Final Report for the PESP, U.S. EPA Region 9, Strategic Agriculture Initiative Program

January 19, 2006

PRINICPAL INVESTIGATOR:

Bob Elliott

Associate Environmental Research Scientist

Department of Pesticide Regulation

EMAIL: belliott@cdpr.ca.gov

ASSISTANCE ID NUMBER:  Grant ID #: PE-97980201-0

PROJECT TITLE:

"Almond Pest Management: Alternatives to Dormant Organophosphate and Pyrethroid Sprays"

PROJECT PERIOD:  10/01/2003 – 10/31/2005

GRANT RECIPIENT:

Department of Pesticide Regulation
1001 I Street

Sacramento, CA 95812

www.cdpr.ca.gov

GRANT AMOUNT:  $40,000

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Since the early 1980s, California almond growers have commonly used organophosphate pesticides (OPs) in the dormant season to control several key pests.  Dormant OPs were recommended as an effective control for over wintering pests that were considered safer to  human health and the environment, and much less disruptive to beneficial insects than in-season sprays.  More recently, dormant OP use has raised concerns in California due to their appearance in surface water.  Concentrations of OPs in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds have been detected at levels high enough to be toxic to some aquatic organisms.  Pesticide Use Report (PUR) data shows that growers have responded to these concerns by using pyrethroids[1] as a replacement for OPs.  There is a concern over the use of pyrethroids due to their potential for off-site movement.  As a result the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) proposes to add restrictions to most dormant season pesticide applications.  To further protect water quality the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has adopted regulations requiring growers to monitor their irrigation runoff and take steps to prevent runoff as a source of water pollution in California.  In addition, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) established a conditional waiver program that ended a voluntary approach to reducing runoff from agricultural operations requiring growers to adopt new approaches to control runoff into creeks, drains and canals.

The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Project (PESP) came at an opportune time.  The project was used as a vehicle to disseminate information to almond growers about reduced risk alternatives and how these alternative practices could provide relief from proposed dormant spray regulations, as well as help reduce pollutant loads into waterways.  DPR staff contributed to the project by using the PUR database to characterize OP and pyrethroid pesticide use, by watershed, and identified feasible reduced-risk alternatives that could minimize potential for surface water problems.  The PESP project provided DPR with an opportunity to partner with the California Almond Board in a comprehensive summary of the Almond Pest Management Alliance (PMA)[2].  The Almond PMA is dedicated to demonstration of environmentally responsible pest management practices to manage economic pests in almonds.  The PESP project was designed to build on the success of the PMA and provided funding to publish what was learned in a seasonal decision guide.  The guide is filled with information to help almond growers make environmentally responsible pest management decisions year-round without decreasing their yields or increasing reject levels.  Along with DPR, project partners included the California Almond Board, the University of California, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, Kings River Conservation District and the Butte County Department of Agriculture.

There were no particular problems associated with the project. DPR staff time was used as leverage to conduct PUR analysis.

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the PESP Project was to partner with California Almond Board to promote environmentally responsible pest management practices and to help growers understand their current pest management practices in relation to proposed dormant spray regulations and environmental goals to protect surface water.  The following project objectives were established:

1.      Assist almond growers, through outreach, in understanding the requirements of proposed dormant spray regulations and the environmental goals of the Ag Waiver requirements.
Based on momentum built by the PMA, the PESP project plan was to conduct grower meetings arranged by UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors. Information would be provided to update growers on regulatory requirements and answer questions.

2.      Use DPR’s Pesticide Use Report (PUR) database to determine pesticide use in certain watersheds and to identify feasible reduced-risk alternatives that minimize potential for surface water problems. The PUR contains information on nearly all production agricultural use in California since 1990.  Data are collected for each application and includes information such as the pesticide product, amount applied, the area treated, the grower’s identification code, the date of application, the specific field treated, and the application location to a square-mile section.  Because the database contains grower and field identifications, we can examine not only pounds of pesticide used or area treated, but also the number of growers or number of fields that use different practices.  Based on what growers used, we determine the low to high use variations among growers and then identify feasible reduced use alternatives for environmentally friendly pest management.  The project also plans to examine the spatial variations of the crop and pesticide use distributions and identify watersheds that may need further attention in outreach activities.

 

3.      Publish a resource guide of effective reduced-risk practices demonstrated by the Almond PMA. The guide will be distributed to all almond growers and showcased at workshops and hands-on field days. Over the last six years the PMA has successfully demonstrated alternative practices, providing growers and pest control advisors (PCAs) with information to help them make environmentally responsible pest management decisions year-round without decreasing yields or increasing reject levels. The goal is to take what has been learned from the PMA and use the techniques to help solve surface water problems. Through the guide, experiences and knowledge can be widely shared with growers, PCAs and the larger farm community.

COLLABORATOR LIST

MATCHING FUNDS

California Department of Pesticide Regulation contributed staff time to conduct the project at an estimated amount of approximately $35,000.00.

EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL USE OF NRCS COST-SHARE FUNDS FOR IPM 

N/A

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

OUTCOMES

Feedback from almond growers indicates that outreach activities have been effective in disseminating project results to the farm community.  Eight outreach events were held, including workshops, demonstrations and field days, attracting over 850 attendees.  The PUR analysis revealed that growers have been reducing dormant use of toxic chemicals, especially OPs such as diazinon and chlorpyrifos.  Although there are variations of pesticide use among regions in California, the overall trend is a decline in use for all regions.  Variations in use between regions were due mainly to differences in climate, pest pressures, topographical features, and the preference of pesticide selections, as well as the different views between PCAs.  GIS mapping of dormant use showed that higher amounts of OPs were used in the San Joaquin Valley.  OP use was close to the river systems except in the southern San Joaquin region (Kings, Tulare and Kern counties).  Further analysis showed that stream length per area was an important factor while the slope was not as important when predicting potential OP runoff into streams.  In most watersheds the average lbs per acre planted of both dormant and in season pesticides in 1997-1998 was less than the average lbs per acre planted in 2003-2004.

The published seasonal guide summarized the experiences from the almond PMA, and was widely distributed.  Copies were mailed to 6000 almond growers statewide and distributed at the Almond Board’s annual winter conference. Copies were also sent to County Agricultural Commissioners for distribution to almond growers in their counties. The guide has proven to be popular with growers. We believe growers are using the guide as a tool for decision making further contributing to an environmentally responsible approach to pest management.

Outreach activities to address objective #1

Various media were used to disseminate information about the project. These included grower meetings and field days, scientific conferences, and grower-to-grower conversations.

In February 2004, we presented ‘Assessing dormant organophosphate and pyrethroid sprays in almond orchards’ at the California Plant and Soil Conference, Modesto California (See Appendix A).  The presentation was well received by field practitioners and conference attendees from California.  Consequently, we held six dormant spray workshops in November, December and January of 2004 and 2005.  These workshops were held in three almond growing regions (i.e., Butte, Stanislaus and Kern counties).  Close to 740 growers and PCAs attended the workshops to hear about environmentally friendly pest management (Photos A & B).  Information was also provided covering DPR’s proposed dormant spray regulations, CVRWQCB’s conditional waiver of waste discharge requirements, and on the formation of Ag waiver coalition groups.  In spring of 2004, another 125 attended one of two field days in Butte and Kern counties to learn how to identify key pests in almonds, to use the seasonal guide “hands-on” and to view, under field use conditions, new Smart Spray® application technology (Photos C & D).

Photos: A. More than 200 almond growers gathered at a workshop in Modesto to hear about environmentally friendly pest management guidelines. B. A grower at the workshop reviews the Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds publication. C. Insect identification - growers are learning about new and old insect pests in almonds at Kern County field day. D. Field demonstration of new Smart Sprayer technology.

Considerable effort has gone into developing a reduced risk pest management program for almonds.  As a result, reduced risk practices were identified for inclusion in DPRs proposed dormant spray regulations.  These practices include dormant application with oil alone using no other insecticide, treatment with spinosad, or treatment with a biocontrol agent such as Bacillus species.  Growers using one of these practices are exempt from further restriction under the proposed regulations.  Industry can petition DPR at any time to consider additional exemptions for reduced risk practices.  The PESP project was an important factor in enhancing the Almond Board’s ability to keep growers informed about the proposed dormant spray regulations as well as providing growers and PCAs with the results of the PMA Project.

The Ag waiver regulations require growers to adopt new practices to control orchard runoff to creeks, drains and canals. Information was provided at the workshops that answered many of the questions being asked by growers about their responsibilities under the Ag Waiver. The information not only provided them with a better understanding of their responsibilities but also provided information about coalition groups beginning to form that would help them meet those responsibilities.  The long-term goal of the CVRWQCB is to encourage growers to take actions that will change practices to reduce run-off from irrigated lands.  The “Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds” (See Appendix B), published as part of the PESP project, summarizes reduced risk practices demonstrated in the PMA and is a valuable tool growers can use to help meet the intent of the Ag waiver as well as overall water quality goals.

PUR analysis, objective #2

Dormant OP use in almonds as measured by pounds per acre planted has decreased by 85% over the ten years from 1993 to 2003 (Figure 1).

Figure 1.  Dormant OP use in almonds as measured by pounds per acre planted from 1993 to 2003.

Due to climatic and pest pressure differences, we analyzed use in 4 different regions.  These regions were the Sacramento Valley (all the counties within the Valley, abbreviated SAC), Northern San Joaquin Valley (San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced counties, abbreviated NSJV), Central San Joaquin Valley (Madera and Fresno counties, abbreviated CSJV), and Southern San Joaquin Valley (Kings, Tulare and Kern counties, abbreviated SSJV).

Dormant OP use declined in each of the four regions (Figure 2).  The use intensity, lbs per acre planted, of dormant and in-season OPs was higher in the southern and central San Joaquin Valley than it was in the northern San Joaquin and the Sacramento Valley.  Dormant OP use declined more than in-season OP use.  Dormant pyrethroid use, on the other hand, fluctuated from year to year.  Pyrethroid use intensity was generally lower in the Sacramento Valley, and dormant pyrethroid use was generally higher in the central San Joaquin Valley than the other regions.  In season pyrethroid use did not change much in the last ten years among regions.

Figure 2.  Use intensity (lbs per acre planted) of organophosphate and pyrethroids in the four almond growing regions

The number of almond growers using dormant OPs has declined (Figure 3), and the number of growers using no dormant OPs has increased.  Among growers who applied OP, there were fewer high use growers than low or medium use growers.  The trends of use over time were similar in the four regions. 

Figure 3. The number of California almond growers using dormant OPs each year from 1993 to 2003 (represented by the bars) and the number of growers who did not use dormant OPs (represented by the line).  The number of dormant OP users are separated into 3 groups: 1) low users defined as growers whose use of dormant OPs in pounds per acre planted was less than half of the state median pounds per acre planted in 2003 (1.497 lbs per acre planted); 2) high users defined as growers whose use was greater than 150% of the state median; 3) medium users as all other growers.

Dormant pyrethroid use, on other hand, followed a different use pattern.  In the Sacramento Valley and the Northern San Joaquin Valley, the number of dormant pyrethroid growers fluctuated over time (Figure 4).  The high use growers were the majority in most years in the Northern and Southern San Joaquin Valley.  The higher percent of growers belonged to the low to moderate use categories in the Central San Joaquin Valley than the Southern San Joaquin Valley.  However, the number of dormant pyrethroid users increased in the central and southern San Joaquin Valley in the last ten years (Figure 4).

Figure 4. The number of California almond growers using dormant pyrethroids each year from 1993 to 2003 (represented by the bars) and the number of growers who did not use dormant pyrethroids (represented by the line).  The number of dormant pyrethroid users are separated into 3 groups: 1) low users defined as growers whose use of dormant pyrethroids in pounds per acre planted was less than half of the state median pounds per acre planted in 2003; 2) high users defined as growers whose use was greater than 150% of the state median; 3) medium users as all other growers. 

Figure 5a shows the spatial distribution of dormant OP use in 2003, when most of the use occurred in the San Joaquin Valley.  There were no obvious patterns in the use amount in the three San Joaquin Valley regions except that the use in Northern San Joaquin Valley was much closer to the river systems than the other two regions in the San Joaquin Valley.  Most of the dormant OP use in the Sacramento Valley in 2003 occurred in Glenn County.  Figure 5b shows in-season OP use, when most of the use was found in the Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley.  In the Sacramento Valley, most in-season OP use was in Glenn and Butte counties (Figure 5b).  The use in Northern San Joaquin Valley was much smaller than the use in the Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley regions.  Highest amount of use per section was within these two regions (Figure 5b).  The in-season OP use was much higher than the use in the dormant (Figure 5a,b).

Figure 5. Spatial distributions of (a) OP dormant use and (b) OP in-season use in 2003.

Figure 6 shows dormant and in-season pyrethroid spatial use patterns in 2003.  In the dormant season, pyrethroids are used throughout the San Joaquin Valley but with very few applications in the Sacramento Valley.  However, in-season pyrethroids were used mostly in the northern and central San Joaquin Valley with some applications in the Sacramento Valley.  Very little pyrethroids were used in the southern San Joaquin Valley during the growing season in 2003 (Figure 6).  The use of pyrethroids was much higher in the dormant season than in the growing season.  This may show the replacement of OP and pyrethroid applications in both seasons.

Figure 7 shows changes in OP use by watershed.  The darker red color represents an increase, and the lighter yellow color represents a decrease in OP use based on the average pounds per acre planted in 1997-1998 and the average in 2003-2004.  In most watersheds both dormant and in-season OP use decreased.  Watersheds with higher reduction of use in these two time periods were mostly located on the west side of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers.  In the Colusa basin both dormant (18%) and in-season (10%) OP use increased.  Also there were a few more watersheds in the valley with an increased use of OP, but the use intensity, lbs per acre planted, was rather small.

In the central valley, the average dormant OP use in pounds per acre planted decreased by 25.5% from 1997-1998 to 2003-2004 and the in-season OP use decreased by 4.5% (Tables 1 and 2).  The central valley watersheds showed decreased use except Colusa basin.  Detailed percent of reduction is listed in Tables 1 and 2.

Figure 6. Spatial distribution of pyrethroid dormant and in-season use in 2003.

Figure 7. Differences in average OP dormant use (pounds per acre planted) from 1997-1998 to 2003-2004

Table 1. Average dormant season OP use in 1997-1998 and 2003-2004.

Table 2. Average in-season OP use in 1997-1998 and 2003-2004.

Figure 8.  Use of reduced risk insecticides in almonds as alternatives to dormant OPs.  Use is measured by pounds per acre planted from 1993 to 2003.

Growers increased their use of several low risk alternatives to dormant OPs (Figure 8).  We do not have good data on the adoption of several non-chemical alternatives; however, from the PUR we can look at adoption of the low risk pesticides, such as oils (used alone with no other pesticide), Bt, tebufenozide, spinosad, and pyriproxyfen.  Use of all of these increased from 2002 to 2003, however, use of Bt and spinosad has decreased in the last few years from high uses in the late 1990’s.   The use of oils alone, pyriproxyfen, and tebufenozide increased dramatically from 2000 to 2003.  In 2003 in terms of acres treated, oils alone and pyriproxyfen were the most used reduced risk insecticides and spinosad the least used.

Factors affecting use trends include previous-season nut damage, use of other pesticides, including available reduced risk materials, or zero pesticide use.  Although we cannot quantitatively understand the impact of each factor on growers’ pest management decisions, we are certain that growers try to integrate all the possible factors affecting pests and productivity to decide whether or not to apply pesticides.

To further help understand why or how growers make pest management decisions DPR commissioned a study titled “A General Methodology for Evaluating the Determinants of Pest Control Decisions” (See Appendix C).  The study was contracted to UC Agricultural Economists Dr. Racheal E. Goodhue and Dr. Karen Klonsky.  The study concluded that growers are more likely to use OPs in years where the number of harvest rejects were high the previous year.  They are also more likely to treat when previous year’s almond price was high. Over time, growers were less likely to choose to use OPs.  Growers in the southern almond growing areas were more likely to use OPs and growers in the central area were less likely to use OPs.  In addition, growers were less likely to use OPs when the Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS)[3] program was in effect, with some program influence remaining after the program period.  When growers chose to use OPs, the acreage to which OPs were applied was largely a function of orchard size, the region and time, and was not influenced by the BIOS program or economic variables.  Application rate of OPs tended to increase with time and with previous years almond price and reject level.  Also, application rate was higher in the southern regions than in the central and northern areas. Rate decreased with orchard size and the presence of the BIOS program.  Other factors that affect pesticide use trends include pesticide prices, pest pressure, weather, and grower perceptions.

The results generated from these PUR analyses were used to assist in outreach activities, to promote practices that would address dormant spray and Ag waiver regulations, and to provide information for publication of a grower resource guide.  Growers and farm advisors have responded to the analysis results favorably.

Seasonal guide development, objective #3: 

Publication of the Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds was the key project deliverable. The guide summarizes reduced risk practices demonstrated in the PMA and is a valuable tool for growers to use for meeting the intent of the Ag waiver as well as overall Water Board goals. The publication was widely distributed to growers for their use in making pest management decisions in the field.  Copies of the seasonal guide were mailed to all 6,000 almond growers in the state and distributed at the Almond Board’s annual winter conference.  Close to 740 growers and PCAs attended one in a series of dormant spray workshops held in Kern, Butte and Stanislaus counties to highlight the guide. Another 125 attended one of two spring field days to learn how to identify key pests and “hands-on” how to use the guide. Additional copies of the guide were made available to County Agricultural Commissioners in almond growing counties for distribution to their growers. 

DIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES

1. Reduction in of pounds of OP and pyrethroid pesticide used, per acre planted.

SURROGATE ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES

1. Over 850 growers and PCAs participated in workshops and grower meetings.
2. Approximately 1400 acres (i.e. acres of almonds farmed by participating growers) were treated with reduced risk materials or with reduced rate of pesticides.
3. An estimated 150,000 acres have been impacted by the project.
4. Approximately 10,000 copies of the seasonal guide publication have been distributed to growers.

WERE THE PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES MET?

Yes, the project goals and objectives were met.

In summary, the goal was to promote environmentally responsible pest management practices and to help almond growers understand regulations to protect surface water and their responsibilities. The objectives were to provide information to growers through outreach, use the PUR database to determine pesticide use in certain watersheds and identify feasible reduced risk alternatives, and to publish a resource guide of effective reduced risk practices demonstrated by the PMA.

Feedback indicates that outreach activities have been effective in providing information and in disseminating project results to the farm community.  Eight outreach events attracted over 850 attendees. PUR analysis revealed that growers are reducing dormant use of OPs. Although there are variations of pesticide use among regions in California, the overall trend is a decline in use for all regions. Consequently, data shows that use of low risk alternatives to dormant OPs has increased. In most of the watersheds analyzed both dormant and in-season OP use has decreased. The published seasonal guide summarizes reduced risk practices demonstrated in the PMA and has become a valuable tool for growers. Over 10,000 copies have been distributed statewide. We believe growers are using the guide as a tool for decision making further contributing to an environmentally responsible approach to pest management.

DID YOU USE THE SAI TOOLBOX TRANSITION GRADIENT TO DETERMINE SUCCESS

N/A

IN YOUR OPINION, DID THIS PROJECT TURN OUT TO BE WORTHWILE

Yes, the project was an important factor in enhancing the Almond Board’s ability to keep growers informed about the proposed dormant spray regulations as well as providing growers and PCAs with the results of the PMA Project. The Seasonal Guide publication would not have been possible without the partnership funding provided by the PESP Project. Publication of the Guide had been discussed for several years but it was the PESP funding which made it a reality. The Seasonal Guide was handed out at grower meetings in Butte, Stanislaus and Kern counties, as well as mailed to growers throughout the state and handed out at the Board’s annual conference. The guide has been cited by growers as a handy reference for “real world” decision making in the field.

WHAT PRACTICES WERE ADOPTED/WHAT CHANGED ON THE GROUND AS A RESULT OF THE PROJECT

Growers are more comfortable knowing a reduced risk program can be used to effectively control key pests in almonds without increasing harvest rejects or decreasing yields.

SUCCESSFUL PRACTICES THAT COULD BE MORE BROADLY IMPEMENTED

The following practices can be used in all growing regions:

·        Year-round monitoring (i.e., scouting for pests and beneficials)

• Insecticide treatment during the dormant season based on fall monitoring and previous history.
• Winter sanitation to control navel orangeworm (NOW)
• Dormant application with oil alone to control San Jose Scale, other scales and mite species that overwinter in the orchard as eggs.
• In-season spray at bloom with reduced-risk pesticides such as spinosad, or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to control peach twig borer (PTB).

·        In-season spray in May with reduced-risk pesticides such as spinosad, tebufenozide, or Bt to control PTB and NOW.

HOW MANY ACRES WERE IMPACTED BY THIS PROJECT

Based on acreage farmed by participating growers and attendance at outreach events an estimated 150,000 acres were impacted by the project.     

HOW MANY MORE ACRES DO YOU THINK COULD BE IMPACTED IN THE LONG TERM

When you consider the lessons learned over the course of the PMA, the availability of the seasonal guide, then factor in the increase in almond acreage, it’s not unreasonable to expect an additional 150,000 acres to be impacted. In addition to the almond acreage, more acreage of permanent crops will be impacted when you consider publication, in June 2006, of a seasonal guide for stone fruit growers.

HOW MANY GROWERS INDICATE THEY WILL CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOR AS A RESULT OF THIS PROJECT

The number of growers that will change their behavior as a result of the project is difficult to quantify. We could easily estimate that, over time, approximately 20 to 25% of the 6,000 growers in California would change their practices as a result of the project.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

The media impacted by the project were surface water and air.

CROPS

Almonds.

PESTS

The pests impacted by the project are San Jose scale, navel orangeworm (NOW), peach twig borer (PTB), European red, brown almond mites, webspinning mites, and ants (i.e., southern fire ant and black pavement ant).

PESTICIDES TRANSITIONED FROM

Diazinon, chlorpyrifos, azinphos methyl, esfenvalerate, and permethrin

PESTICIDES TRANSITIONED TO

Narrow-range oils, spinosad (Success®), Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), tebufenozide (Confirm® and Intrepid®) and pyriproxyfen (Distance® and Seize®)

ALTERNATE PRODUCTS OR PRACTICES USED

Alternate products used include narrow-range oils, spinosad (Success®), Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), tebufenozide (Confirm® and Intrepid®) and pyriproxyfen (Distance® and Seize®). Alternate practices include winter sanitation including removal and destruction of over wintering nuts (mummies) that harbor NOW larvae.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

New Smart-Spray® application equipment was demonstrated for growers and PCAs. Smart Spray technology uses waterproof ultrasonic sensors linked to an on-board computer and tractor-mounted controller to seek and target trees that need spraying. Use of the equipment cuts down on the amount of pesticide necessary which is safer for the operator and the environment.

IF BIOPESTICIDES/REDUCED RISK ALTERNATIVES WERE USED, WERE THEY EFFICACIOUS?

Yes, growers realize now that they do not have to routinely use a dormant insecticide to control key pests. Application of oil alone or no dormant spray, in combination with an in-season spray using a reduced risk product provides effective control of San Jose scale and PTB. Winter sanitation can also be used as an effective control method for NOW.

WORKER SAFETY ISSUES

The use of biopesticides, reduced risk alternatives, or new technologies would help to improve worker safety.  For example, chlorpyrifos (Lorsban®) is commonly used in-season at hull split to control NOW. Use of winter sanitation reduces the need to apply an in-season spray, reducing the risk to workers and the environment.

ENDANGERED SPECIES ISSUES (if applicable):

N/A

OUTREACH / OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

The project outcome was implemented through a series of workshops, seminars and field days. These events attracted over 850 growers and PCAs. The events were publicized in UC Cooperative Extension newsletters for Butte, Stanislaus and Kern counties, newsletters published by the Almond Board and in the Western Farm Press publication. The Season Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds publication was mailed to approximately 6000 almond growers in the state. The publication was also distributed at the 2004 and 2005 Almond Board Winter Conference and mailed to County Agricultural Commissioners in almond growing counties for distribution to growers. 

PROJECT WEB ADDRESS (if applicable):

N/A

PARTICIPATING FARMERS

Thomas Vetsch, Nick Bertagna and Merlyn Garber

NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING FARMERS

Three

DO YOU THINK THESE PROJECT RESULTS ARE A SUCCESS STORY THAT SHOULD BE SHARED WITH OTHERS

Yes, the results should be distributed as widely as possible. 

WOULD THIS PROJECT BE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE ON A LARGER SCALE?

Yes, the project is economically viable on a larger scale. Initially, reduced risk pest management materials tended to be more expensive than conventional sprays, such as organophosphates.  However, reducing the number of pest control applications reduced the cost; frequently PMA plots with zero sprays had very little insect damage.  Information from the PMA tells us that average pest management costs for a reduced risk program are now less than a conventional program.

STATUS OF PROJECT

COMPLETION DATE

January 31, 2006

POSSIBLE LONG-TERM OUTCOMES BEYOND PROJECT PERIOD

1.      The project has helped solidify the PMA partnership.

2.      The almond industry will continue to develop more environmentally friendly practices.

3.      With industry support growers will continue their proactive approach towards adoption of environmentally friendly reduced risk practices.

4.      The seasonal guide has been widely accepted by growers as a decision tool.

5.      As more growers become comfortable using the guide acreage under reduced risk practices will increase.

LESSONS LEARNED

Lessons learned from the field:

• Insecticide treatment during the dormant season may not be necessary, based on fall monitoring and previous history.

·        Monitoring (i.e., scouting for pests and beneficials) is the key to success of a reduced-risk program.

• Winter sanitation is the most effective control method for orangeworm (NOW)
• Dormant application with oil alone has been shown to control San Jose scale, other scales and mite species that over-winter in the orchard as eggs.
• In-season sprays with reduced-risk pesticides effectively control peach twig borer (PTB).

Lessons learned overall:

• Partnering with the Almond Board allowed use of the PMA infrastructure.
• UC Farm Advisors played a key role in organizing outreach events and contacting growers.
• Grower are interested in alternatives and willing to participate in demonstrating what works.
• The seasonal guide publication has generated a lot of interest and should be a valuable tool for years to come.

OTHER COMMENTS

Appendix A. Poster ‘Assessing dormant organophosphate and pyrethroid sprays in almond orchards’

Appendix B.  “Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds”

Appendix C.  “A General Methodology for Evaluating the Determinants of Pest Control Decisions”