All posts tagged "Graincrops"

DETROIT — Remains of an invasive beetle from South Asia were found in an unaccompanied international baggage in June at Detroit Metro Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said. Parts of a Khapra beetle were found during a routine X-ray screening of baggage upon re-entry into the U.S., official said in a statement Tuesday. Screenings showed a bag of rice that originated in India contained the remains, which were later identified by officials from Customs and Borer Protection and U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to the release. "Khapra beetles are not native to the U.S.......

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On recent a brisk March morning in Woodland’s rolling hills, Raul “Reppo” Chavez was already covered in sweat. Chavez and his cousin Antonio had spent the last half-hour hacking away at their agave plants — monstrous pineapple-looking beasts whose spiky leaves are all that can be seen above the soil. The jimadors, as the farmers of the unique succulent are called, were harvesting agave that they planted six to eight years ago. After a stormy weekend, they will roast the 100-pound agave hearts (known as piñas) for five to seven days in an 8-feet-deep pit covered with pumice......

DUBUQUE, Iowa — As Old Man River slowly awakens from its winter slumber, eagles work the edges of the opening channels and marina docks groan as the slow current wrestles the ice. Anglers — and an occasional whitetail deer — tread cautiously on the big river. Just like any other early spring on the Upper Mississippi. But April brings heightened concerns for the Mississippi River watershed, the world’s fourth largest. As state and federal officials prepare for the prospects of spring floods, last fall’s drought, which stalled commercial boat traffic on the mighty river, is never far from mind. ......