California New World Screwworm Plan and Right to Repair Agreement
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**As the New World screwworm expands into the U.S. from Mexico, California’s pest exclusion leaders already have developed a response plan that includes trapping and education.
The flesh-eating parasite, which was confirmed in more than two dozen cases in Texas, has yet to be found in California.
But Alec Gerry, UC-Riverside, veterinary professor and Extension specialist, says producers should be prepared for the pest’s potential arrival through identification and prevention.
**An agreement announced by John Deere and the Federal Trade Commission ensures farmers and ranchers will have access to the diagnostic and repair tools that help them and independent technicians maintain and repair John Deere equipment.
Deere claims the agreement reinforces its continued innovation toward more flexible repair options.
Deere Vice President, Denver Caldwell says this is good news for our customers and for the future of how Deere equipment is supported.
**The USDA is expanding emergency crop insurance relief for apple growers hit by a damaging late-April freeze in Maryland, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Risk Management Agency is allowing approved insurance providers to finalize certain crop insurance claims before growers finish harvesting or marketing damaged apples.
The change gives producers more flexibility to decide whether fruit should be sold fresh, sent to processing, or handled another way.
