Proposed almond dormant spray regulations, disease and pest control updates set for Dec. 17 Modesto meeting
(Modesto) -Proposed state regulations for applying pesticides during the winter dormant season, along with updates on the latest pest and disease control measures, will be discussed Wednesday, Dec. 17 at an almond grower meeting in Modesto sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension and the Almond Pest Management Alliance.
The meeting will be held the Stanislaus County Agriculture Center, Cornucopia Way, Modesto. The field day runs from 9 a.m. until noon.
Marshall Lee, senior environmental research scientist from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) will discuss the need for the proposed dormant spray regulations and outline the process for developing the regulations, with the goal of encouraging growers to participate in the public comment process.
A representative from the Central Valley Regional Water Control Board will discuss new state farm runoff regulations. Wayne Zipser, executive manager, Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, will outline local efforts to form a watershed coalition in light of the recently adopted conditional waiver of waste discharge requirements for irrigated land.
Other scheduled topics include:
* "What Have We Learned From Our Five Year Comparison of Almond Pest Management Programs?" by Roger Duncan, UC Cooperative Extension, Stanislaus County, grower Merlyn Garber, and Art Bowman, pest control advisor, Salida Ag Chem.
* Panel discussion: "How Bad Were Rejects This Year? What Was the Cause? What Changes Should We Make in the Future?" Panelists include Rob Kiss, Blue Diamond Growers, and Walt Bentley, entomology advisor, UC Kearney Ag Center.
* "Fall Monitoring To Determine Need for Dormant Sprays" by Walt Bentley, entomology advisor, UC Kearney Ag Center.
Three hours of continuing education credits offered, including one hour of laws and regs. The session is free and open to the public.
The PMA is a cooperative project funded by the Almond Board of California and CDPR 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 sites statewide. The other demonstration orchards are located in Butte 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, University of California Cooperative Extension 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 or mllooker@ainet.com
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