For
Immediate Release: May 5, 2003
(Chico)
- Effective management strategies utilizing the lessons learned from an ongoing
reduced-risk research and demonstration project for almond growers in the
northern Sacramento Valley will be discussed Tuesday, May 20, at a field day in
Chico sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension and the
almond Pest Management Alliance.
The
field day will be held in the Bertagna orchard located on Crouch Ave., between
Stevens and Cosby avenues, Chico. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The field day
runs from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Topics
include:
*
"Agricultural Commissioner's Update" by Rob Hill, Butte County
Agricultural Commissioner's office.
*
"2003 Pest Monitoring and Degree Projections" by Sara Smith, PMA Field
Scout, Butte County.
*
"Almond Pest Management Alliance - Four Year Summary" by Carolyn
Pickel, UCCE Area IPM Advisor, Sacramento Valley.
*
"Almond Diseases Seen This Spring" by Joe Connell, Farm Advisor, Butte
County.
*
"Control of Almond Replant Disease" by Dr. Greg Browne, Plant
Pathologist, USDA-ARS, Davis.
Two
hours of PCA credit have been requested.
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 Butte County PMA project is one of three projects funded
by the grant. The other demonstration orchards are located in Kern and
Stanislaus counties. PMA partners include the Almond Board of California, the
Almond Hullers and Processors Association, the University of California
Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program 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.
-30-