insect cage to identify the species before releasing them. He also sets up tiny cameras to record insects flying past for timed periods at set intervals back in the UK, he spends weeks manually counting the numbers in every shot, frame by frame.

We can record thousands of insects flying past per minute its a big challenge, says Hawkes who, by returning annually, is building a long-term data set to let scientists observe trends and patterns over time. Some butterfly, dragonfly and hoverfly migrations have previously been studied but very few studies look at the bigger picture of insect migration. There are huge gaps in our knowledge; were genuinely at the very beginning of understanding these insect migrations.

Radar studies show that 3.5 trillion insects (3,200 tons of biomass) migrate annually above southern Britain alone, as published in the journal Science. Many of these insects are key pollinators and play a major role in pest control, so theyre absolutely vital to agriculture simply due to their sheer numbers, says Hawkes. Flies are the most numerous migrants and they have such an enormous impact on the biodiversity of our ecosystems and pollination of crops and plants.

In July 2019, Wotton, a senior lecturer at Exeter, revealed in the journal Current Biology that 1-4 billion hoverflies migrate into and out of southern Britain each year. As larvae, these hoverflies consume 3-10 trillion aphids, a species that would otherwise be damaging to crops. As adults, hoverflies eat nectar and pollen and are second only to bees in terms of their importance as pollinators.

Wotton recorded that migrant hoverflies each carry on average 10 grains of pollen, flying up to 100 miles a day. By transferring pollen between different populations of plants as they travel, migratory insects help maintain a diverse gene pool for wild plants and crops, increasing resilience to changes in environmental conditions and the effects of climate change.

Remarkably, insects are multigenerational migrants one full circuit involves between three and six generations of adults moving north from springtime to late summer, followed by one generation travelling back south during the autumn migration. The adults die once eggs are laid, before larvae hatch, so these long-distance migrations are not learned behaviours. These migrations are purely genetic. Insects use the sun as their compass and only migrate on days when the winds are favourable, says Hawkes, who also surveys insects flying along the valleys in the Pyrenees mountains on their autumn migration south. Its also likely that when a huge volume of adults dies at the end of each leg of the journey, their biomass provides a seasonal input of nutrients in each location which could be a key food source for other species.

But with plummeting insect populations, conserving biodiversity has never been more crucial. A global review published in the journal Biological Conservation found that more than 40% of insect species are declining and a third are endangered.

Insects are crucial to the health of functioning ecosystems that are vital for food production and security. Pollinators like bees get a lot of attention because three quarters of crops producing fruit and seeds for human consumption depend on them, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. Other types of insects include herbivores, detritivores, parasitoids and predators that are crucial to ecosystems humans rely on to survive, acting as pest controllers, recycling nutrients and performing other tasks.

How do humans harm insects?Habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, invasive species, the climate crisis and over-harvesting are all human-caused issues that put pressure on insects, say experts. The heavy use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers is the primary driver of harm to insects by humans, according to the first global scientific review of the literature in 2019.

How bad is it?Bad. Insect populations around the world are plummeting, with 40% of species declining and a third endangered, according to the same literature review. On average, insect biomass on Earth has fallen 2.5% a year for the last three decades or so, which could mean they vanish within the next 100 years.

What happens if insects become extinct? The survival of mankind would be at stake. With no insects to pollinate the crops humans rely on to eat or perform vital functions in ecosystems, humans would be in trouble.

What can we do about it?Insect experts have devised a roadmap for conservation and recovery. In the short term, humans must phase out pesticide use, prioritise nature-based farming methods and reduce light, noise and water pollution. In the long term, scientists have called for an international body to monitor the health of insect populations and action taken to help them.

Migratory insects are vulnerable to habitat loss beyond the boundaries of one country, and climate breakdown could affect the migration routes and ranges of these insect species so we need to take a more global, holistic view of conservation, says Hawkes, who believes farmers can make an enormous difference by reducing the use of pesticides and leaving field margins to grow wild.

Its easy to see the difference in numbers of insect types between a patch of wildflowers at the edge of a field and the middle of a crop we need to move away from monoculture towards agro-ecology.

Matt Shardlow, chief executive of invertebrate conservation charity Buglife, warns that spray drift and soil transport of pesticides into field margins pose a risk and that wildflower-rich habitats should be prioritised in urban areas, on road verges and railways, away from crops sprayed with pesticides.

Were restoring wildflower grassland to increase the availability of pollen and nectar for dispersing wild insects along a network of insect pathways called B-Lines throughout the British countryside and towns, says Shardlow, who is keen to persuade the authorities and EU partners to roll the network out across Europe.

These B-Lines will enable better dispersal of migrants and enable more species to start dispersing north again something thats prevented by increasingly fragmented habitats and the polluted nature of intervening land.

On an international scale, further research is required before the science of this Cyprus migration hotspot can influence policy and conservation management. We need further understanding of the biology of the species involved, natural variation in numbers and the routes taken before any strong recommendations can be made, Wotton says.

Conservation of entire migratory tracks takes collaboration between farmers, conservationists and politicians, Hawkes adds. We need to think beyond borders and consider how habitats link together along these migratory routes.

At an international level, we need politicians to realise that insects are playing a vital role so that governments create consistent policies that protect the diversity of insects and the plants they rely on.

Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield on Twitter for all the latest news and features

Link:
Its like nothing else: insect swarms on Cyprus reveal incredible journeys - The Guardian

Stinging caterpillar species include the buck moth caterpillar, spiny oak slug caterpillar, hickory tussock moth caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar and Io moth caterpillar.

Getty Images

As the weather warms up and people begin spending more time in their yards, parks and forests, more people will be coming home with a rash or bug bite.

However,Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Serviceexperts say before you blame a flying insect or a poisonous plant for a skin ailment, you may need to consider another culprit stinging caterpillars.

Spring foliage has brought on an abundance of caterpillars, a few of whom carry irritating or even venomous hairs, said Janet Hurley, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management for schools statewide specialist, Dallas.

We normally havefact sheetsavailable for schools this time of year, but with most children out of school due to COVID-19, we wanted to make sure parents are aware that there are stinging caterpillars in Texas, what they look like, and how to avoid them, she said.

Stinging caterpillar speciesinclude the buck moth caterpillar, spiny oak slug caterpillar, hickory tussock moth caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar and Io moth caterpillar.

Perhaps the most painful caterpillar in Texas is the southern flannel moth caterpillar, also known as the asp or puss caterpillar. An encounter with apuss caterpillaris very painful and may even require a trip to the hospital, according to AgriLife Extension experts.

Hurley said she recently received her first tussock moth caterpillar question confirming that just about every species of stinging caterpillar has now been spotted in our state.

A good rule of thumb is if a caterpillar looks fuzzy dont touch it, said Molly Keck, AgriLife Extension specialist in integrated pest management and entomologist, Bexar County.

Although many fuzzy caterpillars are not dangerous, do not pick up a caterpillar unless you are sure it is not of the stinging variety. The puss caterpillar, for example, looks deceptively soft and can be especially tempting for children to want to pick up or pet.

Theseteardrop shaped caterpillars look touchable, but they are not, said Wizzie Brown, AgriLife Extension specialist in integrated pest management for Travis County. Asps have spines attached to venom glands that can lead to a nasty sting, rash and other issues.

The southern flannel moth caterpillar, also known as the asp or puss caterpillar, is perhaps the most painful stinging caterpillar one might encounter in Texas.

Getty Images

Sincethese caterpillarstend to hide, you may not even know youve encountered one until you feel the sting, Hurley said.

If you are stung, you may feel immediate pain and reddish colored spots may appear where spines entered the skin. Some people may not feel pain until several minutes after they are stung, while others can experience intense throbbing or radiating pain. Other people may not feel much discomfort, and a red rash may be the only telltale sign.

Brown said different people respond to caterpillar toxin differently. Some people may have a more severe reaction than others, and where on your body you are stung and the thickness of that skin can affect your reaction too.

If the caterpillar is still on you, immediately brush it off if possible and then use tape to remove the spines that may still be in your skin, Brown said.

Washing the area with soap and water and applying an ice pack to the sting may offer some relief, and an oral antihistamine may help to relieve itching. Over-the-counter insect sting and bite relief products can also help.

The pain often goes away within an hour, said Mike Merchant, AgriLife Extension urban entomologist, Dallas.

Other symptoms after a sting can include nausea, vomiting, headaches, respiratory stress or shock. Since reactions to the toxins from stinging caterpillars can vary, seek medical advice or treatment immediately or go to an emergency room if you are concerned. Merchant also stressed that any contact with eyes or an allergic reaction to a sting requires immediate medical attention.

You are more likely to encounter stinging caterpillars when they leave their host plant in search of a spot to pupate, which is currently happening with many caterpillars, Keck said. They arent aggressive and wont come after you, but they can drop from trees.

Keck has reported sightings of both buck moth caterpillars and tussock moth caterpillars in the Bexar County area already this spring. Texans statewide need to be on the alert and keep an eye on trees and shrubs for caterpillar development, which typically occurs now into the fall.

Some common tree hosts are apple, basswood, cherry, dogwood, elm, maple, plum and oak, which is a favorite of the buck moth caterpillar. Some stinging caterpillars may even be found on crops such as corn.

Adult puss moths emerge in late spring or early summer to lay several hundred eggs on favored host trees, Merchant said. Caterpillars may also be seen feeding on dwarf yaupon and other shrubs. One to two generations occur each year, though southern flannel moth caterpillars tend to be more common in the fall.

Avoid stinging caterpillars by not sitting under trees and wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors, although even that is no guarantee of protection.

I had the misfortune of getting an eastern buck moth caterpillar on my pants the other day and accidentally brought it inside, Keck said. When I rested my hand on my leg, I encountered the hairs/barbs and it didnt feel good. It itched and left an uncomfortable feeling on my thumb for a couple hours.

Keck said there isnt much you can do about managing these caterpillars until they all pupate and go away. You dont need to worry about harm to your garden however, as stinging caterpillars typically do not do enough feeding to harm plants.

If you have large populations of stinging caterpillars and decide you need to try tomanage them, you can tryBacillus thuringiensisvar.kurstaki, BTK. However, this will also kill all the non-stinging or good caterpillars, which are an important food source for songbirds. You may also look for a pesticide with active ingredients such as spinosad or azadirachtin, which are naturally derived products.

Merchant saidpuss moth caterpillarscan also be controlled when they become abundant by spraying with a residual pesticide such aspermethrin, cyfluthrin or similar sprayslabeled for control of caterpillars on ornamental plants.

The best solution to dealing with stinging caterpillars may just be educating adults and children on what these caterpillars are, what they look like, and the importance of not touching them with bare hands, Merchant said.

Read more from the original source:
Stinging Caterpillar Season Has Arrived in Texas - Texas A&M University Today

Terminix, a leading provider of termite and pest control services, today announced its seasoned UK-based experts are now hitting the High Street with a whole new lookand a new focus on exceptional customer experiences.

Terminix UK Limited (formally part of Mitie Pest Control) has over 40 years of experience and is part of a growing global organisation, focused on elevating the customer experience and offering complete Integrated Pest Management Services, to home and business owners.

Only a few months in, and the Terminix brand and culture have already taken shape. After an initial kick-off with employees in October, trucks, uniforms, signage, etc., have been a celebrated sight on the High Street and tangible realisation of the need for more competition.

"It was clear from the very beginning that Terminix would be a great fit for our employees and community. The commitments of We Serve, We Care, and We Deliver really resonate with our employees and keep our focus on the customer. Once we saw that passion for the consumer, everything else fell into place," said David Wareing, Managing Director of Terminix UK Ltd. "Quality pest control options in the UK are limited to a few major players. Its exciting to shake up the industry in a way that benefits the customer in the end."

Operating with UK headquarters in Cheltenham, more than 300 Terminix professionals around the country provide service for a variety of market sectors, including public and local authorities, food manufacturing, property management, retail, healthcare, transport and logistics, education, and the hospitality industry.

While Europe represents the second largest pest control market in the world, more than 60 percent of Terminixs global pest control accounts have business in the E.U. and the UK.

This entry into the market is important because the team who joined Terminix have historically been masters of the UK pest control landscape, evidenced by the fact that over the last year, the local management team has increased core business and retained customers better than any other major national UK supplier.

The teams innovation work has led to the development and utilisation of canine detection specialists, digital reporting, treatments that require little or no pesticide, thermal image inspections, and the use of drones.

The company offers a comprehensive range of pest control services, including rodent control, bird control, insect and fly control, and wildlife management. Services cover everything from technical inspections and routine preventative visits, to pest proofing, clearance works, and the removal of pest contaminated waste.

Terminix UK complies fully withand in many cases is ahead ofcurrent legislation such as the EU biocides directives and is fully compliant with the guidelines set out by the CRRU, highlighting a commitment to providing sustainable service with minimal impact on the environment.

About Terminix

Terminix is a leading provider of commercial and domestic pest control services. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., U.S.A., Terminix services approximately 2.8 million domestic and commercial customers in 24 countries and territories. Terminix provides pest control services and protection against termites, rodents and other pests. Terminix is a business unit of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SERV), a leading provider of essential residential and commercial services. To learn more about Terminix, visit http://www.TerminixUK.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005289/en/

Contacts

Simon Purchon | +44 (0) 7778 748 813 | simon.purchon@terminixuk.com James Robinson | +1 (901) 597 7521 | james.robinson@servicemaster.com

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Pest Control in the UK Just Got Stronger With Terminix - Yahoo Finance

A study out of Mississippi State University evaluated the impact insect pest management strategies have on the economic return of small-scale tomato production. The results of this evaluation are published in the article Economic Effect of Insect Pest Management Strategies on Small-scale Tomato Production in Mississippi in the open access online journal HortTechnology.

Ronald Stephenson and a team of researchers scrutinized strategies including management based on a calendar spray schedule, conventional pesticide management based on action thresholds, and management based on action thresholds using organic controls in order to better determine the effects of these strategies on economic return for growers of tomatoes.

Due to difficulty in monitoring insect pests, applications of insecticides are frequently conducted on a calendar schedule. However, seasonal variability in pest populations leads to these calendar schedules being inefficient. Improperly timed pesticide applications are both expensive and may worsen problems by affecting beneficial insect species without effectively controlling target pests.

Concern regarding impacts of pesticides on the environment and human health has led to the development of integrated pest management (IPM) programs. A component of these programs involves the use of observation of pest populations in the field to direct timing of pesticide applications. Central to the concept of IPM is the use of an economic threshold of a population level where an application of a pesticide is advisable.

IPM programs have been widely successful in reducing pesticide use increasing profitability for growers. Economic thresholds require an understanding of crop market value. Because of unpredictability and variability of markets, economic thresholds can be difficult to apply. As a result, action thresholds have been developed as levels of pest density that result in loss of crop quantity or quality.

Threshold-based insect management strategies, including use of thresholds with conventional pesticides and with use of organic pesticides only, were compared with a conventional calendar approach for yield, management cost, and production value of tomatoes.

To evaluate economic benefit of management strategies, cost of inputs related to insect pest management were recorded. Cost of all pesticide treatments was calculated by measuring volume of pesticides applied. The amount of time involved in insect sampling and applying pesticides was recorded and labor cost was calculated. Insect management strategies were evaluated for their impact on yield, management cost, and economic return for small-scale tomato production in Mississippi.

These factors were compared for spring and fall seasons during two production years. Greatest total and marketable yields were obtained for use of conventional pesticides according to action thresholds. Use of organic insecticides according to thresholds did not affect yields in comparison with a calendar-based approach.

Proportion of fruit rated unmarketable was greater with the use of organic insecticides due to reduced efficacy and residual of control. Production costs for the organic threshold-based approach proved greater due to an increased number of insecticide applications required. Economic return for both conventional and organic threshold-based insect pest management was greater than for the conventional calendar method.

Increased economic return for conventional threshold-based management was due to increased yields. Increase in return for organic threshold management was based on premiums received for organically grown tomatoes. Adoption of conventional threshold-based insect pest management by small-scale producers has the potential to increase production efficiency and value, as well as increase environmental sustainability of production. Economic feasibility of organic production requires access to markets willing to pay significant premiums for organic produce. Price premiums for organic tomatoes were sufficient to result in greater economic return in comparison with calendar-based management, although the effect of increased price was partially counteracted by increased cost of organic insect pest management.

Both conventional and organic threshold treatments resulted in greater gross margins in comparison with the calendar spray treatment. Conventional threshold-based pest management resulted in increased yield of tomatoes, lower insect management costs, and improved economic return in comparison with other strategies.

Adoption of threshold-based insect pest management strategies has the potential to increase profits for small-scale producers, while also reducing the amount of pesticides applied. Insect pest management is one part of the overall picture for sustainability and further work will allow us to identify other practices that will benefit vegetable producers, said Stephenson.

For more information:American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)ashs.org

View post:
The economics of pest control - hortidaily.com

Latest Trending report with Business Opportunities and Market Implementation offered by Orbis Research is an informative study covering the market with detailed analysis.Access the PDF sample of the report @https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/3400550

Pests are more than just an inconvenience for the agriculture industries they pose devastating risks to farmers. Agricultural pest control is vital to dealing with infestations that you may encounter.

According to this study, over the next five years the Agricultural Pest Control market will register a xx% CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach US$ xx million by 2024, from US$ xx million in 2019. In particular, this report presents the global revenue market share of key companies in Agricultural Pest Control business, shared in Chapter 3.

This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares and growth opportunities of Agricultural Pest Control market by product type, application, key companies and key regions.

This study considers the Agricultural Pest Control value generated from the sales of the following segments:

Segmentation by product type: breakdown data from 2014 to 2019 in Section 2.3; and forecast to 2024 in section 10.7.

Rats Control

Mice Control

Birds Control

Slugs Control

Snails Control

Ants Control

Cockroaches Control

Others

Segmentation by application: breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, in Section 2.4; and forecast to 2024 in section 10.8.

Grains

Fruits

Vegetables

Flowers

Others

This report also splits the market by region: Breakdown data in Chapter 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Americas

United States

Canada

Mexico

Brazil

APAC

China

Japan

Korea

Southeast Asia

India

Australia

Europe

Germany

France

UK

Italy

Russia

Spain

Middle East & Africa

Egypt

South Africa

Israel

Turkey

GCC Countries

The report also presents the market competition landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the major vendor/manufacturers in the market. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in in Chapter 3.

Rentokil

Ehrlich

Western Exterminator Company

BASF

Critter Busters Inc

Swift Pest Control LTD

Twilight Pest Control

Heath Pest Control

Al Naboodah Group Enterprises LLC

Nightshift Pest Control

Dealey Pest Control

Steffel Pest Control Inc

McLaughlin Gormley King Company

ISCA

FMC

National Cleaning Company

Adama

In addition, this report discusses the key drivers influencing market growth, opportunities, the challenges and the risks faced by key players and the market as a whole. It also analyzes key emerging trends and their impact on present and future development.

Research objectives

To study and analyze the global Agricultural Pest Control market size by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2014 to 2018, and forecast to 2024.

To understand the structure of Agricultural Pest Control market by identifying its various subsegments.

Focuses on the key global Agricultural Pest Control players, to define, describe and analyze the value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.

To analyze the Agricultural Pest Control with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.

To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).

To project the size of Agricultural Pest Control submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries).

To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches and acquisitions in the market.

To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.

Table of Contents

2019-2024 Global Agricultural Pest Control Market Report (Status and Outlook)

1 Scope of the Report

1.1 Market Introduction

1.2 Research Objectives

1.3 Years Considered

1.4 Market Research Methodology

1.5 Economic Indicators

1.6 Currency Considered

2 Executive Summary

2.1 World Market Overview

2.1.1 Global Agricultural Pest Control Market Size 2014-2024

2.1.2 Agricultural Pest Control Market Size CAGR by Region

2.2 Agricultural Pest Control Segment by Type

2.2.1 Rats Control

2.2.2 Rats Control

2.2.3 Birds Control

2.2.4 Slugs Control

2.2.5 Snails Control

2.2.6 Ants Control

2.2.7 Cockroaches Control

2.2.8 Others

2.3 Agricultural Pest Control Market Size by Type

2.3.1 Global Agricultural Pest Control Market Size Market Share by Type (2014-2019)

2.3.2 Global Agricultural Pest Control Market Size Growth Rate by Type (2014-2019)

2.4 Agricultural Pest Control Segment by Application

Continue reading here:
Global Agricultural Pest Control Market 2020 | Increasing Demand, Technology Development, New Innovations, Future Projections and Forecast 2025 - News...

Have you ever tried to explain a paper, class, or even your overall major to someone who just doesnt get it? It can be hard trying to tell people why youre so interested in a subjectespecially if that subject happens to be creepy-crawly insects. Yet the study of insects, also known as entomology, is crucial to our society. Like any other field of study, entomology provides an endless variety of opportunities for you to pursue. You just have to know where to look. If youre interested in entomologyor if you just want an explanation to give your friends and familyhere are some of the reasons why its important to study insects.

When youre in college, your future career is always at the back of your mind. This is good news for any aspiring entomologists because there are endless careers you can find through the study of insects. Its not all about pest control, either (although pest control consultants for homeowners and industrial companies are always in high demand). You can help the police by becoming a forensic entomologist. Have you ever considered a career in the arts? Become a consultant for artists, writers, or designers, or create your own work with the knowledge you gain.

The agricultural industry also depends on the study and knowledge of insects. There are a variety of jobs you can have that benefit farmers and their products. You might study the diseases that insects can spread to livestock, as well as preventative measures. Perhaps you lean toward pest control and how we can protect crops and food products from harm. Another major example is the study of pollinators like honey bees, which are invaluable to farmers and their crops.

Despite their size, insects are an essential part of the ecosystem. One of the biggest reasons why its important to study insects is the positive environmental impact you can have. You can work for and with federal government organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency to help advocate for endangered species and their environments. Whether youre protecting natural habitats from big industry or preventing pests from harming forests and other environments, your work as an entomologist can have a major impact on the natural world.

See the article here:
Why Its Important to Study Insects - The Free Press of the University of Southern Maine

LANSING Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) today announced that 14 projects will receive funding through its 2020 research grant program.

MCBC recommended more than $400,000 in project support the largest annual research contribution from the Council to date. Five of the proposals selected are continuation projects from the 2019 grant program that are all in good standing. In total, MCBCs competitive grant program received 22 applications requesting more than $800,000.

These project awards were identified with the future of the industry in mind, said Gary McDowell, chair of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council. MCBCs Research Committee established timely research priorities, and the Council chose fitting and well-thought out proposals.

The 2020 research priorities of the Council: climate change impacts; crop quality including pest and disease management and soil health; water management and wastewater practices; market research; and new varieties for hops, fruit, barley, rye, and other agricultural inputs used in the craft beverage production.

Projects selected for 2020 research funding include:

Grapevine Cold Hardiness Research

Development of Red-Juiced Apple Cultivars for Michigan Hard Cider

Investigating the Terroir-Influenced Quality Attributes of Hops

Variety Selection and Agronomy Practices for Soft Winter Wheat Malting

Evaluation of Cereal Rye Varieties for the Michigan Craft Distilling Industry

Role of Planting Date and Seeding Rate in Optimizing Winter Survival, Yield and Quality of Malting Barley

Developing Integrated Pest Management Approaches for Bunch and Sour Rot Control in Michigan Vineyards

Optimizing Fungicide Inputs for Disease Management on Barley & Hops

Fermented Beverage Analysis

Investigating Winter Hardiness to Advance Winter Malting Barley as a Climate Adaptation Strategy in Michigan

Berries & Brews: Understanding the Market and Technological Processing Opportunities of Michigan Grown Fruit in the Craft Beverage Industry

Research Education for Michigans Grape, Wine and Cider Industry

Finding Solutions to Manage Plant-Parasitic Pests in Hopyards

Increasing Demand for Michigans Emerging Hard Cider Industry

At the close of the grant cycle, final reports will be posted to the Councils website research database. The new database is designed to contain research funded through the Michigan Craft Beverage Council and the former program, Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council. Searchable by keyword, author, year, category and crop, the database is designed to make the research of the Council easily accessed by industry members.

For more information about the Michigan Craft Beverage Council, including grants, grower connections, business support and tourism opportunities, visit MichiganCraftBeverage.com.

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Michigan Craft Beverage Council announces research grants for beer, hard cider, spirits and wine production | News, Sports, Jobs - Daily Mining...

Published: 16:32 Tuesday 03 March 2020

North Lanarkshire Council has been forced to deny that it has just one lone pest control officer for the whole of the authority.

The issue came to light after Scottish National Party MSP Clare Adamson spoke out on behalf of constituents amidst claims that numbers of rats and mice are alarmingly on the rise.

Stating that complaints to the council were simply going unheeded Ms Adamson said: The reducation in bin collections is a possible cause but my communications with the council suggests that a drastic reduction in the number of pest control officers, coupled with an end to proactive baiting, are significant factors that are not being given attention.

It is highly distressing to have a home invaded by rats or mice

One pest control officer to cover the whole of North Lanarkshire is entirely inadequate

A council spokesperson said: Although the council has reduced the number of pest control officers it employs directly, we have commissioned a private pest control firm to ensure that residents receive the same service within the same time period.

To say that we only have one pest control officer to cover the entire council area is misleading.

Where there is identified rodent activity within private land, the council has powers to identify the owner of the land and require them to take steps to have the area treated.

The council provides a three weekly bin collection which is the maximum volume of uplift recommended by the Scottish Government, as part of its Household Waste Charter. If residents utilise the four bin system correctly there should be sufficient bin capacity.

See the rest here:
Why cant you tackle mice and rats in Motherwell area says MSP - Motherwell Times

By The Canadian Press on March 4, 2020.

EDMONTON Health Canada is moving forward with a ban on the use of the deadly pesticide strychnine to kill gophers.

The Health Canada website says an evaluation of scientific information confirms there are risks to other animals, including species at risk, for products registered to control Richardsons ground squirrels.

In 2018, Health Canada cited concerns about animals including the swift fox and the burrowing owl in its proposal.

Gophers, which burrow underground, can damage crops and their burrows can injure livestock.

Health Canada says it made the decision after reviewing comments from agriculture groups, governments, environmental groups and members of the general public.

The governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan expressed concerns about a ban and groups including the Canadian Cattlemens Association and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities opposed it.

Based on the evaluation of currently available scientific information, Health Canada has concluded that the environmental risks associated with the use of strychnine and its associated end-use product to control Richardsons ground squirrels were not shown to be acceptable when this product is used according to the label directions and required mitigation measures, the Health Canada decision says.

Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada is cancelling strychnine used to control Richardsons ground squirrels.

In 2018, Alberta Agriculture said producers were worried about the financial implications of a ban because strychnine is the only effective tool for controlling gophers.

The department noted that Alberta has about 24 million seeded acres of crop each year with an estimate of $5 billion of production value.

Richardson ground squirrel populations have the potential to explode in the absence of viable control options. This could result in huge financial impacts to agricultural producers, a government spokeswoman said at the time.

The Saskatchewan government said when used according to the label, strychnine is the most efficient and effective control measure for Richardsons ground squirrels and has limited environmental effect.

The cattlemens association had said that the regulated use of liquid strychnine should continue because it is an effective tool and there is no practical alternative.

Health Canada plans to phase out strychnine products used for gopher control.

People who are against the decision have 60 days to file an objection, which must be based on scientific grounds.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 4, 2020.

With file from CJWW

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Biological Pest Control Market 2020 | By Top Manufacturers, Growth, Emerging Trends, Size, Global Share Analysis and Forecast to 2025 - 3rd Watch News