Almond Pest and Disease Management Research Discussion Set for Modesto Field Day May 2

(Modesto) – Effective management strategies utilizing the lessons learned from an ongoing reduced-risk research and demonstration project for almond growers in the central San Joaquin Valley will be discussed Thursday, May 2, at a field day in Modesto sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension and the almond Pest Management Alliance.

The field day will be held in an orchard located on Grayson Road, a quarter mile east of Jennings. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The field day runs from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. 

Topics include:

• “A Three-Year Review Comparing ‘Soft’ vs. ‘Conventional’ Pest Management Programs in Almonds” by Roger Duncan, UCCE Farm Advisor, Stanislaus County.
• “Identification and Management of Silverleaf Disease” by Dr. Jim Adaskaveg, Dept. of Plant Pathology, UC Riverside.
• “Deciding When (and How) to Treat for Mites” by Walt Bentley, IPM Specialist, UC Kearney Ag Center.
• “Identification and Control Strategies for Ants” by Richard Coviello, UCCE Entomologist, Fresno County.

The PMA is a cooperative project funded by a grant from the state Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to study a reduced risk system of almond production through use of alternative products and practices, on-site demonstrations and grower education. The Stanislaus County PMA project is one of three projects funded by the grant. The other demonstration orchards are located in Kern and Butte counties. PMA partners include the Almond Board of California, the Almond Hullers and Processors Association, the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Further information about the PMA project is available from PMA Project Administrator Mark Looker at (209) 575-2094.

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