Pistachio growers are dealing with stink bugs, but some can be beneficial

Pests are a thorn in the side of farmers and ranchers. For pistachio growers, those pests are causing a stink. Ag advisors in California say, unfortunately, the tree nut is all too inviting for stink bugs, but warn some can be beneficial.

“Most stink bugs are migratory, with the exception of the green stink bug, which overwinters in the orchard. Also, be careful that they don’t declare all stink bugs to be injurious because the gray, rough, shielded stink bug is beneficial, and it also lays eggs that are somewhat indistinguishable from all the other interior stink bugs,” said Bob Beeded, a UCANR Farm Advisor Emeritus.

The brown marmorated stinkbug is a native of Asia. It is believed that it first came to America by way of Pennsylvania more than two decades ago.

Related Stories
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss rising input costs, fertilizer transparency efforts, and the role of trade in supporting farmer profitability.
Louisiana State University Professor Shelly Pate Kerns says a late freeze forced widespread replanting of some crops across the state.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us to discuss the latest crop progress report and how market uncertainty and input costs are shaping planting decisions this spring.
Shifts in energy demand will influence fuel, fertilizer, and input costs.
Roger McEowen breaks down the EPA’s updated dicamba regulations and shares what farmers need to do to remain compliant under the new rules this growing season.
The fourth-generation owner of Georgia’s Arena Acres cultivated a love for floral arts in FFA on a family farm passed down through generations.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

In honor of Veterans Day this weekend, we wanted to take a moment to highlight an incredible program connecting our great nation’s heroes with agriculture!
Shaun Haney, host of Rural Radio Channel 147’s Real Ag Radio, joined us Friday on Market Day Report with an update on the important vote involving the use of ag machinery in Canada.
The FAO Food Price Index for October 2023 is out. Where do global food prices stand, and which categories saw the largest gains?
Agriculture Accounting Expert Paul Neiffer joined us Friday on Market Day Report to take a further look.
Falling feed costs and strong demand for butter could be good news for dairy farmers looking to get their finances back on track.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.