Search Results

EPA has extended the delay for respirator fit testing until September 30, 2021.

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: May 21, 2021 by Jerry Neufeld

Due to
the COVID19 pandemic, and concerns about obtaining respirators and annual fit
testing as required by the WPS, EPA has provided guidance for delaying the
annual fit testing.  This delay will be effective until September 30,
2021.  EPA expects employers and handlers to make every effort to
comply with all pesticide label and Agricultural WPS requirements.

If all
options to find new respirators and get handlers fit tested, are exhausted,
EPA's guidance provides the following additional options: 

1. Reuse and extend use of disposable N95 filter facepiece
   respirators,


2. Use of "expired" respirators,


3. Use of respirators certified in certain other countries
   or jurisdictions meeting protective conditions outlined,


4. Delay the annual respirator "fit
   test".  

Potential
risk to handlers can be minimized if the handlers and the employers comply with
all other requirements of the WPS and pesticide labels if:

• Handlers have received an annual fit test during
  calendar year 2019 or 2020 and continue to use that specific respirator
  make and model,


• Handlers have not had a physiological change that
  affects the seal (e.g. 20lb. weight loss or gain, facial surgery, scarring
  since last fit test),


• Handler employer can demonstrate that the handler
  received respirator training in the previous 12 months.  

THIS
AMENDMENT TO THE WPS EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 30, 2021.

Click
on the line below for more information from the EPA.

» https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2021-05/documents/amendmenttojune2020respiratoryprotectionstatement050621.pdf

Ag Talk Tuesday - May 18 at 11 AM

All Crops    All Locations

Ag Talk Tuesday

Posted on: May 14, 2021 by Juliet Marshall

May 18 — Idaho Insect Identification website overview — Brad Stokes, Jason Thomas & Aquifer recharge program — Keith Esplin — Juliet Marshall (host)

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

Ag Talk Tuesday Resume TOMORROW May 4

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: May 3, 2021 by Kasia Duellman

Ag Talk Tuesday resumes tomorrow May 4, 11AM to 1PM (MDT).

All sessions will be held on the first and third Tuesdays, May through August.

Registration is required. Register here:  https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd-ugrzktHdEEbqB3aHk3rlJLgCeSkCLz

For more information and a schedule of topics, please visit our website: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday 

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd-ugrzktHdEEbqB3aHk3rlJLgCeSkCLz

ISDA Pesticide Disposal Program for Spring 2021

All Crops    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: April 27, 2021 by Jerry Neufeld

Idaho State Department of Agriculture will be hosting a pesticide disposal program at various locations in May.  Click on the pdf below for more information.

» ISDA_PDP.pdf

Ag Talk Tuesday resumes!

All Crops    All Locations

Ag Talk Tuesday

Posted on: April 23, 2021 by Juliet Marshall

Greetings!

We are excited to announce that the University of Idaho Extension's Ag Talk Tuesday sessions will resume May 4 for the 2021 season. 

As usual, these sessions will be held on the first and third Tuesdays of May, June, July and August, from 11AM to 1PM (MDT).

You can find a schedule (subject to change) and more information on our website: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

Registration is required to attend. You only need to register once to attend all sessions. Once you register, information on how to attend via Zoom or by calling in by phone will be sent to you in a separate email. 

To register, click this link (or copy and paste it into your web browser): https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd-ugrzktHdEEbqB3aHk3rlJLgCeSkCLz.

Please join us starting May 4 at 11 AM (MDT) for these online, live, interactive sessions that focus on agriculture - current season issues related to pests, diseases, weeds, diagnostics, soil health, irrigation, agronomy & more along with featured topics and guest speakers.

For questions, please contact one of the organizers: Kasia Duellman (kduellman@uidaho.edu), Pam Hutchinson (phutch@uidaho.edu), or Juliet Marshall (jmarshall@uidaho.edu).

» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd-ugrzktHdEEbqB3aHk3rlJLgCeSkCLz

2021 Idaho Master Gardener Plant Diagnostic Clinics & Plant Sales

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley

Posted on: April 17, 2021 by Nic Usabel

Plant Diagnostic Clinic:

Many University of Idaho Extension offices offer a free plant
diagnostic clinic where certified Idaho Master Gardener volunteers help answer
clientele questions. Here are the details that were shared with the PNW Pest Alert
Network.

• UI Extension, Ada County (Boise, ID): The plant diagnostic clinic
  operates April through September. Ada county residents should contact 208-287-5900
  or email adamg@uidaho.edu with landscape
  and garden questions. For additional details visit https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/ada/horticulture.
• UI Extension, Canyon County (Caldwell, ID): The free plant diagnostic
  clinic operates May through September and is staffed Monday and Wednesday 1 PM
  to 4 PM and Friday 9 AM to 12 PM. Canyon county residents should contact 208-459-6003
  or email ccmg@uidaho.edu with landscape
  and garden questions. For additional details visit https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/canyon/horticulture.
  

Don’t see your county listed? Use the first link below to
find all county locations in Idaho.

Spring Garden Plant Sale:

• UI Extension, Ada County (Boise, ID): Let’s get growing! The
  University of Idaho Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale will be held Saturday,
  May 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Ada County Extension Office, 5880
  Glenwood Street, Boise. Offerings include houseplants, herbs, vegetables, and
  berries, flowering perennials, gardening books, and so much more. Cash or check
  only. Please no early birds. For more information, call the Master Gardeners at
  (208) 287-5900. Come join the fun!
• UI Extension, Canyon County (Caldwell, ID): Searching for
  new plants to add to your garden or landscape? The University of Idaho Canyon
  County Master Gardener Spring Garden Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, April
  24th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at Canyon County Extension Office, 501 Main
  Street, Caldwell. New this year will be the virtual pre-sale opening Monday,
  April 19 and closing Friday, April 23. Items can be pre-ordered at https://bit.ly/ccmgstore and are available
  for pick up Saturday, April 24 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Available plants
  include vegetables, herbs, houseplants, succulents, flowering perennials,
  native plants, and so much more. Join in the fun! For More information, call UI
  Extension, Canyon County at (208) 459-6003.

» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/find.aspx

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/ada/horticulture

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/canyon/horticulture.

» Ada MG Plant Sale

» Canyon MG Plant Sale

2021 Rose & Grapevine Pruning

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley

Posted on: April 2, 2021 by Nic Usabel

It’s time to prune roses and grapevines in the Treasure Valley. The cold temperatures are milder, and the forsythia is in full bloom.

ROSES:
For a guide to pruning roses click the first link below. For a video tutorial click the second link below.

GRAPEVINES:
The University of Idaho Research & Extension Center in Parma recommends pruning grapevines in the Treasure Valley no sooner than mid-March to ensure that low temperatures do not kill buds after pruning. Grapevines can “bleed”, movement of sap from the cut, heavily when pruned in spring. This does not harm the vines. For a pruning guide on grapevines click the third link below. For a video tutorial click the fourth link below.

Additional sources not provided in the links below include Grapevine Management from Utah State University at https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2672&context=extension_curall and Pruning Roses from Colorado State University at https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/trees-shrubs-vines/1763-pruning-roses/.

For additional questions on rose or grapevine pruning reach out to a local University of Idaho Extension office. Find your county office by visiting https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/find.aspx.

» https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/guide-pruning-roses

» https://youtu.be/xTlrYSmSFZw

» https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/yard-and-garden-how-prune-grapevines

» https://youtu.be/VE5Aw9Wn5F4

2021 Mosquito Management Webinar

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley

Posted on: March 29, 2021 by Nic Usabel

A free virtual webinar titled "Mosquito Management: An Integrated Approach" will be hosted by University of Idaho Extension, Canyon County on Tuesday, April 13 2021 at 6 PM MDT.

In this webinar James Lunders, District Director for Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District, will discuss control of larval and adult mosquitos, surveillance of mosquito borne diseases, and how to protect yourself, pets, and livestock.

Registration should be completed at https://bit.ly/2Cmosquito

To see the flyer visit http://bit.ly/2QosdEE

» https://bit.ly/2Cmosquito

» http://bit.ly/2QosdEE

2021 Spring Lawn Fertilization & Care

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley

Posted on: March 15, 2021 by Nic Usabel

Spring lawn fertilization for cool season grasses recommend that fertilization be made while energy is being directed to root growth, which follows with leaf growth. This timeframe for cool season turf in the Treasure Valley traditionally March thru early May. If mulching is a practice in your lawn maintenance plan, nitrogen can be reduced by ½ pound annually. Attend a “Lawn Care for Success” class to learn more about maintenance, fertilization, and watering. Click the link https://bit.ly/21Lawn2C to register for the class.

The proper rate of fertilizer application is best achieved when using a soil test result to identify the fertilizer needs of the soil. Use the second link below to access a publication to help calculate rate of fertilizer application for the lawn. Applications should be split between spring and fall. Application rates should not exceed 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in any one application, access the third link below to review the publication to identify additional time(s) for application if rate would exceed the 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet limit with only and spring and fall application. Always follow label directions.

For more information on how to obtain a soil sample to a soil test submission contact your local University of Idaho Extension office. Contact information can be found at https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/find.aspx

Another method of identifying application rate is based on the level of turf maintenance from low to high traffic. Application rates should not exceed 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in any fertilizer application and always follow label directions. Review descriptions, timing, and rate of application below.

1. Light use is classified as occasional foot traffic or little to no play from children. Annual turfgrass recommendation is 0-1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Split the application between a spring and fall application.

2. Moderate Use: Typical children’s play and occasional garden parties. Annual turfgrass recommendation is 2-3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Split the application equally between a spring, early fall (late September) and late fall (Mid October to Late November)

3. Heavy Use: Frequently used sports field play, heavy traffic and/or frequent garden parties. Annual turfgrass recommendation is 4-6 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in spring, 0.5 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet late May/early June, 0.5 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet late June/early July, 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet early fall (late September) and 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet late fall (Mid October to Late November).

If your lawn is suffering from soil compaction or development of a thick thatch layer core aeration can be completed in the spring but is preferred in fall while weed pressure will be reduced. For more information on core aeration reference the fourth publication link below.

Spring provides the opportunity to seed new turfgrass areas or to over-seed areas that may have been damaged over the winter. Cool temperatures will promote germination and growth of cool season turf species, tall and fine fescues, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. Weed pressure can be higher this time of year so consider your weed control options or consider overseeding in the fall. Select pest resistant or recommended turfgrass cultivars when possible.

If there are additional questions on lawn care or weed management reach out to a local University of Idaho Extension office.

» https://bit.ly/21Lawn2C

» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1182.pdf

» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS0846.pdf

» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/html/BUL964-Core-Aeration-of-Lawns.aspx?title=Search&category1=Search&category2=NULL

Educational Video-Monitor Flying Insects to Improve Management

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: March 3, 2021 by Jason Thomas

Do you know what types of insects are entering your field and garden at different times of the year? Would you like more information to help you decide when to implement pest control actions? The University of Idaho Extension just recently released this 5 minute video to demonstrate a way to monitor for flying insects entering your crop or garden. Click the link below to watch.

https://youtu.be/9C-V09gDfY8

Monitoring insects entering your field/garden can help you know when to take specific control actions. For example, in seed potato production it is a critical practice to help us monitor when aphids potentially harboring viruses enter a field. The traps do most of the work for you. You just have to check it every so often and maintain it over the growing season. Utilizing traps can be a helpful way to implement integrated pest management into your operation.

For other insect trapping/monitoring ideas the following demonstrational videos may be helpful:

Pit Fall Traps (For walking/ground insects): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k7I4cdKnMI

Collecting Insects with a Wet Shovel (For Small Crop Pests Like Thrips): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC1g8QJDTYk

Jason Thomas
Extension Educator & Entomologist, U of I Extension
85 E Baseline Rd, Rupert, ID 83350
jasont@uidaho.edu

» https://youtu.be/9C-V09gDfY8

» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k7I4cdKnMI

» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC1g8QJDTYk

Chlorpyrifos Survey

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: February 21, 2021 by Stuart Reitz

Please help us gather valuable information about chlorpyrifos (Lorsban and related insecticide products).

Restrictions on the use of chlorpyrifos and the complete revocation of its registration are under way. Our team has initiated a cross-commodity collaborative research project to identify viable options as alternatives to chlorpyrifos. Research will be conducted at several locations in Oregon to determine the efficacy of currently registered chemistries and newer products in onion, corn, cherries, grass seed, and clover seed. This survey will provide critical information on the use of chlorpyrifos across all crops and will help us identify issues to improve our research project.
https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_28ZDP4ZJ282CcES
Survey participants are eligible for a $25 gift card.

If you have questions or comments about the project, please contact Silvia Rondon, Project Leader, OSU Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 541-567-8321, silvia.rondon@oregonstate.edu.

Sent on behalf of project team: Silvia Rondon, Stuart Reitz, Navneet Kaur, Daniel Lightle, and Chris Adams.

Thank you for your assistance,

» https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_28ZDP4ZJ282CcES

Research and Outreach Programming for Pulse Crops

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: February 9, 2021 by Jerry Neufeld

Montana State University needs your help to improve our research and outreach programing for pulse crops. We’ve created a survey to help us collect information that will directly impact what we research, how we develop our future programming, and also increase our ability to apply for pulse crop research funding.

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. You can use your phone, computer, or tablet.

Your responses are completely anonymous – we have no way of connecting people to answers. Also, the data we collect are always aggregated (all answers summarized together), so that individual responses are never seen by anyone but the researchers.

Here’s a link to the survey: https://bit.ly/Pulses2021; you can copy it into your browser.

If you have any questions about the survey or our research, please don’t hesitate to contact Mary Burrows at mburrows@montana.edu or my research associate at monica.brelsford@montana.edu or by phone at (406) 994-5155.

Thank you for helping out research and Extension!

2021 Peach Leaf Curl Delayed-Dormant Spring Application

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley

Peach leaf curl (Taphrina deformans)

Posted on: February 6, 2021 by Nic Usabel

If you experienced peach leaf curl on peach or nectarine trees during the 2020 growing season and did not treat in the fall a delayed-dormant application before floral buds open is recommended to help with control.

DESCRIPTION: Peach leaf curl caused by fungus Taphrina deformans and is specific to peaches and nectarines. Trees that are infected will have leaves that are distorted or curl, appear blistered, and develop a yellow or red color.

CONTROL: Spray with an approved fungicide such as lime sulfur or copper-based fungicide. More chemical options listed by viewing the PNW handbook link below. Apply according to label directions and instructions. Cultural control for backyard growers includes removal of infected leaves that have fallen and selecting resistant cultivars.

If you have additional questions, contact your local University of Idaho Extension office at https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/find.aspx.

» https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/peach-prunus-persica-leaf-curl

» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/find.aspx

2021 Pruning Deciduous Trees & Shrubs

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley

Posted on: January 30, 2021 by Nic Usabel

It is time to prune deciduous trees (landscape & fruit) and shrubs. As a general guide remove no more than one-third of the tree when pruning. Reference the first and third link for pruning deciduous trees and for a video reference the fourth link. Reference the second link for fruit trees.

Prune shrub species which grow on the current season’s growth during the dormant period, usually late winter early spring. A few examples of flowering shrubs in this grouping including butterfly bush, heather, heavenly bamboo, hydrangea, shrubby roses and rose of sharon. Reference the third link for more information.

For shrub species which form buds on last season’s growth prune these species within about two months after the flowers fade. On these species, flower buds form in late summer and early fall. Winter pruning decreases the number of flowers the following spring as branches containing flower buds are removed. A few examples of flowering shrubs in this grouping include azaleas, lilac, magnolia, mockorange, serviceberry, and witchhazel. Reference the third link for more information.

For most areas of Idaho, plants that bloom before June 1 formed the flowers the previous year on old wood. Those that bloom after June 1 form flowers on new growth. Keep in mind that this is only a rough guideline.

For classes on pruning in the Treasure Valley see the attached file.

If you have additional questions, contact your local UI Extension office. To search by county visit https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/find.aspx

» https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1139-2015.pdf

» https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/pnw400/html

» https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/HO/HO-4-W.pdf

» https://youtu.be/mF8N1thnpn8

» Treasure Valley Parks & Recreation Classes

2021 Miller Research Potato Disease Management Seminars

Potato    All Locations

Posted on: January 28, 2021 by Jeff Miller

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller Research will not be holding its annual Potato Pest Management Meeting. Instead, we will be having four 1-hour virtual seminars where we will discuss four different topics related to potato disease management. One CCA (integrated pest management) credit and one ISDA pesticide recertification credit have been awarded for each session. You will be required to answer some participation questions in order to get the ISDA credit. Each session will run from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. Registration is free.

Meetings will be held by Zoom and registration is required separately for each session. To register for each session, click on the link. You will be taken to a page where you need to enter your name and email address. After successfully registering, you will receive a confirmation email that contains the link to log into the session.

» https://millerresearch.com/events/

» MR Potato Disease Management Seminars

Pre-License Online Training

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: January 27, 2021 by Jerry Neufeld

The University of Idaho will be conducting an online Pre-License Training for those people wanting to receive training prior to taking the examinations for a pesticide applicator license. Click on the pdf below for more information.

» 2021-PreLicense_Training_POSTER.pdf

2021 Virtual Bean School

Dry Beans    All Locations

Posted on: January 12, 2021 by Jerry Neufeld

The 2021 Treasure Valley and Magic Valley Bean Schools will be virtual this year. The Bean School will be held January 27 and 28 in the morning. There will be 2 Idaho pesticide licenses credits available. Click on the pdf below for more information.

» 2021_Bean_School_Flyer.pdf

Idaho and Eastern Oregon Onion Crop Protection Zoom Meeting

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: January 6, 2021 by Jerry Neufeld

The Idaho and Eastern Oregon Onion Crop Protection Meeting will be on Zoom this year. It will be held Tuesday, February 2nd from 9 am to 12 pm. Click on the pdf below for the link and more information. There will be one Idaho license credit.

» Idaho_Eastern_Oregon_Onion_Crop_Protection_Meeting_agenda.pdf