California Ag Network

Category: Pest/Disease Management

  • Josh Harder Brings Stuffed Swamp Rat Back to Congress to Combat Invasion

    Representative Josh Harder (CA-09) demanded answers from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services during a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies with ‘Nellie’, a taxidermied nutria, about their proposed funding cuts for controlling the invasive rodent population. Nutria are an semi-aquatic invasive species from South America that are easily recognized by their “nacho cheese” teeth that they use to chew through vegetation and water management systems. Affectionately nicknamed “swamp rats”, nutria can weigh upwards of 40 pounds, eat a quarter of their body weight every day, and one female nutria can reproduce 200 offspring in a year. While they may look cute to some, they can wreak real havoc on their non-native environment.

    “When I came to Congress, I didn’t think I would be leading the charge to eradicate swamp rats, but this is a real issue, and we have to act quickly before they fully invade our waterways” said Rep. Harder. “I understand they’re not in everyone’s backyard, but they’re in mine. And a lot of folks in my area would rather not have to wake up to these “nacho cheese” teeth every morning.”

    Watch the full video of Harder’s questioning here

    Nutria have caused millions of dollars in damage to wetlands in several states including Maryland and Louisiana. Harder originally appeared with the stuffed rodent in 2019 when he introduced a bill to direct $7 million in funding towards nutria management in California. Nutria were discovered in Harder’s previous CA-10 district in 2017 and have posed an out-sized threat since then. Funding to manage the species is currently set to be cut by over 60%.

    Nutria are known to damage farmland, increase the risk of flooding, and endanger local ecosystems. If unmanaged, the nutria population could grow to 250,000 in California within 5 years.

    Harder addressed Tracy Stone-Manning, Director, Bureau of Land Management, Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Charles F. Sams III, Director, National Park Service during the hearing.

  • Almond Board Team Bolsters Nutrition Research and Pest Management

    Two experts – one with a background in nutrition research; the other in pest management – have joined the Almond Board of California’s Research and Innovation team.

    As the associate director of nutrition research, Elena Hemler has been working on a new process to prioritize which research projects the Almond Board funds based on the marketing potential and the nutrition relevance of the topics.

    As a senior pest management specialist, Lauren Fann has been busy familiarizing herself on the research that has been conducted in the almond industry and looking beyond almonds for solutions to emerging problems such as plant bugs.

    Elena Hemler will serve as associate director of nutrition research at the Almond Board of California (image courtesy of the Almond Board of California)

    Hemler is based in Boston. She comes to the Almond Board after having worked in healthcare technology and conducting nutrition research at the Harvard School of Public Health. She was attracted to the Almond Board because of its long track record of investing in nutrition research studies in areas such as heart health, weight management, immunity and skin care.

    “I’ve always been very interested in the large body of research on the health benefits of almonds,” Hemler said. “I was familiar with ABC when I worked in academia and was always impressed with ABC’s reputation for funding high-quality research.”

    Hemler grew up in the Boston area. In her spare time, she and her partner Jacob enjoy hiking, biking and camping in the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire.

    Fann works out of the Almond Board’s Modesto office. Prior to the ABC, she was a graduate research assistant at the University of Kentucky, where she completed her PhD in Entomology. Her research was focused on integrated pest management strategies of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, in small acreage and organic vegetable systems.

    One of Fann’s goals at the Almond Board is to help develop effective new tactics that growers can use to expand their sustainable pest management options. She embraces the opportunity to help growers, PCAs and researchers meet the changing needs of the industry.

    “In a similar way that insects are often misunderstood or underappreciated, I want to help growers find the tools that work and change the narrative, highlighting the positive impacts of the almond industry.”

    Fann is a native of the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. When she’s not at work, she enjoys traveling and hiking, often with her dog Dylan. — By the Almond Board of California

  • Almond Board Launches New Website to Help Growers Coordinate NOW Mating Disruption Efforts

    In effort to improve area-wide management of navel orangeworm, the number one pest of the California tree nut industry, the Almond Board of California has launched a new website to help growers and PCAs coordinate/collaborate on mating disruption efforts. Funded by a grant from the California DPR, the Almond Board has created this new online tool with support from Land IQ, Blue Diamond Growers, and the UC Cooperative Extension.  Watch this video interview with Jesse Roseman and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Applying Herbicides Safely to Keep Residue Off of Harvested Almonds

    While there has been research and work underway to move the almond industry to off-ground harvesting such as is done in pistachios, harvested almonds currently spend just enough time in the dust of orchard floors that they can pick up trace residues of herbicides.  Watch this brief interview with UC Cooperative Extension Weed Specialist Brad Hanson as he shares how growers can mitigate this risk with more effective weed management planning and timing of herbicide sprays.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • California Highlights 6 Leaders with Integrated Pest Management Achievement Awards

    On Thursday, Feb. 23, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) honored six leaders for their innovation and commitment to implementing integrated pest management (IPM) at the department’s annual IPM Achievement Awards ceremony.

    The IPM Achievement Awards celebrate organizations and individuals who are leading the adoption of IPM in California, including a program that supports underserved farmers and a Major League Baseball stadium. IPM is an approach to pest management that uses the least toxic, effective method to solve pest problems. IPM is a foundational element of the state’s approach to accelerate a systemwide transition to safer, more sustainable pest management in agriculture or in urban or wildland settings.

    The ceremony, hosted by DPR Director Julie Henderson, spotlighted the six awardees, and include remarks from California Secretary for Environmental Protection Yana Garcia; California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross; and representatives from state leadership and the Legislature.

    “Building on the foundation of effective integrated pest management approaches in urban and agricultural environments is critical to accelerating a statewide transition to sustainable practices,” said DPR Director Julie Henderson. “The awardees we are recognizing are leaders in the advancement of new tools and practices and expanding adoption of integrated pest management. They are valuable stewards of our state’s natural resources and an inspiration to future generations.”

    Recipients of the 2022 IPM Achievement Awards include:

    For training the next generation of IPM ambassadors in the strawberry industry

    Award winner: Cal Poly Strawberry Center

    The Cal Poly Strawberry Center advances IPM and sustainability in strawberry production through prolific research and outreach programs with a focus on plant pathology, entomology and labor automation. The center is conducting ongoing research to increase commercial beneficial predatory mite quality and improving the Lygus bug vacuum as alternatives to traditional pesticides. The center also provides IPM training for undergraduate and graduate students who plan to advance to positions within the strawberry industry and carry the center’s IPM and sustainability philosophy throughout California and beyond. Contact: Gerald Holmes.

    For managing weeds with IPM, prioritizing sustainability, field aesthetics and athletic safety

    Award winner: Oracle Park

    Oracle Park, located in San Francisco, is home of the San Francisco Giants. In the care of Major League Baseball (MLB) fields, managers typically have a low threshold for turf weeds to avoid player injury and to maintain the aesthetic quality of the field. Oracle Park invests in a unique sustainability-centered turf management approach with novel and innovative practices for weed management. The biological nutrition program focuses on soil and turf health to support high-quality, high-performance turf and to minimize and prevent turf pest problems. Innovative technologies such as drones, autonomous mowers, soil sensors and a sub air system to carefully control soil conditions are also used. Oracle Park’s unique sustainability-centered approach is a cutting-edge, first-of-its-kind IPM model for turf management at MLB parks. Contact: Greg Elliott.

    For using IPM to support safe human-wildlife interactions

    Award winner: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Human-Wildlife Conflicts Program (HWC)

    The Human-Wildlife Conflicts Program provides statewide best practices and training for conflicts and interactions between humans and wildlife. The program collects and analyzes wildlife incident data to identify conflict hotspots and conducts educational outreach activities in affected communities. Through their Wildlife Watch Program, integrated wildlife management plans, and other efforts, HWC makes substantial contributions in awareness and appreciation for wildlife in California by educating the public on integrated wildlife management techniques that support safe human-wildlife interactions. Contact: Victoria Monroe.

    For developing sustainability benchmarks to promote IPM adoption in wine growing

    Award winner: Vineyard Team

    Vineyard Team is an educational network that promotes sustainable vineyard growing practices and oversees the Sustainability In Practice (SIP) Certified Program. Vineyard Team’s outreach efforts include in-field trainings, podcasts and blogposts, and a Sustainable Ag Expo—all of which aim to bring together researchers, growers and decision-makers as a strong grower network promoting sustainability. The SIP Certified Program encourages vineyards and wineries to improve sustainability efforts by meeting rigorous certification standards that range from biological conservation and resource sustainability to social equity and continuing education. Currently, 42,000 acres of vineyards and wineries in California are SIP certified. Contact: Beth Vukmanic.

    For providing multilingual IPM resources to underserved growers

    Award winner: Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) Program, Western Regional Office of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)

    NCAT’s Western Regional Office provides multilingual support for underserved growers. NCAT’s ATTRA Program provides effective outreach and education to encourage and assist growers in adopting IPM practices in their fields or transitioning to organic production. Notable successes include informing growers about lower-risk pesticide options and providing hedgerow planting for beneficial insects. Contact: Martin Guerena.

    For a lifetime of IPM innovation, adoption and outreach in urban centers

    Award winner: Chris Geiger, Lifetime IPM Achievement Award

    Chris Geiger’s career has been dedicated to the promotion and adoption of IPM in a variety of California’s urban settings. From 2004 – 2022, Chris managed the San Francisco Department of the Environment’s Integrated Pest Management Program (SF IPM), where he guided IPM efforts that resulted in reduced pesticide use and publishing key IPM resources. Chris was a champion of the Rental Assistance Demonstration project, a collaborative project that aimed to renovate and decrease pest pressure and pesticide use in San Francisco’s public housing buildings. Chris has also co-authored “Pest Prevention by Design and Pest Prevention by Design – Landscapes,” which contains IPM strategies for preventing pests through structural or landscape design. Most recently, Chris was a member of the Sustainable Pest Management Work Group and Urban Subgroup, which was convened by DPR, California Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture last year to develop the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap for California. Chris’s support of peer networking and partnership has been a lifelong commitment and continues beyond the workplace. Contact: Chris Geiger.

    For more information about sustainable pest management or IPM, visit www.cdpr.ca.gov.

    ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION

    The California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s mission is to protect human health and the environment by fostering safer and sustainable pest management practices and operating a robust pesticide regulatory system.  DPR’s work includes registering all pesticides sold or used in California, conducting pre- and post-registration scientific evaluations of pesticides to assess and mitigate potential harm to human health or the environment, monitoring for pesticides in the air and water, and enforcing pesticide use laws regulations in coordination with 55 County Agriculture Commissioners and their 500 field inspectors. DPR also conducts outreach to ensure pesticide workers, farmworkers and local communities have access to pesticide safety information. DPR invests in innovative research and outreach and education to encourage the development and adoption of integrated pest management tools and practices. More information about DPR can be found on our website.

  • UC Davis Seeks Mighty Bacteria-Resistant Lettuce

    Maeli Melotto and her team at the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences are looking for strains of lettuce that are genetically stronger at resisting bacteria that can make people sick. Their work has led to the identification of a gene that could play a role in the plant’s susceptibility to E. coli, a bacterium that causes potentially lethal intestinal illness.

    If the team could develop lettuce that can fight off the bacterium, that would avoid thousands of cases of sickness each year, cut production costs for farmers and save millions of dollars in public health expenses.

    Lettuce “sweats” substances onto the surface of leaves that E. coli and other bacteria can eat. In addition, bacteria can live just below the surface of lettuce leaves. Melotto, a professor specializing in the interactions between plants and microbes, is studying the genetic factors that determine how long bacteria can endure in the leaves. She and her team looked at more than 300 samples of lettuce and how they react to the pathogens, identifying the gene responsible for letting them in.

    Their next step is to test whether removing that gene could make lettuce more resistant to bacteria.

    Maeli Melotto, a professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, and her team have found a gene she thinks governs whether lettuce can resist bacteria such as E. coli. (Trina Kleist/UC Davis)

    Some lettuce more likely to “feed” bacteria

    In a related study, Melotto’s team is looking at the surface of lettuce leaves and the layer just below the surface, which has tiny spaces where bacteria can live. The researchers want to learn what natural chemicals are in these two areas, and what compounds lettuce releases onto the surface of leaves that bacteria can use as food. Melotto expects to find that some types of lettuce are genetically disposed toward “feeding” bacteria.

    Melotto presented her findings at meetings earlier this year of the California Specialty Crops Council and the California Leafy Greens Research Board. Her work is funded in part by a five-year grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

  • How Late is Too Late for Winter NOW Orchard Sanitation?

    The removal of nuts remaining on almond trees from the prior year’s crop is an important winter sanitation practice for the management of navel orangeworm (NOW), Amyelois transitella. Residual nuts are called ‘mummies’ and the process of removing the mummies is referred to as a ‘mummy shake’ because they are mechanically shaken from trees. This practice is conducted during the dormant and delayed dormant season, a time when orchard access may be thwarted by the winter rains.

    Most growers strive to have the mummy shake complete by mid-January when buds are dormant and less likely to abscise from the vibration caused by a mechanical shaker. As the flower buds progress toward bloom, they become more sensitive to the shaker vibration and more likely to abscise. Studies conducted in the 1980s (Sibbett et al.) established that the shaking of mummies by January 31 (approximately 8 days prior to bloom) at a Kern County site did not adversely affect yield; however, the authors cautioned growers of the risk of delaying mummy shakes further, particularly on early blooming varieties and in locations in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Because bud development and bloom date advance with increasing latitude, the potential risk of early and mid-February mummy shakes was investigated by W. Asai (Pomology Consulting, Turlock, CA) in the northern San Joaquin Valley. This work, conducted at a more northern latitude, suggested shakes conducted in early February may not compromise yield.

    The lack of yield detriment attributed to a mummy shake-mediated bud loss may seem counterintuitive; however, simple concepts of tree physiology may help explain this phenomenon. Consider that only approximately 30% of the flowers on a tree set a crop. A given tree does not have the carbohydrate stores needed to set every flower. As a result, the loss of a subset of flower buds may have little effect on overall yield. Naturally, the risk of crop loss increases the closer the shake approaches bloom, and both research groups suggested that mummy shakes be complete prior to the pink bud stage of development.

    Although rainy years make it difficult for growers to access orchards and complete orchard sanitation tasks, the heightened soil moisture adversely affects NOW survival in comparison to dry winters. Mummy nuts on the ground support enhanced NOW survival on a dry orchard floor than on moist soil with winter vegetation in the row middles. The next step in managing overwintering populations of NOW is destruction of mummies by flailing or mowing. Flailing and mowing should be completed by March 1, prior to the emergence of NOW. The emergence profile of NOW varies by location, but the first flight generally starts in late March.

    Growers who have not completed their winter sanitation practices by the end of January should walk their orchards to assess bud development in consideration of a delayed mummy shake. Winter sanitation can reduce now damage by up to 80%, so an early February shake may be worth the effort if orchard access is possible and bud development has not advanced into pink tip. For more information on NOW management, visit www.ipm.ucdavis.edu. — By Cameron Zuber & Elizabeth Fichtner, UCANR

  • California Unveils Plan to Eliminate High-Risk Pesticides by 2050

    Today, the state joined leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds to unveil a roadmap of ambitious goals and actions to accelerate California’s systemwide transition to sustainable pest management and eliminate prioritized high-risk pesticides by 2050 to better protect the health of our communities and environment, while supporting agriculture, food systems and community well-being.

    The Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap for California – released by the Department of Pesticide Regulation, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture – charts a course for the state’s transition to sustainable pest management in agricultural and urban settings.

    The roadmap was developed over nearly two years by a diverse, cross-sector group of stakeholders representing conventional and organic agriculture, urban environments, community and environmental groups, tribes, researchers, and government.

    “For decades, California has used pesticides to protect our crops, our cities, our homes, and our businesses from pests,” said Yana Garcia, California’s Secretary for Environmental Protection. “Exposure to harmful pesticides carries risks – to our health and to our environment – and these risks are disproportionately borne by communities already overburdened by pollution. If we truly want to build a healthy and safe California for all, we must phase out and replace the highest-risk pesticides, and the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap is a bold, new plan to get us there.”

    Sustainable pest management is a holistic, systemwide approach that builds on the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by incorporating essential elements of human health and social equity, environmental protection, and economic vitality. IPM uses the least toxic, effective method to solve pest problems. While IPM has been practiced to varying degrees for decades, it hasn’t been adopted at scale, across the board, in agriculture or in urban or wildland settings, which is why the holistic, systemwide approach recommended through the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap is a necessary evolution.

    “The Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap recognizes how the management of pest pressures is strongly interconnected with resilient farm and ecosystems, and the health of farmworker and communities. said CDFA Secretary, Karen Ross. “We have a lot of work ahead to implement the approaches outlined in the roadmap. However, the implementation of these recommendations will ensure an abundant and healthful food supply, protect our natural resources, and create healthy, resilient communities.”

    The Sustainable Pest Management Work Group was formed in response to both a recommendation from the state’s Chlorpyrifos Alternatives Work Group, and the Governor’s, CalEPA’s and DPR’s recognition of the need to accelerate a holistic, systemwide approach to safer, more sustainable pest management. The Work Group was comprised of 25 members representing diverse interests to address sustainable pest management in agricultural settings, and an additional eight members formed an urban subgroup to address urban pest pressures specifically.

    “Successfully transitioning to sustainable pest management requires collective action,” said DPR Director, Julie Henderson. “The critical actions outlined in the roadmap include prioritizing prevention, coordinating state-level leadership, investing in building knowledge about sustainable pest management, improving the state’s registration and evaluation process to bring more sustainable alternatives to market and enhancing monitoring and statewide data collection to better inform actions.”

    DPR opened a public comment period on the prioritization and implementation of next steps outlined in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap. The comment period opened today and will close at 5 p.m. on March 13, 2023. Comments can be sent to alternatives@cdpr.ca.gov or by mail to 1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, CA 95812. Comments received will be considered as part of the state-level coordination on implementing the recommendations in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap.

    DPR and partner agencies will additionally host a series of webinars to discuss the recommendations and actions outlined in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap for both agricultural and urban landscapes. The webinars are planned for February 2023 and more information will be available on DPR’s website.

    ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION

    The California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s mission is to protect human health and the environment by fostering safer and sustainable pest management practices and operating a robust regulatory system to monitor and manage the sale and use of pesticides across the state. DPR’s work includes registering all pesticides sold or used in California, conducting scientific evaluation of pesticides to assess and mitigate potential harm to human health or the environment, monitoring for pesticides in the air and water, and enforcing pesticide regulations in coordination with 55 County Agriculture Commissioners and their 400 field inspectors. DPR also conducts outreach to ensure pesticide workers, farmworkers and local communities have access to safety information. DPR invests in innovative research to encourage the development and adoption of integrated pest management tools and practices. More information about DPR can be found at www.cdpr.ca.gov.

  • Preventing Alternate Bearing Patterns And Freeze/Frost Protection (Avocado Field Day)

    The California Avocado Commission will host a grower field day at Pine Tree Ranch in Santa Paula on January 25, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    During the event, California avocado growers will have an opportunity to meet CAC’s new president, Jeff Oberman. In addition, Tim Spann of Spann Ag Research & Consulting and Ben Faber, UC Farm Advisor, will lead a discussion on cultural management practices specific to the winter 2023 season. The topics will include:

    • Preventing severe alternate bearing patterns. Many groves have a very light crop for the 2023 season, which can lead to trees becoming set in a severe alternate bearing pattern. Discussion will center on cultural management practices to alleviate this problem.
    • Post-freeze/frost grove care. Winter brings with it the risks of frosts and freezes. Presenters will focus on best practices for managing groves after frosts and freezes have occurred.

    Attendees are encouraged to ask questions about concerns they are facing within their own groves and are welcome to walk through the various grove plantings at Pine Tree Ranch.

  • Federal Funding for New Citrus Breeding Program in Parlier, California

    California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and the Citrus Research Board (CRB) welcome more than $1 million in new federal funding for critical research programs that support the U.S. and California citrus industries.

    The 2023 Appropriations bill passed by Congress recently includes continued funding to help stop the deadly citrus plant disease Huanglonging (HLB) that has devastated citrus production in Florida and other parts of the country. Additionally, $1 million in new funding was approved to establish a citrus breeding program at the USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) field station in Parlier, California. This funding will be re-appropriated annually.

    Championed by California Senator Alex Padilla and Representatives Jim Costa and David Valadao, the new California citrus breeding program will identify new citrus varieties that are best suited for changing climatic pressures such as drought, consumer taste preferences, and resistant to pests and diseases such as HLB.

    The program is an expansion of the existing national USDA ARS citrus breeding program located in Florida, which is focused primarily on varieties that are optimized for Florida growing conditions. The Florida program has resulted in new varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance, improved color, and a longer shelf life.

    With such promising advances being made in Florida, CCM and the CRB saw the need for a similar program in California to breed fresh citrus varieties that are better adapted to the unique environmental conditions of California’s production regions.

    The CRB, which is a grower-funded organization aimed at furthering the industry’s research priorities, has committed $500,000 toward establishing the new breeding program in Parlier, with the goal of bringing additional representation to California’s industry.

    “The commitment of the citrus industry to delivering quality research and innovation for all farm use has taken a big step forward with the support of congress funding the citrus breeding program in Parlier,” said Justin Brown, CRB Chairman.

    Marcy L. Martin, CRB President, added, “Expanding the current national citrus breeding program into California will have a significant impact on California’s citrus industry as growers aim to mitigate the evolving issues that affect production and increase yield through varietal research.”

    The Florida and California breeding programs along with the continued efforts of the University of California citrus breeding program at UC Riverside will work together to deliver the best results for California citrus growers.

    “The addition of the breeding facility in Parlier will make the ARS Citrus Program a truly national project,” said CCM President and CEO Casey Creamer. “We look forward to watching the growth of this program and its collaboration with the UC breeding program to find solutions to the issues California citrus growers are faced with every day.”

    Additionally, the 2023 Federal budget includes continued funding for the Citrus Health Response Program, which supplements industry and state funding for on-the-ground efforts aimed at preventing the spread of the HLB and continued funding for the Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination group, which funds research programs aimed at identifying short term solutions to HLB.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing CA citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most.

    About the Citrus Research Board (CRB)

    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.