For Immediate Release: Feb. 5, 2001

Contact: Mark Looker (209) 604-9709 mllooker@ainet.com

Almond Pest Management Alliance awarded fourth year of funding for reduced pesticide risk project

Modesto - - The Almond Pest Management Alliance (PMA), a partnership of almond industry groups united in the goal of finding innovative approaches to reducing pesticide risks, has been awarded a fourth year of funding from the state Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).

The $100,000 grant was awarded Feb. 1. The Alliance is composed of the Almond Board of California, the Almond Hullers and Processor Association, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project and local UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors.

The Alliance project is designed to promote a reduced risk system of almond production through the use of alternative products, actual on-site demonstrations and grower education. Three regional sites have been established in Butte, Stanislaus and Kern counties to allow for comparison of various orchard growing conditions and disease and pest pressures. Local UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors work with cooperating growers in comparing current grower practices and alternative approaches.

"The project has been successful in educating the almond industry about reduced input programs," said Chris Heintz, Almond Board of California Research Director. "By pooling our resources, we have succeeded in reaching a wide array of growers and pest control advisors at the grassroots level who are key to understanding the issues and finding workable solutions."

The project is now in the middle of its third year. Important observations to date include:

• Monitoring for pests and predators is critical in a successful reduced input program. Monitoring requires a time commitment by the grower and his pest control advisor.
• The three reduced input plots thus far show no increased signs of the major pests for almonds - Navel Orangeworm, Peach Twig Borer and San Jose Scale.
• Growers implementing reduced input programs need to keep watch for secondary pests. Broad-spectrum sprays have held down populations of some of the lesser-known pests such as Oriental fruit moth and European fruit lecanium.
• Economic analysis is critical to future grower adoption of reduced input practices. Economic data is an important element of the project and is reflected in information given to the industry.

"A fourth year of funding allows this innovative and progressive project to continue to gather vital data about reduced risk scenarios," noted Heintz. "The base of knowledge being built will be of great use to almond growers in the future."

Educational efforts include field days where researchers review their work and share results with growers and pest control advisors. Information is also disseminated through newsletters and a website located on the Board’s website www.almondboard.com

The project, which is overseen by an advisory management team of almond industry experts, runs through July 31, 2002.

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