Pest Management Meetings set for Sacramento Valley almond growers

(Chico, CA) - - Sacramento Valley almond growers are invited to attend two field days designed to highlight ongoing research work into a reduced risk system of almond production.

The meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Spilman Orchard, Live Oak, and Friday, Nov. 17, at Westermann Farms, Hamilton City. The field days are co-sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the almond Pest Management Alliance (PMA.) 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 meetings, which runs from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, feature sessions on:

• "Cutting costs in almonds" by farm advisors John Edstrom and Bill Kruger.
• "Monitoring and demonstrations to determine dormant spray decisions" by Carolyn Pickel, John Edstrom, Nicole Darby, Bill Kruger, Rick Buchner and Joe Connell of UC Cooperative Extension.

Growers are asked to cut 100 spurs samples from their block and bring them to the meeting so farm advisors can evaluate their dormant pest levels for mites and San Jose Scales.

Two hours of PCA continuing education credit have been requested.

The Spilman orchard is located at 9600 North Butte Road, in Live Oak, near Sutter Buttes.

Westermann farms is located on the north side of Hwy. 32 in Hamilton City.

The Butte County PMA project is one of three projects funded by the grant. The other demonstration orchards are located in Stanislaus and Kern 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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