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Article: Natural Predator Helps Florida Ranchers Control Destructive Crickets.
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
- Article date:
- January 18, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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By John Lawhorne, The Sun, Port Charlotte, Fla. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Oct. 18--HARDEE COUNTY, Fla.--For ranchers struggling to keep beef production costs under control, the mole cricket can present a formidable pest.
The mole cricket chews its way through pasture grass roots and can turn a healthy pasture into a patchwork of devastated areas that support little but unwanted weeds and bare patches of soil. Loss of pasture translates into declines in production and corresponding declines in ranch income. But ranching is not the only business mole crickets can hurt. Golf courses also can fall victim to the pests.
However, ...