IPM in California: more success, more interest
California has about 16,000 hectares of straw- berries growing outdoors. Red spider mite is the biggest problem and for many years Phytoseiulus persimilis (Spidex) has been the most important natural enemy of spider mite. The situation came about because of history, says Danny El-Aaidi, technical sales manager and leader of the four-man Koppert team in the Golden State. “We used to work in California with a distributor who gave our other products less attention. Now we’re looking after distribution and marketing ourselves, we see that the growers are also willing to look at other products.” Those are in particular Amblyseius californicus, Orius insidiosus, Amblyseius cucumeris and Aphidius colemani. Phytoseiulus persimilis however still holds the lead over these products. It is still the most important beneficial.
Good reputation
The growing interest in biological crop protection is not only the result of managing distribution themselves. “We also have a lot of technical know-how, pass that on to our clients and we closely follow the results in their companies,” Danny explains. “That increases the chance of being successful. And more success means further interest from more and more growers.” Those growers barely ever use the biological crop control as an argument they can pass on to their clients. “In particular the lower costs of Phytoseiulus persimilis, compared with chemical agents, are the argument. Recently, newly improved chemical agents against red spider mite have come on to the market, but many growers argue that Phytoseiulus gives their crop good protection, so why should they change?” In California, Koppert has a considerable proportion of the biological crop control market, and the company is expanding faster than their competitors. “We have a good reputation,” notes Danny. “That’s because we look at more pests and natural enemies than just spider mites. In a number of companies, we are busy using biological crop protection against thrips, aphids and strawberry mites.”
Collaboration with PCAs
In the market, Koppert collaborates closely with the PCAs. These are independent pest control advisors, notably in the domain of chemical crop protection. They scout the crops for the growers and are more and more frequently issuing instructions that include Koppert products. A substantial proportion of Koppert’s turnover is also down to the PCAs. “Almost without exception they are highly experienced advisors which is why we get along well with them. That’s really important because we could never cover the entire strawberry growing area on our own. The PCAs do that for us, as it were. A real win-win situation.” There are also direct links between Koppert and the production companies in California. Danny El-Aaidi expects the number of these links to gradually grow. “Unlike many PCAs, after a visit to a company we report our findings straight to the owner or the company manager. This is greatly appreciated; they see what’s going well and what’s not going so well and get a better view of the business. They can also compare within seasons as well as between seasons. We are thus building up their know-how and experience. Whether via PCAs or directly, we are working on creating greater success for the growers here.”
More Koppert news
Koppert publishes a digital newsletter especially for firms in the world of practice: the Biojournal online. This newsletter provides users with a great deal of information on matters such as new and existing products, pests and...
Swirski-Mite LD has been specially developed to be used preventatively and was launched to the market at the end of 2011. The bags contain a breeding system that utilizes two different prey mites for the first time. The result is...
The new consumer website www.secretagentsinhorticulture.com created by Koppert Biological Systems offers unique and easily accessible information about biological crop protection and natural pollination.
The Floriade opened in Venlo on a site covering 66 hectares. At this 'theatre of nature,' Koppert Biological Systems will be revealing the great secret of horticulture. The story of biological crop protection and natural...
Recently, the regular packaging for Capsanem (Steinerma carpocapae) was changed and no longer consists of a small bag containing 50 million larvae. The box now contains two small bags each containing 25 million larvae of the...
In a four-minute film, two growers talk about their experiences with the use of the predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus to combat whitefly and thrips. Koppert introduced this new predatory mite in the early part of this year.
Ten years on, the gates of the spectacular theatre of nature are due to open again! Floriade 2012 will take place from 5 April to 7 October in a stunning park in Venlo, the Netherlands. Three different exhibitions will devote...
The palm moth and the red palm weevil are major pests affecting palm trees. When these pests are not controlled effectively the trees will soon wilt. Koppert offers an effective biological solution with the product Palmanem.
Minipol is a compact bumblebee hive specially developed for use in smaller cultivation areas. The Minipol ensures a good balance between the area to be pollinated and the supply of food. Koppert has developed Minipol specifically...
With its new formula, Koppert Biological Systems has produced an even more effective variant of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii. The product is called Swirski-Mite LD (Long Duration). The product is now available.
From now on, Amblydromalus limonicus will be known by the product name Limonica. This name is the result of a promotional action which Koppert launched during the HortiWeek trade fair in November, in which customers and...
Early 2012 Koppert will be participating in several international fairs: IPM Essen, Fruit Logistica and BioFach, where we will present our recent innovations for sustainable crop protection.
The printed version of the Biojournal is now also available to read online.
With the presentation of a cheque worth 1000 euros, Koppert Biological Systems concluded the trade fair campaign for the Heart for the Nations Foundation.
With a new formula and new packaging, the soil-dwelling predatory mite Macrocheles robustulus (Macro-Mite) is now even more effective. Now Koppert Biological Systems can guarantee even better integrated control of soil...
Last week Koppert introduced the new predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus at both the Horti Fair and the IFTF. The predatory mite will be available from 2 January 2012, but as yet no product name has been chosen. Visitors to...
Koppert Biological Systems is raising the biological control of thrips and whitefly to a higher level with the new predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus. The company has devoted over ten years to research in the development of...
With its new formula, Koppert Biological Systems has produced an even more effective variant of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii. The product is called Swirski-Mite LD (Long Duration). After the initial introduction, this...
Koppert Biological Systems has reached an agreement with Bayer CropScience AG to take over the exclusive worldwide rights on the marketing, registration and production of the new product Shemer, a biological fungicidal product...
During the Horti Week in the Netherlands Koppert will be present with a stand at the Horti Fair and IFTF. This year there will be numerous reasons to visit us.
Horti Fair stand 0113 in hall 8
IFTF stand B5.07
Koppert and Horti Week: more than just one stand
During the International Horti Week, Koppert will have stands at both the Horti Fair (08.0113) and the IFTF (B5.07).
Admission tickets are free of charge. If you register to...
Koppert Biological Systems is launching the compact bumblebee hive Minipol this month. The hive is the “little brother” of Natupol and Tripol, and contains a bumblebee colony that offers a better balance with the amount of food...
Natural enemies are the first choice in the biological control of aphids. Now that more and more beneficials are becoming commercially available, it’s not always easy to make the right choice. It’s important to find the right...
Visitors to the Horti Fair who register via the special registration link on the Koppert website will be helping contribute to the implementation of a water project in the Ghanaian capital, Accra. Through this campaign, Koppert...
Syrphidend contains Episyrphys balteatus (marmalade hoverfly) pupae. This hoverfly combats various species of aphids in all stages of the life cycle. If there is a great deal of hyperparasitisation of parasitic wasps, this...
Koppert USA celebrates grand opening Friday, August 26, 2011
Koppert USA celebrated the grand opening of its new facility for production in Howell, Michigan. Koppert USA began its move into the production facility in early...
Since February 2011, Koppert has been supplying the market with the little predatory beetle Delphastus catalinae under the brand name Delphibug. This beetle is proving to be a godsend in situations in which predatory mites and...
Spical-Plus contains the predatory mite Amblyseius californicus. The predatory mites are supplied in slow-release bags allowing predatory mites to crawl out of the bags gradually over a period of approx. 6 weeks. This makes...
The new predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus eats more and reproduces faster than other generalist predatory mites. Koppert will be bringing this mite onto the market at the end of this year. That is particularly good news for...
Koppert B.V. The Netherlands | Phone: +31 (0)10 5140444 | Fax: +31 (0)10 5115203 | Disclaimer