Hawaii and Related Agriculture Daily Charts for the week ending 03-19-2010

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The annual charts have bee updated. CLICK HERE to view.

The 360 day comparative price, line and histogram charts, page has been updated also. CLICK HERE to view.

Maui Land and Pineapple (MLP) 03-19-2010
Maui Land and Pineapple (MLP)

Whole Food Markets (WFMI) 03-19-2010
Whole Food Markets (WFMI)

Calavo Growers (CVGW) 03-19-2010
Calavo Growers (CVGW)

Alexander and Baldwin (ALEX) 03-19-2010
alexweek031910

Monsanto (MON) 03-19-2010
Monsanto (MON)

Syngenta (SYT) 03-19-2010
Syngenta (SYT)

DUPONT E I DE NEM (DD) 03-19-2010
Syngenta (SYT)

Hawaii Tribune-Herald | Local plant doctor releases iPhone app

Business Briefs

Published: Thursday, March 18, 2010 9:23 AM HST

University of Hawaii plant pathologist Scot Nelson has created a new, highly rated and interactive app for Apple products called "The Plant Doctor."

Adelante Consulting Inc. (http://www.iphodea.com) released of The Plant Doctor 1.0 in late February for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The Plant Doctor provides real time diagnosis and cost-effective treatments for plant diseases in gardens, landscapes, nurseries and farms.

Users may read the free descriptions of 10 of the most common plant diseases and their causes. If users are still unsure about their plant’s problem, they may buy a diagnosis. The app collects user-supplied information (text, photographs) about the problem and sends it to Nelson, a plant pathologist with a Ph.D. and more than 20 years of experience.

Nelson, stationed at the Komohana Agricultural Complex in Hilo, believes that the app is of potentially great benefit to farmers and gardeners worldwide. If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch and have plant health issues, The Plant Doctor 1.0 is a free download and is available exclusively through the App Store in the Lifestyle category. Diagnosis may be purchased for a nominal fee.

For more, contact Scot Nelson at snelson@hawaii.edu, 969-8265.

Hawaii Tribune-Herald :: Hilo, Hawaii > Archives > Features > Business Briefs

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY ANNOUNCE HAWAII RENEWABLE ENERGY OPPORTUNITY


WASHINGTON, March 18, 2010 – The U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Navy are co-hosting an all day forum in Hawaii on April 6, 2010, to share information about a recently announced collaborative energy opportunity. Among those providing remarks are Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen A. Merrigan and Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, assistant secretary of the Navy for installations and environment. The program is taking place on the Marine Corps Base-Hawaii in the Kaneohe Bay Officers Club.

Earlier this year, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support President Obama’s initiative to reduce energy consumption derived from fossil fuels and increase energy production from renewable energy sources. This energy initiative in Hawaii is a direct result of that MOU.

Hawaii has been selected as the location for the initial collaboration between USDA and the Navy because Hawaii’s energy costs are among the highest in the nation and imported oil supplies 90 percent of the State’s energy. A viable agricultural sector in Hawaii can enhance Hawaii’s energy security, and energy projects like those anticipated by the Navy’s needs can help rural economies.

Univ. of Ill. studies nematodes in biofuel crops – Yahoo! Finance

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — University of Illinois researchers say that a common crop parasite called a nematode has been found in large numbers on two plants being grown to make biofuels.

They aren’t sure yet if that’s a serious problem. But they’re studying the microscopic round worms and the miscanthus and switch grass plants they were discovered on to find out.

Researchers at the university’s Energy Biosciences Institute say some of the tiny parasites they’ve found reduce biomass in plants. The amount of biomass produced by the plants being studied is one key factor in how much fuel they can produce.

Nematodes are a common crop pest. Biofuel crops where they have been found were in Illinois, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, South Dakota and Tennessee.

Univ. of Ill. studies nematodes in biofuel crops – Yahoo! Finance

Manoa’s elusive, night-shrieking coqui frog finally bagged | The Honolulu Advertiser

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It took a lot of trying, but the lone Mānoa coqui frog has been captured.

The presence of the coqui, known for its piercing, loud shrieks, had dismayed residents of Melemele Place, a quiet dead-end road on the east side of Mānoa Valley. Neighbors went out on many nights trying to catch the frog, which is about the size of a quarter (typical for the species).

The problem was every time residents went looking for it, their flashlights would scare the frog into silence.

"I would hear it and go out there and it would stop, so I would turn off my flashlight and just wait in the dark," said Laka Preis Carpenter, who lives on that street and went on several frog-hunting missions.

The recent cold and windy weather also foiled the hunt. Department of Agriculture inspectors went out to the area to hunt for the frog two weeks ago in less than optimal weather, but were unsuccessful.

McDonnell appoints Lohr agriculture commissioner | Washington Post

Gov. Bob McDonnell has appointed Del. Matt Lohr (R-Rockingham) as the next commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

"Matt understands the importance of agriculture to Virginia’s economy,” McDonnell said in a statement. "Virginia’s farms don’t just grow food; they also provide critically important jobs and revenue for our Commonwealth. I want an aggressive, experienced leader to head up the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It is a crucial agency to the future prosperity of our state."

Lohr, 38, was elected to his third term last November. McDonnell will set a special election to fill his seat in the Republican-leaning district when Lohr resigns. He will start his new job May 1.

Lohr, a farmer, will replace Todd Haymore, who McDonnell promoted to secretary of agriculture and forestry.

"I have been passionate about agriculture my entire life and have enjoyed being an advocate for it, whether it’s through my work on the family farm or from my seat in the House of Delegates,” Lohr said. "I look forward to continuing those efforts."

Virginia Politics Blog – McDonnell appoints Lohr agriculture commissioner

Great American Group(R)* Contracted to Manage Auction of Excess Assets of Maui Pineapple Company

WOODLAND HILLS, CA–(Marketwire – March 15, 2010) – Great American Group, Inc. (OTCBB: GAMR), a leading provider of asset disposition, valuation and appraisal services, announced they have been contracted to auction excess assets no longer required for the ongoing needs of Maui Pineapple Company.

The auction will take place on Tuesday, March 23rd, starting at 10:00 a.m. HT (Hawaii Time). Live simultaneous bidding will occur onsite and online. The sale will offer assets and equipment from three separate facilities and will include Processing & Cannery Equipment, Construction/Agriculture/Harvesting Machinery, Power Plant Generators, Trucks & Trailers, Facility Equipment, Machine Shop, Distribution and Warehouse Equipment, and much more! For detailed descriptions of all items available visit www.greatamerican.com or call 1-800-45GREAT.

Hawaii Tribune-Herald | Many varieties of world’s most important fruit

Bananas are fun to grow, with tips from a pro

Click Here for Larger Image
Bananas can grow quite vigorously and productively in many landscapes and gardens on the Big Island. The many varieties of this large, perennial herb yield the world’s most important fruit. The ripening, homegrown bunches hang in garages around the state, ready to nourish our families.

Most banana plants can produce large and high-quality fruit yields if they receive sufficient plant nutrition and well-timed horticultural care. Here we describe simple practices that growers can use to cultivate better bananas and to harvest bunches heavy with delectable fruit.

Pineapple Plant Auction

Public Auction: Pineapple Plant of excess equipment no longer needed for current operations

Auction Date: Tuesday, March 23 at 10am – at Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului Maui

Previews/inspection on Monday, March 22, 9am – 4pm (at 3 locations or by appointment)

– 120 Kane Street, Kahului, 870 Haliimaile Rd. Makawao, 4900 L. Honoapiilani Hwy, Honolua Baseyard

Items for auction: Pineapple Processing & Cannery, Agriculture Equipment, Power Plant Generators, Trucks & Trailers, Facility Equipment, Machine Shop, Lab & R&D Equipment, Distribution Warehouse.

Auction information at www.greatamerican.com or 818-884-3747 ext. 1330