May/June 2024 - 11

BIOLOGICALS
thrips) almonds and citrus (citrus
thrips, red scale).
Donohue said the California trials
are expected to kick off in the second
half of the year.
" The goal is to be testing
continuously in a 'live' commercial
setting so products can be
evaluated in a real-world situation, "
Donohue said.
Companies chosen for the
first field trials are AgroSpheres,
Bayer, Boost Biomes, Impello Bio,
Lallemand, ProFarm Group, Summit
Agro and Vestaron.
" We are primarily working with
products that have some trial data,
registration progress and some
funding, " Donohue said. " The goal is
acceleration through intentional and
strategic focus. "
Field trials in other countries
are expected in 2023; Donohue
said domestic trials should work
out any issues before the program
expands internationally.
The plan is to announce new cohorts
of product companies to participate
in field trials every two years.
" This is a multi-year initiative to
provide focus around key challenges
and opportunities for the coming
decade, " Donohue said.
Global reach
Donohue said research in other
countries is key.
" The global aspect is designed to
also create scale possibilities for
the purposes of helping drive better
cost opportunities for growers, "
he said. " The global piece is quite
important for the purposes of better
economics and accelerated results
on key problems. "
Platform10's Global Partner
Network details will be announced
at the second annual Salinas
Biological Summit, June 25-26.
Details about applying to participate
in the global trials will be posted on
the Platform10 website, platform10.
ag, and social media channels.
Interested companies can learn more
by sending an email to platform10@
salinas-summit.com.
Tons of Fun
105 Days Hybrid Large Carving Pumpkin
Gowan Seed Exclusive! 25-30 lbs. round fruit
with medium ribbing. An amazing variety that is
uniform in large size, shape, and dark orange
color. Handles are long and thick and maintain a
dark green color for attraction and durability.
Galaxy
75 Days Hybrid Acorn Winter Squash
Gowan Seed Exclusive! Developed to have reduced
ground spot with exceptional dark green color that
holds longer in storage than similar varieties. Its
compact unique upright plant type and high yields
have made Galaxy a standout
variety. IR: Px.
Large Pumpkin Pileup
95-105 Days Stacking Pumpkin Mix
Elevate your fall display with this colorful
blend of larger stacking pumpkins, ranging
from 15-25 lbs. Includes white, red, blue, pink,
and orange pumpkins. Ensures an eye-catching
presentation for your retail farm market!
Less chemistry,
more biology
Donohue said that " getting growers
in the room " is an important focus
of the biological summit. Research
without spreading the word doesn't
advance the science to adoption
among specialty crop growers.
That's why field trials, in connection
with education at the summit and
other channels, are important.
" Growers are more open to
biologicals, but do have concerns
about inconsistent results, " Donohue
said. " But they certainly understand
that we are heading towards a
change in the (integrated pest
management) 'pie chart' of less
chemistry and more biology.
" We think grower-led innovation
is a key. Growers listen to other
growers, so the commercial setting
is critical. "
Grow with Confidence, Grow with Gowan!
Small Pumpkin Pileup
90-100 Days Stacking Pumpkin Mix
A charming assortment of smaller stacking
pumpkins, ranging from 5 to 10 lbs. Includes
blue, green, pink, red-orange, and white
pumpkins. Perfect for creating an enchanting
and diverse farm market display!
Request a catalog or place an order: 800-318-5942
VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM | 11
sales@gowanseed.com
gowanseed.com
http://www.gowanseed.com http://www.VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM
May/June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2024
