For Immediate Release

Nov. 16, 1999

Contact: Mark Looker (209) 549-8262 x 108

Mllooker@ainet.com

Dormant Pest Management Meeting set for Southern San Joaquin Valley almond growers

(Bakersfield, CA) - - Southern San Joaquin Valley almond growers are invited to attend a Tuesday, Nov. 23 meeting designed to highlight ongoing research work into a reduced risk system of almond production.

The meeting at the University of California Cooperative Extension office, 1031 S. Mt. Vernon Ave., Bakersfield, is 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 meeting, which runs from 8 a.m. until 12 noon, features sessions on:

• "Dormant Sprays – What They Do and Don’t Do For Us" by Walt Bentley, Regional IPM Adviser, Kearney Ag Center
• "Ant Control – Can Ants Be Controlled Without the Use of Organophosphates?" by Rich Coviello, Entomology Farm Advisor, UCCE Fresno County.
• "Mite Management – Can Mites Be Controlled Using a "Soft Program" Approach?" by Walt Bentley.
• "Irrigation Management – Good Irrigation Scheduling a Must in Almond Orchards" by Blake Sanden, Farm Advisor, UCCE Kern County.
• "Evaluation of Irrigation Systems- Your Irrigation System Should Be Operating at Full Efficiency" by Brian Hockett, District Manager, Pond-Shafter-Wasco Resource Conservation District.

• "Weather Forecast, Long Range Forecast and Weather Web Sites" by Dan Gudgel, National Weather Service.
• "Cover Crops- How to Manage a Successful Cover Crop in an Almond Orchard" by Greg Wittenborn, Lockwood Seed and Grain.
• "Disease Control – Can Diseases in Almond Be Managed With Less Fungicide Sprays?" by Mario Viveros, UCCE Farm Advisor, Kern County.

Lunch will be served. Reservations can be made to the UCCE office at (661) 868-6200.

The Kern County PMA project is one of three projects funded by the grant. The other demonstration orchards are located in Stanislaus and Butte 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) 549-8262 ext. 108.

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