Butte County almond acreage has remained relatively stable
over the past eleven years. This
trend is seen in Figure 2.6. The
information regarding harvested acreage was accessed via the World Wide Web at
the California Agricultural Statistical Service (CASS). All pesticide use information was accessed via the World Wide
Web on www.ipm.ucdavis.edu
and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, www.cdpr.gov.
Organophosphate use in Butte
County compared to almond acreage in Butte County is noted in Figure 2.7 below.
There has been substantial proactive drive to limit the amount of
organophosphates in Butte County and the Figure 2.7 reflects this marked
decrease in the use of OP’s. Organophosphates
used in this calculation are azinphos-methyl, diazinon, chlorpyrifos,
methidathion, parathion, naled, phosmidion, and phosmet.
Pyrethroid use in Butte County shows a steep decline since
the peak usage in 1997. The trend
of pyrethroid use is noted in Figure 2.8. Pyrethroids
compiled for this report were esfenvalerate, permethrin, and pyrethrin.
Carbamate use in Butte County from 1990-2000 is noted in Figure 2.9.
Carbamates compiled for this chart were carbaryl and methomyl.
In 2000, zero pounds of carbamates were applied in Butte County!
For this report all strains of Baccilus thuringiensis (Bt) were used.
The amount of pounds per acre applied to almonds in Butte County are
noted in Figure 2.10. In 1990 and 1991, virtually no Bt was applied to Butte County
almonds, however, in 1998, over 1,500 pounds were applied which shows an
increase in use from 1992 to 1998, but usage has declined since 1998.
