Crop Alerts
Showing 25 most recent Crops alerts
Swipe Left or Right to navigate Alerts
“Heads up” for Volunteer Potato Control in other crops.
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: May 26, 2016 by Phillip Wharton
With the very mild winter weather conditions this year a lot of volunteer potatoes survived over winter. Growers are now seeing a lot of problems with volunteer potatoes in other crops such as corn, sugar beet, wheat and onions. Volunteer potatoes can be very hard to eliminate if the correct control measures are not taken at the most appropriate time. The potato tuber initiation stage has been shown to be the best time for herbicide application in order to kill the volunteer potato plant, prevent re-sprouting, and prevent tuber production. Attached, Dr. Pamela Hutchinson, Potato Cropping Systems Weed Scientist, has put together a great article on methods for controlling volunteer potatoes in other crops.
Update of potato psyllid monitoring in Idaho - 20 May 2016
All Crops All Locations
potato psyllids
Posted on: May 20, 2016 by Erik Wenninger
This week we collected our first sticky cards of the season from potato fields. No potato psyllids were found in potato fields this week. Sticky cards had been deployed in only 27 of the estimated 96 fields that will be included in the program this year, but quite a few more sites were established this past week.
More information and resources on potato psyllids and zebra chip, including management and scouting recommendations, can be found at the link below.
http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/psyllid-management
First 2016 Western Cherry Fruit Flies Captured in ISDA Monitor Trap
Cherry All Locations
Western Cherry Fruit Fly
Posted on: May 20, 2016 by Paul Castrovillo
Four specimens of Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis indifferens) were found in an Idaho State Department of Agriculture WCFF survey trap in Canyon County that was checked on May 16. These were the first specimens captured in 2016. Our traps in Gem County, checked the same day, contained no WCFF, however, historically we expect to find them there about a week after the initial catch in Canyon County.
Now is the time to begin treatment for WCFF.
Please check with your local county extension educator or crop consultant for the situation in your area and for proper chemical recommendations and application methods if necessary.
2016 Potato psyllid monitoring program underway in Idaho
Potato All Locations
potato psyllids
Posted on: May 13, 2016 by Erik Wenninger
The University of Idaho, in collaboration with Miller Research and several crop consultants across the state will continue our monitoring program for potato psyllids, zebra chip, and liberibacter (Lso), the bacterium that causes zebra chip. The monitoring program covers commercial potato fields throughout southern Idaho and is funded in part by IPC, USDA, and generous in-kind contributions by our collaborators.
The first deployment of sticky cards on several of our sites occurred during the past week. More details on the program will be forthcoming, but it will be similar to what we’ve done over the last three years.
More information and resources on potato psyllids and zebra chip, including management and scouting recommendations, can be found at the link below.
http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/psyllid-management
Stripe rust in wheat and barley
Small Grains All Locations
stripe rust of wheat
Posted on: May 13, 2016 by Juliet Marshall
Stripe rust continues to spread and is now affecting susceptible spring wheat (UI Pettit) as well as winter wheat. From Oregon to Eastern Idaho, be prepared to apply fungicides to susceptible and moderately susceptible varieties. The fungi infect, take a week or two to develop, and suddenly stripe rust pustules appear seemingly overnight. The application of triazole fungicides are critical in reducing the impact on crops that are already infected, so triazoles and mixed mode of action fungicides are needed to stop the fungi in fields that already have infections. Click on the Cereals Project link to access a Fungicide Efficacy Table and more information about this disease.
Stripe rust in barley has been reported - but at low levels and in one field. This is a different strain, and stripe rust of wheat does not cause stripe rust in barley. Scout fields of wheat and barley, and report occurrence, location and variety to me at jmarshall@uidaho.edu. Thank you to all who have sent me pictures and outbreaks!
Stripe rust in Malheur County
Wheat Northern Idaho
Stripe Rust
Posted on: May 12, 2016 by Bill Buhrig
Stripe rust is being observed in wheat fields between Nyssa and Ontario. This falls in line with previous discoveries of stripe rust in neighbors areas including at the Parma R and E Center. As Juliet Marshall (U of I Aberdeen) suggests, weekly scouting is key and working with your crop consultant is important. Please see the link to the PNW Disease Handbook for more information.
» http://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/wheat-triticum-aestivum-stripe-rust-yellow-rust
Stripe Rust in Parma Area
Wheat Treasure Valley
stripe rust
Posted on: May 11, 2016 by Jerry Neufeld
Dr. Oliver Neher (AMSCO Pathologist) and Dr. Olga Walsh (UI Parma Research and Extension Center) have found and confirmed stripe rust in the winter wheat nursery plots at the University of Idaho, Parma R&E Center.
Below is information Dr. Juliet Marshall (University of Idaho Cereals Extension Specialist) posted on this website regarding stripe rust a few days ago.
I highly recommend that anyone with a field of Brundage examine it closely for stripe rust, looking especially at lower leaves that could have been infected last fall. Snow cover protects wheat as well as the stripe rust from freezing temperatures. Fields that have been under snow will serve as good reservoirs for stripe rust to carry into our spring wheat.
All susceptible varieties should be scouted weekly from now on. Please report infected fields (the approximate location) and send pictures so I can keep alerts updated as the season progresses (jmarshall@uidaho.edu). This helps everyone!
Strobilurin fungicides are excellent preventative fungicides, as are triazoles. Triazoles (or triazole and strobilurin mixes) are more effective if there is a field with established infections. The attached table is (not a complete) list of fungicides put together by a group of pathologists belonging to the NCERA-184, with ratings for degree of control of several wheat diseases.
At this point:
1) Spray fungicides at herbicide timing on susceptible varieties of winter wheat.
2) Select resistant spring varieties, if possible.
3) Be prepared to spray susceptible winter and spring varieties as needed to protect from yield loss - this may be two or more applications of fungicides during the growing season.
4) Scout ALL varieties as there are sometimes changes in the fungal strains, and those varieties that are currently resistant may become susceptible if there are race changes in the fungi.
The use of resistant varieties is the most sustainable and economically viable method of stripe rust control. Breeders work hard to develop resistant varieties in order to help growers save input costs. It is not necessary to spray resistant varieties – in fact, not spraying resistant varieties will contribute to longer-term effectiveness of available fungicides.
» http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho
» http://pnwpestalert.net/uploads/Stripe_Rust_Alert_4-5-16.pdf
» http://pnwpestalert.net/uploads/NCERA_184_Wheat_fungicide_table_2016_V1.pdf
May 9th Tree Fruit Pest Advisory
Tree Fruits All Locations
Codling Moth, Aphids, Fire Blight, Thinning
Posted on: May 9, 2016 by Tony McCammon
Codling moth is in early hatch for most of Southwestern Idaho. Southern and Eastern Idaho are not far behind. open the attached pest advisory for more information on Codling moth management.
Wildflower Day is May 12th at the Malheur Experiment Station!
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: May 2, 2016 by Bill Buhrig
Everyone is invited to attend the Native Wildflower Seed Production Field Day at the Malheur Experiment Station on May 12. Registration starts at 8am and lunch will be served. The flier is attached with more details. It is requested that attendees RSVP so we can get a head count for lunch. Call 541-889-2174 to RSVP or ask any questions you may have. It will be a good time!
sugarbeet root maggot, 2017
Sugarbeets Treasure Valley
sugarbeet root maggot
Posted on: April 26, 2016 by Jerry Neufeld
The degree day calculator (hosted by the Integrated Plant Protection Center at Oregon State University; http://uspest.org/cgi-bin/ddmodel.us) for the sugar beet root maggot fly shows that—depending on your location in the Treasure Valley—we have accumulated nearly 360 growing degree days since January 1, 2017. Peak flight of root maggot flies should occur after 360 accumulated growing degree days when the maximum high temperature exceeds 80 degrees F. In the Treasure Valley this will be very soon.
Root maggot flies will lay eggs near sugarbeet plants. After the larvae hatch they will begin feeding on the young sugarbeets. Look for these pests to appear in the western end of the Treasure Valley first. If you haven’t applied a treatment for sugarbeet root maggot, now is the time to do so. The link below from the 2017 PNW Insect Management handbook contains additional information. Visit with your field consultant from AMSCO for treatment options.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/agronomic/sugar-beet/sugar-beet-sugar-beet-root-maggot
» http://uspest.org/cgi-bin/ddmodel.us
» sugarbeet root maggot larvae
Parma/Malheur Cropping Systems Agronomy Field Day - JUNE 20, 8:30 AM
All Crops Treasure Valley
Posted on: April 25, 2016 by Olga Walsh
Contact information: Olga Walsh (University of Idaho, Parma R&E Center): owalsh@uidaho.edu; Bill Buhrig (Oregon State University, Malheur ES): William.Buhrig@oregonstate.edu
LOCATION: University of Idaho, Parma R&E Center, 29603 U of I Lane, Parma, ID, 83660.
Time Activity
8:30 am – 9:00 am Registration
9:00 am – 12 noon Touring the experimental plots/demos
12:00 noon – 1 pm Lunch/indoor presentations
Crops/topics covered: winter & spring wheat, beans, corn, fresh peas/mustard/wheat rotations, nutrient management, water management, weed management, unmanned aerial vehicles, crop sensors. Detailed information will follow shortly.
Please consider to attend/present and spread the word about the field day.
Weevil in Forage Alfalfa
Alfalfa Northern Idaho
Weevil
Posted on: April 20, 2016 by Bill Buhrig
Weevil are being found in forage alfalfa fields in Malheur County. They are more likely to be approaching damage thresholds in older stands. Please refer to the attached link for more information and work with your crop consultants to determine if a treatment is necessary. Be aware of pre-harvest intervals and how they may interfere with your timing when swathing first cutting. In some instances, swathing may make more sense than applying a plant protectant product.
» http://insect.pnwhandbooks.org/hay-pasture/alfalfa/alfalfa-hay-alfalfa-weevil
Lygus Emergence in Alfalfa Seed
Alfalfa Seed Treasure Valley
lygus bug
Posted on: April 19, 2016 by Jerry Neufeld
Thanks to Dr. Jim Barbour, IPM Specialist at the University of Idaho, SW Idaho Research and Extension Center (Parma) for providing this information about Lygus emergence in alfalfa seed.
The Lygus degree day calculator hosted by Integrated Plant Protection Center at Oregon State University and the IPM Centers - PNW Coalition (http://pnwpest.org/cgi-bin/ddmodel.pl?spp=lyg) shows that, depending on your location in the Treasure Valley, we have accumulated 137 degree days between January 1, 2016 and April 19, 2016. Peak emergence of lygus bug 1st and 2nd instar nymphs should occur right around 272 accumulated degree days: this usually occurs around mid-May, and is the time monitoring for lygus bugs in alfalfa seed fields should begin. Right now peak emergence is predicted to occur about the first week of May ( ~May 5). This is about 8 days ahead of the 30 year average.
When using most insecticides, fields should be treated when numbers of lygus bugs reach 4-5 lygus bug nymphs per 180 degree sweep. Growers using Assail, or Beleaf, as stand-alone sprays probably should treat before 4th instar nymphs are detected. You can monitor degree day accumulation using the link provided above as follows:
1) Select the location nearest you by selecting the appropriate pin in the map at the top of the page. The above data are for the Parma location. Results likely will vary depending on the location selected.
2) Select “insects” in the category drop down box under the map, then select the “Lygus bug [alfalfa seed] Ben Simko 2000” model from the “model Parma” drop down box.
3) The predicted date for the 275 degree day accumulation for peak 1st and 2nd instar lygus nymphs will be listed in the “DDs Event” text box. You also can view the full model output by selecting the button labeled “Click here to CALC/ RUN model w/daily output.”
FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) Outreach Meeting - April 26
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: April 18, 2016 by Stuart Reitz
FSMA outreach/informational meeting
Tuesday, April 26, 6-8 p.m.
Clarion Inn, 1249 Tapadera Avenue, Ontario, Oregon
The Idaho State Dept Agriculture (ISDA) will host an informational meeting for growers on the status of the FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) rules.
This session will focus on the Produce Safety Rule, which relates to on-farm activities for raw agricultural commodities, and the Preventative Controls for Human Food Rule, which covers food manufacturing.
Onions and tree fruits are examples of commodities that are subject to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Please plan to attend if you have questions regarding FSMA in relation to your farm or processing facility operation.
RSVP by April 22 to: Candi Fitch, Idaho Fruit and Vegetable Association, Executive Director, at (208) 722-5111, or candif@cableone.net.
ISDA Pesticide Disposal Program 2016
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: April 18, 2016 by Jerry Neufeld
Idaho State Department of Agriculture is conducting a pesticide disposal program May 9 and 10, at Nampa and Weiser. The pdf below has detailed information.
Malheur County, OR - 24(c) label to apply Outlook to Onions through Drip
Onion Northern Idaho
Yellow Nutsedge
Posted on: April 12, 2016 by Stuart Reitz
MALHEUR COUNTY has a new Special Local Needs (24C) label for applying the herbicide Outlook to onions through drip irrigation for yellow nutsedge control.
Applications can be made from the 2 - 6 leaf stage of the onion crop, A total of 21 oz. per season may be applied to the crop. There is a single application limit of 14 oz of Outlook per acre. The remainder of the 21 oz limit can be applied in a sequential application made at least 14 days later.
Please consult the label for complete instructions.
Research conducted at the Malheur Experiment Station has shown improved yellow nutsedge control with drip applications compared with conventional post-emergence foliar applications (http://cropinfo.net/pdf/ar/2014/2014-011-OnionOutDrip.pdf). Please note the research was conducted with one variety, "Vaquero".
To make drip applications of Outlook, users must have the 24(c) label and the entire Outlook container label in possession at the time of pesticide application.
Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus in the Treasure Valley
Small Grains Treasure Valley
Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus
Posted on: April 8, 2016 by Jerry Neufeld
Dr. Olga Walsh, Research Assistant Professor of Cropping Systems Agronomy, at the U of Idaho Southwest Idaho Research and Extension Center (Parma) is reporting that Barley Yellow Dwarf virus has been identified in winter wheat fields near Parma and near Nampa. Click on the link below to see images of BYDV in winter wheat. Dr. Juliet Marshall posted an alert on April 5, 2016 containing a great deal of management information about BYDV.
» http://idcrops.blogspot.com/2016/04/barley-yellow-dwarf-virus-in-winter.html
Cereal Leaf Beetle near Parma
Small Grains Treasure Valley
Cereal Leaf Beetle
Posted on: April 8, 2016 by Jerry Neufeld
Dr. Olga Walsh, Research Assistant Professor of Cropping Systems Agronomy, at the U of Idaho Southwest Idaho Research and Extension Center (Parma) is reporting that cereal leaf beetle adults are actively flying in winter wheat fields near Parma. Adults have been laying eggs and larvae are beginning to emerge. The cereal leaf beetle has a variety of hosts among cereals and grasses with preference to oat, barley, wheat, rye, timothy, fescue, grain sorghum and corn. Substantial crop yield loss and quality decrease can be expected due to lost photosynthetic activity resulting from the feeding damage.
Scouting of fields is vital both before and during the boot stage to assess for cereal leaf beetle presence and damage. It is recommended to scout weekly by walking through the field in a “W” pattern for best coverage. Stop at 5-10 locations depending on field size and examine 10 plants per location. Count the number of eggs and larvae per plant for smaller plants or per stem for larger plants.
Treatment thresholds: 3 larvae per plant and/or 3 eggs per plant before boot stage, and 1 larva per flag leaf after boot stage.
Click on the links below for management information from the 2016 PNW Insect Management Handbook and to see images of CLB life stages.
» http://insect.pnwhandbooks.org/agronomic/small-grain/small-grain-cereal-leaf-beetle
Stripe Rust confirmed to have overwintered in susceptble winter wheat
Wheat All Locations
stripe rust of wheat
Posted on: April 5, 2016 by Juliet Marshall
I found stripe rust in two fields in south east Idaho on April 4, 2016. The first location was south of Aberdeen in a field of commercial wheat (Brundage).
The second location between American Falls and Pocatello was in a field of volunteer wheat (also Brundage) where stripe rust was found in November, 2015.
A report came in from CPS that a field of Brundage east of Wendell, ID, also has stripe rust (thank you Chris!!!)
From the symptoms, location on the lower leaves, and as one of the locations had confirmed stripe rust prior to the onset of winter, the existing stripe rust has overwintered from fall infections.
I highly recommend that anyone with a field of Brundage examine it closely for stripe rust, looking especially at lower leaves that could have been infected last fall. Snow cover protects wheat as well as the stripe rust from freezing temperatures. Fields that have been under snow will serve as good reservoirs for stripe rust to carry into our spring wheat.
All susceptible varieties should be scouted weekly from now on. Please report infected fields (the approximate location) and send pictures so I can keep alerts updated as the season progresses (jmarshall@uidaho.edu). This helps everyone!
Strobilurin fungicides are excellent preventative fungicides, as are triazoles. Triazoles (or triazole and strobilurin mixes) are more effective if there is a field with established infections. The attached table is (not a complete) list of fungicides put together by a group of pathologists belonging to the NCERA-184, with ratings for degree of control of several wheat diseases.
At this point:
1) Spray fungicides at herbicide timing on susceptible varieties of winter wheat.
2) Select resistant spring varieties, if possible.
3) Be prepared to spray susceptible winter and spring varieties as needed to protect from yield loss - this may be two or more applications of fungicides during the growing season.
4) Scout ALL varieties as there are sometimes changes in the fungal strains, and those varieties that are currently resistant may become susceptible if there are race changes in the fungi.
The use of resistant varieties is the most sustainable and economically viable method of stripe rust control. Breeders work hard to develop resistant varieties in order to help growers save input costs. It is not necessary to spray resistant varieties – in fact, not spraying resistant varieties will contribute to longer-term effectiveness of available fungicides.
The symptoms may not look like the typical long yellow-orange stripes that you see later in the season, but will look more like this:
(see attached picture)
IDAHO - 24(c) label for Outlook applied to onions through drip irrigation
Onion Treasure Valley - Idaho
Yellow Nutsedge
Posted on: April 4, 2016 by Stuart Reitz
IDAHO has a new Special Local Needs (24C) label for applying the herbicide Outlook to onions through drip irrigation for yellow nutsedge control.
Applications can be made from the 2 - 6 leaf stage of the onion crop, with a maximum application rate of 14 oz of Outlook per acre. A total of 21 oz. per season may be applied to a crop.
Please consult the label for complete instructions.
Research conducted at the Malheur Experiment Station has shown improved yellow nutsedge control with drip applications compared with conventional post-emergence foliar applications (http://cropinfo.net/pdf/ar/2014/2014-011-OnionOutDrip.pdf). Please note the research was conducted with one variety, "Vaquero".
To make drip applications of Outlook, users must have the 24(c) label and the entire Outlook container label in possession at the time of pesticide application.
For distribution and use only in Ada, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington Counties in Idaho
Clarification on seed treatment for late blight
Potato All Locations
Late Blight
Posted on: April 1, 2016 by Jeff Miller
A point of clarification on the announcement for using seed piece treatments to manage late blight: State registrations have not yet been granted in ID, OR or WA for the use of Revus at this time. However, it is expected soon. Do not use Revus until the state registrations are in place. If you are going to use a seed treatment for late blight and the state registration is not in place, please choose another fungicide.
Seed treatment for late blight management in potato
Potato All Locations
Late Blight
Posted on: March 31, 2016 by Jeff Miller
The widespread presence of late blight in 2015 has created the possibility of late blight coming into commercial potato production through infected seed. If growers suspect their seed may have late blight, they should treat with a seed treatment effective against late blight. Mancozeb dust (6%) is an effective treatment. Some liquid seed treatments are also available and research has shown them to be more effective than just using 6% MZ dust alone. Curzate (cymoxanil), Reason (fenamidone), and now Revus (mandipropamid) are labeled for treatment of seed for the control of late blight.
Cull Onion Disposal 2016
Onion Treasure Valley
onion maggot
Posted on: February 22, 2016 by Jerry Neufeld
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has prepared a news release reminding the onion industry about the rules for cull onion disposal to control onion maggot in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. Click on the pdf below for more detailed information.
Mark your calendar for a Virus Detection Training Workshop June 20, Othello, WA
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: February 8, 2016 by Nora Olsen
There will be an important Virus Detection Training Workshop on Monday, June 20th, 2016 at the WSU Research Farm, 1471 West Cox Road in Othello, WA. The workshop will cover field identification of PVY (strains O, N-Wi and NTN), including visual identification of foliar symptoms on 40 major cultivars. We will also have samples of different tuber symptoms from PVY, PMTV and TRV. In addition, we will be discussing and demonstrating new diagnostic assays for viruses and soil-borne vectors of some of the viruses. Additional workshops planned for the week include the WSU Commercial Seed Lot Evaluation (Tuesday June 21st) in Othello, the OSU Potato Field Day at the OSU Research and Extension Center, 2121 S. 1st Street, Hermiston, OR (Wednesday June 22nd) and the WSU Potato Field Day in Othello (Thursday June 23rd). Come and make a week of it!
University and USDA experts at the Virus Detection Training Workshop will include Stewart Gray (USDA-ARS/Cornell), Mark Pavek (WSU), Jonathan Whitworth (USDA-ARS/ID), Amy Charkowski (UWI), Alex Karasev (UID) and Nina Zidack (MtSU). The workshop is part of a USDA NIFA Specialty Crops Initiative award titled “Biological and economic impacts of emerging potato tuber necrotic viruses and the development of comprehensive and sustainable management practices”.
The recent standardization of seed certification programs across the U.S. includes the requirement for documentation of inspector training, but this training will also be beneficial to growers, people who rogue, and industry in general, so please sign up early. To register for the event please visit http://bit.ly/wsu-potatovirusworkshop. For more information about the workshop please email pbg-potatovirus@cornell.edu.
Training for use of ZINC PHOSPHIDE CONCENTRATE
Alfalfa Northern Idaho
Belding Ground Squirrel
Posted on: February 4, 2016 by Stuart Reitz
Laurie Gordon from ODA will conduct the required training class for those in BAKER, CROOK, HARNEY, KLAMATH, LAKE, and MALHEUR COUNTIES OREGON who would like to use Zinc Phosphide concentrate for Belding Ground Squirrel control in alfalfa and mixed grass/alfalfa fields. This is for zinc phosphide used with cabbage bait.
The training will be Feb. 17, from 1-3 PM at the Four Rivers Cultural Center, 676 SW 5th Ave., Ontario, OR.
Please note that this training is required every year before you may purchase, mix or apply this zinc phosphide product.
Please contact the Malheur County Extension office 541-881-1417 / stuart.reitz@oregonstate.edu to reserve a space. There is no charge for the class.
