- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The federal government has pledged $1.75 million from the 2008 Farm Bill to fight European grapevine moth, a pest that made its first recorded U.S. appearance last September in a Napa County vineyard. EGVM has since spread to six grape-producing counties, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
"After increased detections of the pest in California in recent weeks, it is clear that additional funding is needed to ensure we can respond quickly and effectively to protect California's grape and wine industries," USDA administrator Cindy Smith was quoted in the
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Three European grapevine moths found recently in a northeast Merced County vineyard mean six grape-growing California counties are now dealing with the new pest, according to an article over the weekend in the Fresno Bee.
The pest, a native of southern Italy, made its first California appearance last fall in Napa County. It has also been trapped in Solano, Sonoma, Mendocino and Fresno counties.
Writer Robert Rodriguez reported that the Merced agricultural commissioner was surprised by the local find. Only about 12,000 acres of vineyards are within the county borders; by contrast, Fresno County as 190,000 acres.
Fresno...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner Carol Hafner held a news conference yesterday to outline efforts to combat European grapevine moth after three were detected last week in Fresno County. The ag commissioner's office has been monitoring thousands of traps in the county as part of a statewide program to detect the invasive pest.
On April 28, the officials confirmed that two European grapevine moths were found in separate traps about a half mile apart in vineyards southeast of the city of Fresno. On May 1, one moth was found in a trap in the Kingsburg area.
Grape production is the No. 1 ag industry in Fresno County, with an annual value of more than $700...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
As authorities collaborate on a battle plan to combat European grapevine moth, the pest has been detected in a new area.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported last week that 13 moths were found in a North Ukiah chardonnay vineyard, the first evidence the pest has reached Mendocino County. The discovery of the moths means that a quarantine with a three-mile radius around the vineyard will be established.
Mendocino County Ag Commissioner Tony Linegar believes the moth was transported on winegrapes from Napa County, where infestations are high, the story said. European grapevine moth, a native of the Mediterranean region, was...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
A few of California's top vintners admit to having smuggled grapevine cane cuttings into the United States to avoid a long wait for the plant to be cleared by USDA, according to an article that moved on the Associated Press wire over the weekend. The article was published in the Fresno Bee, the New York Times and other media outlets.
Some are wondering if what reporter Tracie Cone wrote is a "winked-at act of...
