Bradford, Ontario, Canada, might soon be home to the world’s tallest carrot statue. The city has approved plans to build a 39-foot-tall carrot-shaped statue to commemorate 100 years of carrot production in the Holland Marsh area. That would tower over the “Big Carrot” – a 24.5-foot-tall carrot statue in Ohakune, New Zealand, currently listed as the world’s tallest.
Preliminary design plans for the Canadian carrot statue call for a carrot constructed of steel with a copper top so that, with time, the statue will mostly take on an orange tint and the top will turn green, just like a carrot.
F7738 was among the most cavity spot-resistant entries evaluated in a collection of 65 carrot breeding populations and inbreds tested in field trials in 2020 at both the Ontario Crops Research Center-Bradford, Canada, which is naturally infested with Pythium spp., as well as in a field inoculated with Pythium sulcatum and Pythium violae in Mount Vernon, Washington. In 2021-2024, F7738 was re-evaluated at the Ontario and Washington research stations, as well as in a field inoculated with Pythium species in Kern County, California, where it again consistently demonstrated a low incidence of cavity spot.
F7738 is a genetically broad-based “flavor select” carrot population derived from ~50 open-pollinated, orange, U.S. and European cultivars that were intercrossed and selected for mild, sweet flavor, smooth roots, and uniform orange external and internal color. It was included among selections evaluated in the USDA-NIFA-OREI-funded Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture project, where it has been included in participatory trials at multiple U.S. locations and found by collaborating growers to be reliably productive with mild and sweet flavor.
F7738 is a fresh market “cello” type with 19-23 cm long roots 3-3.5 cm in diameter at mid-root in University of California Desert Research and Experiment Center (UC-DREC) trials in Holtville, California. It has an orange exterior and interior, smooth root exterior, cylindrical to slightly conical shape, and mild, sweet flavor, comparable to standard cultivars in trials. Hybrids of F7738 with other USDA inbreds were in the top 12 entries in trials in 2022-2024 based on scores of appearance judged by carrot growers and seed industry personnel at the UC-DREC trials.
Seed of F7738 is available to plant breeders, geneticists, pathologists and other research personnel upon request to philipp.simon@usda.gov.
Line F7738 is a new carrot breeding line available for developing cello hybrids. It has performed well in trials for cavity spot resistance and was selected for its mild, sweet flavor.
“There is no one more qualified than Dr. Carson to advise on policies that improve Americans’ everyday quality of life, from nutrition to healthcare quality to ensuring families have access to safe and stable housing,” said Secretary Rollins. “With six in ten Americans living with at least one chronic disease, and rural communities facing unique challenges with respect to adequate housing, Dr. Carson’s insight and experience is critical. Dr. Carson will be crucial to implementing the rural health investment provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill and advise on America First polices related to nutrition, health, and housing. As the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the first Trump Administration, Dr. Carson worked to expand opportunity and strengthen communities, and we are honored to welcome him to the second Trump Administration to help lead our efforts here at USDA to Make America Healthy Again and ensure rural America continues to prosper.”
“Today, too many Americans are suffering from the effects of poor nutrition. Through common-sense policymaking, we have an opportunity to give our most vulnerable families the tools they need to flourish,” said Dr. Ben Carson. “I am honored to work with Secretary Rollins on these important initiatives to help fulfill President Trump’s vision for a healthier, stronger America.”
As National Advisor for Nutrition, Health, and Housing, Dr. Carson will advise both President Trump and Secretary Rollins on policies related to nutrition, rural healthcare quality, and housing accessibility. He will serve as the Department’s chief voice on these matters, join Secretary Rollins for her work on the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission, and partner closely with leadership in USDA’s Rural Development Mission Area.
For nearly 30 years, Dr. Carson served as Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, a position he assumed at just 33 years old, becoming the youngest major division director in the hospital’s history. In 1987, he successfully performed the first separation of craniopagus twins conjoined at the back of the head. He also performed the first fully successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997 in South Africa.
Dr. Carson has received dozens of honors and awards in recognition of his achievements, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
By Jaspreet Sidhu, University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources
Some non-fumigant nematicides are showing potential to manage root-knot nematodes in carrots, according to research conducted at the University of California. This could be good news as the industry searches for alternative methods to control root-knot nematodes, which pose a major threat in carrot production regions including California.
California is the leading producer of carrots in the United States and produces about 80% of the total U.S. production. Carrots are grown year-round in diverse growing areas in California. The southern San Joaquin Valley has the most concentrated area under carrot production, with Kern County producing almost 60% of the total carrots in California. The nation’s two largest carrot growers and shippers are also located in Kern County. However, the pride of being the “Carrot Capital” in the nation also comes with several challenges for carrot cultivation, and one such challenge is the damage caused by root-knot nematodes.
Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., are the most important plant-parasitic nematodes affecting carrot production in California, especially in light texture soils. The nematodes are widespread in central and southern California. Damage results from feeding of second-stage juveniles inside carrot roots, and the roots respond to nematode invasion by the formation of root galls. Root-knot nematodes can cause substantial damage by stubbing, forking and galling of the roots, thereby reducing marketable yields. Deformed roots due to galls are unable to sustain the water and nutrient needs of the plants, leading to wilting and poor growth of plants. Forked roots also pick up excess soil that increases the tare transported to processing facilities and increases processing costs for additional cleaning efforts.
Table 1. Treatments, rates and application timings in 2022 and 2023 for the nematicide screening in carrots
Nematode Management
Currently, there are no resistant cultivars available for the California carrot industry, and management has mainly relied on the use of pre-plant soil fumigants. Management with these products is expensive and involves safety and environmental risks.
New fumigant regulations by the Department of Pesticide Regulations (DPR) have been put in place to restrict the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the use of soil fumigants. These regulations include limits on the amount of soil fumigants a grower is allowed to use in a year, caps on the amounts allowed within a township, and newly expanded buffer zones, meaning large parts of a field may be left untreated. These new regulations by DPR may mean that there will be some fields not treated for nematodes because of caps placed on the amount a grower is allowed to use or caps on the amount of fumigants allowed in a township.
Rotation with non-host crops can be a viable option, but its utility is often limited due to the wide host range and reproduction potential of the root-knot nematodes.
Therefore, alternative control options that have high efficacy, are economically viable and are environmentally safe need to be evaluated under field situations. In addition, to prevent the possible development of nematode resistance to these new products, it would be imperative to have alternative chemistries available to avoid the development of nematicide resistance. An overreliance on any one nematicide product would likely lead to the loss of that product.
Figure 2. Average root galling on carrot roots in six treatments during the 2022 growing season. Bars with * are significantly different.
Field Trials
Hence, the purpose of research at the University of California was to continue evaluation of recently registered non-fumigant, novel nematicides and screening of potential nematicides for managing root-knot nematodes in carrots.
A promising nematicide, Nimitz (a.i. fluensulfone, ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd.), was registered for use on carrots in California in 2021. Another nematicide, Salibro (a.i fluazaindolizine, Corteva), was recently registered for use on carrots in California. Velum One (a.i. fluopyram, Bayer Crop Science), a broad-spectrum fungicide and nematicide, is registered on several major crops in California but not on carrots. It has promising efficacy against root-knot nematodes in carrots, but its efficacy is sometimes debatable due to its limited motility in the soil. However, field studies have suggested that soil surfactants might improve fluopyram’s efficacy. Nimitz, Salibro and Velum have only “caution” on the label as a signal word. Salibro has high solubility and is highly selective against root-knot nematodes, but continued evaluation is needed. Another developmental nematicide (DP) also showed excellent performance against root-knot nematodes in our 2022 and 2023 trials.
Two randomized complete block field trials were conducted in the summers of 2022 and 2023 at the Kern County Extension Research Station in Shafter, California, where a root-knot nematode site is maintained to ascertain a uniform and moderate to high root-knot nematode population pressure for these studies. In 2022, the trial included four replications and six treatments. Each plot was comprised of two 30-inch-wide beds that were 20 feet in length with a 5-foot buffer between plots along the bed. Carrot seeds cv. Uppercut was seeded (three lines per bed) on June 23, 2022. In 2023, the trial had six replications and eight treatments. Each plot was 30 inches wide and 20 feet in length with a 5-foot buffer between plots along the bed. Carrot seeds cv. Uppercut was seeded (three lines per bed) on June 15, 2023. Rates, timings and methods of application for each treatment are listed in Table 1.
Treatments were applied as a pre-plant or post-plant application (as recommended by the manufacturer) as a soil drench using watering cans, incorporated into the top soil and sprinkler irrigated to move the products down into the soil. The trials were managed following grower standard agronomic practices.
At harvest, carrot roots were evaluated for root galling. For root gall evaluations, about 100 carrots from each plot were randomly sampled and were visually rated for the severity of root galling on a scale of 0-10, as shown in Fig. 1 (0=no galls, 10=completely galled roots). The average galling on these roots was used to give a galling index for each plot. Carrots with a gall rating of 3 or lower were considered marketable. Data on the percent marketable carrots was also recorded. Data on root galling and marketable carrots was analyzed using statistical analysis software.
Figure 3. Percentage of marketable carrots in six treatments during the 2022 growing season. Bars with * are significantly different.
Results
In 2022, significant levels of phytotoxicity, poor germination and loss of plant stand were observed in the plots treated with a higher rate of Nimitz. Moderate to severe galling and root-knot nematode-induced forking and galling were observed in the trial. The severity of root galling was assessed at harvest (Nov. 7, 2022). The treatments DP1 and Salibro had significantly less galling on the roots compared to the untreated control plots (Fig. 2). The treatments Nimitz1 (low rate) and the organic product MB were intermediate in performance and had numerically lower galling than the untreated control and the Nimitz2 (high rate) but were not statistically different. Likewise, the percentage of marketable carrots was significantly higher in the treatments Salibro and DP1 (Fig. 3)
In 2023, loss of plant stand and some phytotoxicity was observed in the plots treated with Nimitz. Again, moderate to severe galling and root-knot nematode-induced forking and galling were observed in the trial. The treatments DP, Velum+Watermaxx (VW) and Salibro had significantly less galling on the roots compared to the untreated control plots (Fig. 4). The two Nimitz treatments were intermediate in performance and had numerically lower galling than the untreated control and the treatments MB1 and FMC. However, there was no difference in the percentage of marketable carrots among treatments.
Figure 4. Average root galling on carrot roots across eight treatments during the 2023 growing season. Bars with * are significantly different.
In these trials, there was some treatment effect on root galling throughout the season, with DP, Salibro and the Velum+Watermaxx treatments having lower root galling index compared to the untreated control and other products. The research trial demonstrates that the application of some of these products under experimental conditions in carrots provided acceptable control of root-knot nematodes compared to the untreated control. Some of these products have the potential to be considered as an alternative, viable and safe option, but further evaluation and optimization are needed to better determine the efficacy of these products as sole treatments and in combination with other products and their continued use by the carrot industry.
Simplot has changed its company name and structure to align with its operating business groups by creating the Simplot Company, a new global parent holding company for all Simplot-affiliated companies. By aligning the overall organizational company structure with its business operations, Simplot can strengthen centralized support and oversight, enabling consistency and scalability across its expanding global footprint in food and agriculture.
Simplot has grown in recent years, expanding its geographic operating footprint, and increasing its workforce around the world. As Simplot continues to evolve within the dynamic food and agriculture industries, this restructure allows the organization to align its diverse business operations with long-term strategic planning objectives.
“We have experienced significant growth in recent years,” said Garrett Lofto, President and CEO of the Simplot Company. “This change allows us to better support our businesses, remain agile and resilient, and ensure we are positioned for sustainable success in a complex international landscape.”
This new structure provides a more efficient framework for managing Simplot’s global footprint and supports long-term planning across all business units. For instance, all of Simplot’s food division operations around the world are now held by Simplot Global Food Holdings, Inc. and Simplot’s food operations in the U.S. operate as Simplot Global Food, LLC. Other operations will operate under new names or companies as well, while the Simplot Company will provide central support and oversight across all areas. This strategic move underscores Simplot’s commitment to building a resilient and future-ready organization, capable of navigating the complexities of a global marketplace while remaining a privately-held Company.
Reinke Manufacturing, announced the commercial release of E3™, the first precision series of center pivot systems, now available to growers in the United States and Canada.
First unveiled in 2024, the patented E3 system is designed to deliver unmatched water application accuracy and performance across diverse field conditions. By ensuring consistent and efficient distribution, E3 provides tremendous value to growers, helping to maximize yield potential while conserving water and reducing operating costs.
“With E3 now available across the U.S. and Canada, growers finally have access to a center pivot system designed from the ground up for precision,” said Chris Roth, president of Reinke. “This is more than a new product—it’s a new standard for how irrigation systems perform in the field, giving growers the control and efficiency they’ve been asking for.”
E3 is now available for purchase through Reinke dealers in the U.S. and Canada, with additional markets to be opened as this advanced system rolls out worldwide. To learn more or to find a dealer near you, visit www.Reinke.com.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is delivering on its commitment to support child health and American agriculture by opening applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants. Through this grant opportunity, USDA will invest up to $18 million in farm to school projects that connect farmers to USDA’s child nutrition programs through local food procurement, agricultural education, school gardens, and more.
New this year, USDA reimagined the Farm to School Grant program, implementing several improvements, including streamlining the application, removing barriers to innovation, and emphasizing partnerships to give small family farms the best chance at success.
“At the MAHA Report announcement, alongside Secretary Kennedy, we announced one of the key actions USDA has already taken to contribute to making our children healthy again – Farm to School Grants. These initiatives are one of the best ways we can deliver nutritious, high-quality meals to children, while also strengthening local agriculture,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “These grants will open new doors for small family farms, expand access to healthy food in schools, and inspire the next generation of Great American Farmers. Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is proud to streamline this program, so it works better for families, farmers, and communities across our nation. Putting America’s Farmers First starts with putting our children first.”
Since the Farm to School Grant program’s inception in 2013, USDA has awarded a total of $100 million to more than 1,200 Farm to School Grant projects across the country. This year’s grants represent the largest total amount USDA has offered in Farm to School Grants in a single year.
Farm to School Grants support projects that:
Incorporate more unprocessed, locally sourced foods into meals served at school, summer sites, and/or by child care providers;
Provide producers training on procurement requirements and food safety standards to protect child health;
Integrate agricultural education into career and technical programs to support the longevity of America’s agricultural legacy;
Encourage increased consumption of fresh, whole fruits and vegetables; and more.
This grant opportunity is open to state and local agencies, Tribes, child nutrition program operators, small- to medium-sized agriculture producers, groups of agricultural producers, and nonprofits. Detailed information about eligibility and application requirements can be found in the request for applications. Applications close on Dec. 5, 2025.
Redox Bio-Nutrients has hired Cora Chandler as the company’s first director of product management. Chandler has been in the agricultural industry for 15 years, including the last seven years carrying out product management with a large nutrition company. Her prior work included collaborating with national supplier leads to secure product and alignment on programs, along with analyzing products and portfolios for profitability and agronomic benefits.
Topcon Agriculture has launched its Value Line Steering option, a new offering aimed at making precision farming accessible for small and medium-sized farming operations. The Value Line Steering system makes advanced auto-steering capabilities compatible with a wider range of tractors and enables older tractors to operate at sub-5 cm accuracy levels previously reserved for new, high-end machinery, according to the company.
Darin Moon, owner, founder and CEO of Redox Bio-Nutrients, was among the honorees at the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences annual Alumni Awards.
Moon was honored with the university’s Distinguished Associate Alumni Award for his contributions to agriculture and the university. The university credited Moon for being committed to research, sustainability, regenerative agriculture, healthy soil and plant health since founding Redox Bio-Nutrients more than 30 years ago.
Based in Burley, Idaho, Redox Bio-Nutrients provides nutrients and bio-stimulant products designed to improve root development, soil health, nutrient efficiency and abiotic stress defense.
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