Justin Hancock

This month’s blog discusses the importance of biodiversity when planting native seeds and plants. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3L98MIT #ernstseeds #nativeplants #nativeseeds #pollinators #monarch #biodiversity

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New on Entomology Today: While wildflowers and perennials are a must for supporting pollinators, there's no denying the popularity of many annual flowers for their colorful, visual appeal. A new study suggests choosing the right varieties can give annual flowers a role in nourishing bees and other pollinating insects in home gardens. Researchers observed pollinators visiting the six most popular annual flower species in the U.S., finding significant variation in pollinator attractiveness between cultivars, even within the same flower species.

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This new report not only covers our 2024 Top 100 survey, it includes a five year overview (from the COVID pandemic to today) of how growers are investing in tech, managing labor and other concerns, and more. Be sure to check it out! #top100growers

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Call for reading: Assessing Animal Welfare with Behavior: Onward with Caution Authors: Bethany K., Jason Watters, Caitlin Eschmann An emphasis on ensuring animal welfare is growing in zoo and aquarium associations around the globe. This has led to a focus on measures of welfare outcomes for individual animals. Observations and interpretations of behavior are the most widely used outcome-based measures of animal welfare. They commonly serve as a diagnostic tool from which practitioners make animal welfare decisions and suggest treatments, yet errors in data collection and interpretation can lead to the potential for misdiagnosis. We describe the perils of incorrect welfare diagnoses and common mistakes in applying behavior-based tools. The missteps that can be made in behavioral assessment include mismatches between definitions of animal welfare and collected data, lack of alternative explanations, faulty logic, behavior interpreted out of context, murky assumptions, lack of behavior definitions, and poor justification for assigning a welfare value to a specific behavior. Misdiagnosing the welfare state of an animal has negative consequences. These include continued poor welfare states, inappropriate use of resources, lack of understanding of welfare mechanisms and the perpetuation of the previously mentioned faulty logic throughout the wider scientific community. We provide recommendations for assessing behavior-based welfare tools, and guidance for those developing tools and interpreting data.

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Happy #NationalPollinatorWeek DYK - the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) has published Best Management Practices for bee health in the horticulture industry? They listed some great strategies: 🐝 Before treating the plant, determine its level of bee pollinator attractiveness. 🐜 Consider using Integrated Pest Management strategies (like biologicals!) for pest control and avoid unnecessary preventive applications. 🦋 Avoid spraying pollinator-attractive plants with systemic insecticides toxic to bees the last three weeks before shipping and sale. 🐞 Always read and follow label instructions and application restrictions. The label is the law, and these directions are intended to protect pollinators. It's a good read - take a look! https://lnkd.in/gzeJdFYu #protectpollinators #biologicalcontrol #pollinatorweek #sustainablegrowing #HRI #GrowWiseBeeSmart

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The U.S. #greenhouse food production market is expanding, with several key food groups and areas seeing outsized growth. Here are a few takeaways from the recent webinar:

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The seed sector needs to support information that improves farmer adoption of new technologies & limits costs. Complete the CFIA survey before May 1 to have your voice heard. https://ow.ly/qcyH50Rk7up #

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As we approach the fall, the agricultural landscape appears to be on the brink of significant change, and with that comes the potential for a substantial increase in farmland auctions. Several factors are converging that could lead to one of the busiest seasons for land sales in recent memory. (By Max Steffes, for Farm Progress)

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There's been a lot of research into social housing for calves over the last several years, but what have we learned? This review discusses how we can accommodate natural social behavior in commercial dairy herds by considering age at introduction, the environment in which they're housed, among many other aspects. Read more at https://conta.cc/3XJerNn

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🌳 Insight on #Almond Tree Planting Trends 📉 The latest USDA almond nursery sales report reveals a significant slowdown in new almond tree sales, with just 31,000 acres worth of trees sold in 2022/23. This marks the #lowest sales figure on records going back to 2012, highlighting the prolonged impact of subdued almond #prices on growers' willingness to invest in new crops. A US trader told us that "there are too many almond trees in the ground, and more need to be removed for supply and demand to go back into balance". 💬 🖇️ For a deeper dive into these trends, read the full commentary compiled by Aidan Wright: https://hubs.ly/Q02vlKmq0 #MarketIntelligence #Commodity #Crops

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🌱 Koppert has published its inaugural Sustainability Report—a milestone in the company’s mission to integrate sustainability across its operations and environmental impact. The report, which covers Koppert’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, showcases achievements and sets the foundation for future sustainability benchmarks. 🌍 Peter Maes, Director of Transformation at Koppert, emphasized, “Sustainability is at the heart of Koppert’s mission, and this report enables us to measure and enhance our impact, ensuring we leave a positive legacy for both the planet and society.” Although not yet required by the CSRD, Koppert is proactively aligning its reporting standards to meet these regulations by 2026. 🔗 For more info: https://ow.ly/wHYw50TVMTU Do you think more agribusinesses should adopt similar transparent sustainability practices? 🌾💬 #Agribusiness #PlantHealth #AgTech #Sustainability #PrecisionAg

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Trends in Plant Science November issue. Read FREE ·     Understanding plant-soil interactions underpins enhanced sustainability of crop production (see cover) ·     Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance during plant evolution and breeding ·     Parthenocarpy, a pollination-independent fruit set mechanism to ensure yield stability ·     Unmasking complexities of combined stresses for creating climate-smart crops ·     & much more https://lnkd.in/ePTUbUy  

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🌍 This World Migratory Bird Day, CREDUCE joins the global chorus in celebrating these incredible feathered travelers and highlighting the crucial role they play in our ecosystems. The theme for 2024, "Birds Need Bugs: The Importance of Insects for Migratory Birds," sheds light on a critical but often overlooked aspect of bird migration: their dependence on healthy insect populations for fuel. The decline of insect numbers due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change creates a ripple effect, jeopardizing entire migratory cycles and the delicate balance of our natural world. 🦅 At CREDUCE, we understand the interconnectedness of our planet's health. We are committed to developing and implementing innovative climate change mitigation solutions that not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also promote biodiversity and habitat restoration. By creating a healthier planet, we ensure a future where migratory birds can continue their awe-inspiring journeys for generations to come. 🌿 Let's celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by taking action! Share your thoughts on the importance of insect conservation and how we can all contribute to a more sustainable future for birds and our planet. 🤝 #CREDUCE #worldmigratorybirdday #migratorybird #migration #extinction #esg #ghg #environmentalist #environmentalimpact #carbonneutral #carbonfootprint #carbonemissions #carbonaccounting #carboncapture #carboncredits #carbonmarkets #carbonreduction #carbonpricing #sdg #carbonneutrality #carbonremoval #emissionsreduction #sustainability

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In this webinar, John Kempf explores the essential role of microbial communities in regenerative agriculture and offers tips on preventing soil compaction. Are microbial communities the key to unlocking better soil health on your farm? 🌱 ▶️ Catch the full video here: https://loom.ly/4gM30ys #RegenerativeAg #SoilHealth #RegenAg #CropSuccess #SustainableFarming

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