Yesterday, CCGGA’s Assistant Vice President of Technical Services, Chris McGlothlin, had the opportunity to meet and talk with USDA Ag Research Service (ARS) Deputy Joon Park, as well as tour the Ag Research Service’s Arid Land Agricultural Research Center (ALARC) in Maricopa, Arizona. Administrator Park and his staff were at the facility to celebrate its 25th year in operation, as well as to meet with stakeholders to hear critical issues facing their respective industry sectors. McGlothlin highlighted the importance of the research being conducted at the facility, as well as the relationship between industry and ARS to help with combating surging pest pressures, threats of disease and overbearing regulation. The ALARC facility is conducting critical research to assist California producers in the fight against the spread of Cotton Seed Bug. Dr. Jim Hepler has been developing an effective field traps for deployment in infested areas, while Dr. Gabe Zilnik has been researching chemical controls to help in the fight of treating impacted areas. Significant progress has been made in both of those areas over the past year in cooperation with CDFA and California industry stakeholders. In attendance of the meeting was National Cotton Council’s Chad Brewer, Arizona Cotton Growers Association Executive Director Jadee Rohner, University of Arizona Dean of the Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences Department, George Smith and several other staff and facility representatives.
