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Barley Yellow Dwarf in Winter Barley
Small Grains All Locations
Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus
Posted on: March 27, 2014 by Juliet Marshall
BYD in winer barley was reported to me by Steve Hines in the Filer area. Pictures show symptoms very characteristic of BYD. We should be keeping an eye out (scouting) for winter wheat and barley fields affected by the problem.
Symptoms include yellowing of leaves, stunting of plants both above and below ground (look for small root systems), and irregular heading with small heads in affected plants. Often, the most severe symptoms will occur along field edges and the edges created along the tracks of pivot tires. (Please see pictures.) There may also be a yellowing to a very characteristic reddening of leaves of infected weedy grasses in nearby ditch banks, which also host the virus and aphids. Additional symptoms may also include notching of the leaf margins, twisting, leaf tip scorch, and abnormal development of emerging leaves.
Yield losses increase with earlier infections, especially if the infection occurred in the previous fall (which is very likely to be the issue here) and can approach 100% in severely affected fields, especially in early-infected winter barley. Fall infection occurs as large populations of aphids migrate from other crops to newly emerged wheat or barley. Aphids are attracted to lush growth that occurs under irrigation, often leaving plants in dryland corners alone. Those plants emerging earlier or planted earlier were more likely to attract viruliferous aphids.
The species of aphids that can carry the BYDV viruses are many, but
the most common culprits include Bird cherry-oat aphids and English grain aphids. Greenbug and corn leaf aphids can also transmit the BYDV virus.
The virus strain identified by molecular techniques in 2013 (by Dr. Alex Karasev, UI virologist in Moscow) was the PAV strain of BYDV, which is efficiently transmitted by the Bird cherry oat aphid (Ropalosiphum padi) and the English grain aphid (Schizaphis avenae). Aphids can pick up the BYDV virus from infected wild and cultivated grasses, volunteer cereals, and corn.
The virus spreads only in conjunction with the movement of the aphid vector, and virus transmission is greater at low temperatures. The virus is not seed-borne.
At this point, reducing crop stress will reduce the effect of the virus on the plant, but yield losses will occur both through reduced grain production as well as reduced test weight. The most effective control is through the use of resistant varieties, but insecticidal seed treatments may reduce the initial spread in fall wheat and barley. Viruliferous
aphids will still transmit the virus in the fall before the insecticides kill the aphid, but as the insecticides wear off over time, new invading aphids will continue to transmit virus.
Current aphid populations are very low, and spring wheat and barley
should escape early infection. Reducing infection in the fall-planted grain includes adjusted (later) planting dates to avoid peak aphid activity.
» BYDV
Alfalfa cutworms
Alfalfa Magic Valley
Cutworms
Posted on: March 26, 2014 by Jeff Miller
Cutworm damage has been observed in newly seeded alfalfa in the Magic Valley. Details on this pest and control measures can be found by following the attached link.
Starane Ultra - Section 24(c) for Oregon
Onion Treasure Valley - Oregon
Posted on: March 24, 2014 by Stuart Reitz
label for the FIFRA Section 24(c) Special Local Need registration of Starane® Ultra, EPA Reg. No. 62719-577, for control of kochia, volunteer potatoes, and other broadleaf weeds in dry bulb onions grown in Oregon, EPA SLN No. OR-080026 has been revised.
The expiration date has been extended to December 31, 2018.
Webinar on the use of cover crops
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: March 3, 2014 by Nora Olsen
The American Society of Agronomy is sponsoring a four-part webinar series on the use of cover crops. There is no cost to participate, but enrollment is required at least one hour prior to the start time (11:00 am Mountain Time). The webinar schedule is as follows:
Cover Crops, Soil Health Principals and Maximizing Yields - March 6, 2014
Combining Livestock, Manure and Cover Crops - March 13, 2014
Cover Crops Seed Selection and Planting - March 20, 2014
Cover Crop Management and Termination - March 27, 2014
Each webinar will be conducted by a USDA scientist and a farmer who has experience with the use of cover crops. Full participants in the webinar, who are certified, will automatically receive CEUs. CCAs and CPAgs will receive 1.0 CEU in Soil and Water Management. CPSS and CPSC certificants will receive 1.0 CEU in Professional Meetings.
More information can be found at: https://www.agronomy.org/education/online-courses
Spanish Pesticide Safety Training
Announcements Treasure Valley
Posted on: February 4, 2014 by Jerry Neufeld
A Spanish Pesticide Safety Training will be held February 25, 2014 in Caldwell, Idaho. Click on the pdf below for more information.
Treasure Valley Bean School
Announcements Treasure Valley
Posted on: February 4, 2014 by Jerry Neufeld
The Treasure Valley Bean School will be February 12, 2014 at the Hampton Inn in Nampa, Idaho. Click on the pdf below for more information.
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Short Course and Grower’s Own
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: January 14, 2014 by Jennifer Miller
For Immediate Release
January 14, 2014
Contact:
Jennifer Miller, 208-850-6504, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Short Course and Grower’s Own Conference Set
Caldwell, ID – Farmers interested in enhancing the free pollination and pest management services of pollinators and beneficial insects are invited to attend a Friday, February 7 short course in Caldwell. The short course will be followed by the fifth annual Grower’s Own Conference, a farmer-to-farmer exchange and networking event, on Friday evening and Saturday, February 8.
The event is presented by the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP), Xerces Society, and University of Idaho Extension.
The latest science-based approaches to attracting and conserving beneficial insects will be presented by the Xerces Society, a national leader in pollinator conservation. Participants will learn how to conduct a habitat assessment; methods of incorporating pollinator and beneficial insects habitat around building sites, as annual plantings, or as permanent plantings in buffers and hedgerows; and conservation funding sources to support on-farm habitat installation.
Participants will receive the Xerces Society’s Pollinator Conservation toolkit, including the book, Attracting Native Pollinators: Protecting North America’s Bees and Butterflies. The toolkit is valued at $40.
A select number of participants will receive direct support from the Xerces Society and NCAP, following the short course, in conducting an on-farm habitat assessment and developing a habitat planting plan.
The fifth annual Grower’s Own Conference will be held following the short course. Friday evening will kick off the conference with “virtual” farm tours by Fred and Judy Brossy of Ernie’s Organics in Shoshone, Clay and Josie Erskine of Peaceful Belly Farm in Boise, and Karen Evans of Rollingstone Chevre in Parma.
The conference continues on Saturday, February 8 with a session on a new loan program supporting local foods by USDA Farm Service Agency and concurrent group discussions on a variety of topics. Attendees actively participate in the selection of the topics by voting during registration. Some of the topics under consideration include multispecies cover cropping; nuts & bolts of habitat installation; farm expansion considerations; agritourism; high tunnels; mechanical cultivation; farmers market sales strategies; food safety; starting livestock production; and value-added products.
The short course and conference will be held at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho. Registration fees are as follows: Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Short Course is $40; Grower’s Own Conference is $55; Both Short Course & Conference is $80. Pre-registration is required by January 24. Register online at www.pesticide.org or contact Jennifer Miller at jmiller@pesticide.org or 208-850-6504.
Funding is provided in part by USDA.
PestAlert evaluation gift certificates
Announcements All Locations
Posted on: December 13, 2013 by Jerry Neufeld
Thanks to everyone that recently completed an evaluation for the Pest Alert Network.
The winners of the $75 gift certificates to the Outback Steakhouse are Brett Lolley, Don Barowsky and Drew Glascock.
I will put the prizes in the mail today.
Miller Research Potato Pest Management Meeting
Potato All Locations
Posted on: December 3, 2013 by Jeff Miller
The 2013 Miller Research Potato Pest Management Seminar will be held December 16 and 17 (same program both days). The meetings start at 9:00 and conclude at 12:30. The cost is $10 and lunch will be provided. If you are planning on attending, but have not responded, please RSVP so that we can plan appropriately for lunch. A total of 3 CCA (integrated pest management) and 3 ISDA pesticide recertification credits are available. A complete agenda can be found on the attached flier.
UI Winter Extension Programs
Announcements All Locations
Posted on: November 21, 2013 by Jerry Neufeld
Click on the pdf below for dates and locations of University of Idaho 2013-2014 Winter Extension Programs. Some of these programs will offer credits for pesticide licenses.
test
All Crops Treasure Valley - Idaho
test
Posted on: November 21, 2013 by Jerry Neufeld
this is a test
FSMA Comment Period
Announcements Treasure Valley
Posted on: November 15, 2013 by Stuart Reitz
Due to the intermittent technical difficulties that have occurred in November with the website http://www.regulations.gov, which have prevented some people from submitting comments on FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act, FDA is providing more time for comments on both the proposed rule on produce safety and preventive controls for human food for an additional 7 days to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to comment.
This means that the close of the comment period, which was scheduled for today, November 15, will now be November 22.
You can continue to submit your comments at http://www.regulations.gov.
For more information on FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act, visit http://www.fda.gov/fsma.
Potato Pest Management Meeting
Potato All Locations
Posted on: November 15, 2013 by Jeff Miller
Miller Research LLC will be holding its annual potato pest management research meeting on Monday, December 16 and Tuesday, December 17. The same program will be repeated both days and seating in each session is limited to 45. The meetings will be held at the Miller Research facility located near Acequia, ID (426 E 200 N). The cost to attend is $10 and lunch will be provided. A detailed agenda with program topics is attached.
Please RSVP as to which session you would like to attend to Jeff Miller at 208-531-5124 or by email at: jeff@millerresearch.com so that we can get an accurate count for lunch and room preparation purposes.
A total of 3 ISDA pesticide recertification credits have been requested and 3 CCA credits (Integrated Pest Management) have been awarded.
» http://www.millerresearch.com/alerts/research-news/item/43-mr-potato-pest-management-workshop
Treasure Valley Irrigation Conference
Announcements Treasure Valley
Posted on: November 12, 2013 by Jerry Neufeld
The Treasure Valley Irrigation Conference will be held in Ontario, Or on December 17, 2013 at the Four Rivers Cultural Center. Click on the pdf below for more information about the program.
Pesticide Applicator Recertification Training
Announcements Treasure Valley - Idaho
Posted on: November 12, 2013 by Jerry Neufeld
A Pesticide Applicator Recertification Training sponsored by UI Extension and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture will be held on December 12, 2013 at the Caldwell Police Department public meeting room. Six license credits will be given out at the end of the day. Click on the pdf below for more information.
Pesticide MRL Workshop
Announcements All Locations
Posted on: November 8, 2013 by Jerry Neufeld
Attached is a flyer for an upcoming Pesticide Maximum Residue Level Workshop. Workshop is December 2, 9 am to 4:30 pm at Hampton Inn in Nampa, Idaho. Click on the pdf below for more information.
Pesticide MRL Workshop
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: November 8, 2013 by Jerry Neufeld
Attached is a flyer for an upcoming Pesticide Maximum Residue Level Workshop. Workshop is December 2, 9 am to 4:30 pm at Hampton Inn in Nampa, Idaho. Click on the pdf below for more information.
2013 IAPP Annual Meeting
Announcements All Locations
Posted on: October 30, 2013 by Jeff Miller
The final program for the 2013 Idaho Association of Plant Protection is finally available. The meeting will be held at the Sawtooth Inn Best Western in Jerome on November 5 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm and November 6 from 8:00 to 10:00 am. Registration begins at 12:00 pm on November 5. Please contact Jeff Miller at (208) 431-4420 if you have any questions.
ew Tart Cherry and Table Grape Insurance Coverage and Fruit
Tree Fruits All Locations
Insurance Coverage
Posted on: October 23, 2013 by Tony McCammon
New Tart Cherry and Table Grape Insurance Coverage and Fruit Sales Closing Dates
SPOKANE, Wash., Oct. 23, 2013 — USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced the coverage availability for Tart Cherry Actual Revenue History and Table Grape Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) programs for the 2014 crop year.
Tart Cherry (for processing) Actual Revenue History (ARH) Insurance is available in Adams, Franklin, and Grant counties in Washington.
Table Grape Crop Insurance is available in Canyon County, Idaho.
Fruit producers are reminded of the upcoming sales closing date Wednesday, November 20, for apple, blueberry, sweet and tart cherry actual revenue history, cranberry, grape, pear, table grape, and stonefruit crops (apricots, nectarines, freestone peaches, and plums/prunes).
Current policyholders and uninsured growers must make all of their decisions on crop insurance coverage before the sales closing date. If there is no coverage in a county for a specific crop under the traditional MPCI program; producers may ask a crop insurance agent whether they would be eligible for coverage under a written agreement.
Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2014 crop year. Federal crop insurance program policies are sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance companies and agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA service centers throughout the United States or on the RMA web site at www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents.
Spotted Wing Drosophila
Small Fruits Treasure Valley - Oregon
Spotted wing drosophila
Posted on: October 15, 2013 by Stuart Reitz
Spotted wing Drosophila has been detected in Malheur County. Larvae were found infesting raspberries collected from a homeowner’s garden in Ontario. Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is an invasive insect pest of economically valuable small fruit and tree fruit crops that was first identified in the Western United States in late 2008. Spotted wing drosophila has previously been confirmed in 2012 and 2013 in neighboring counties in Idaho (Canyon and Payette) so the discovery in Malheur County is not unexpected. In those Idaho counties, it has been found infesting raspberries, grapes and peaches.
Spotted wing drosophila differs from the common drosophila species such as Drosophila melanogaster that occur in Pacific Northwest fruit crops in that it can attack healthy, undamaged ripening fruit; the common species will only attack overripe, damaged, or dropped fruit. Drosophila larvae in sound ripening fruit are likely to be spotted wing drosophila. Spotted wing drosophila have the potential to be a very serious pest of tree and small fruits. Commercial fruit producers and home gardeners should take all appropriate management efforts for this pest, including:
Monitoring: check fruit regularly for ripeness, damage and presence of SWD. Commercial or home traps are useful for monitoring for SWD adults, and may be useful for control.
Sanitation: remove and destroy infested and overripe or damage fruit
Early harvest: harvest as early as possible to reduce exposure to SWD
Netting: while not practical for large commercial operations, netting may be useful small fruits, and small or single trees or tree branches.
Pesticides: This pest is new and limited information is available on pesticides for control of SWD, but sprays must be timed to kill adults before they lay eggs in fruit.
Please see the following websites for information on identification, biology, monitoring and management of spotted wing drosophila for additional and specific information. Because of the relatively recent nature of this introduction, the provided information is subject to change as we learn more about the biology of this pest.
Other Resources:
Identification and Management resources
Identification and biology:
http://spottedwing.org/
Identification card SWD males: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PDF/PMG/SWD_IDCard.pdf
Identification card SWD females: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PDF/PMG/SWD-ID-Dsuzukii.pdf
Monitoring, identification and management including trapping information:
http://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/pnw-insect-management-handbook/emerging-pest-spotted-wing-drosophila also see appropriate sections for each commodity, e.g. raspberry, from this list:
http://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/search/content/spotted%20wing%20Drosophila
http://jenny.tfrec.wsu.edu/opm/displaySpecies.php?pn=165
http://ipm.wsu.edu/small/pdf/Concord_Grape_SWD_Bulletin_v1_02.pdf
http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/ENT-140-10.pdf
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/EXOTIC/drosophila.html
Id. Assoc. Plant Protection Annual Mtg.
Announcements All Locations
Posted on: October 4, 2013 by Jerry Neufeld
The Idaho Association of Plant Protection is holding its annual meeting November 5-6 at the Sawtooth Best Western Inn in Jerome. Please see the attached memorandum for more information. Please feel free to share this invitation with anyone who may be interested.
Those interesting in presenting can fill in the attached form and return it to either Jeff Miller (jeff@millerresearch.com) or Oliver Neher (o.t.neher@gmail.com). Please contact either Jeff or Oliver if you have any additional questions.
Scouting for Armyworms in South East Idaho
All Crops All Locations
true armyworm
Posted on: October 2, 2013 by Arash Rashed, Juliet Marshall
Scouting for armyworms in South East Idaho
University of Idaho. Pest alert, October 2nd, 2013.
Dr. Arash Rashed, Insect Ecology and Entomology
Dr. Juliet M. Marshall, Cereal Agronomy and Pathology
Very high densities of true armyworms Pseudaletia unipuncta Haworth (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were observed in areas of South Eastern Idaho. The armyworm presence was confirmed in at least three fields in Pleasant Valley, following reports of unusual and severe defoliation of volunteer plants in harvested spring wheat (Figure 1). Here is provided some information on identifying armyworms, their lifecycle, and control measures.
What they look like? At this time of year (mid-late September) they could be found in their larval and pupal stages. Like other moth larvae and caterpillars, armyworms possess three pairs of true legs located closer to the head, on the first three segments of the body. There are a series of fleshy legs, or so-called prolegs, on the abdominal (4 pairs) and anal (1 pair) segments. Late instar larvae are approximately 1.5 inches long. Although their body color may vary, a series of orange, black, and brown stripes that run longitudinally along the side of their body is characteristic (Figure 2a). The head is relatively large and brown in color. A closer look at the head would reveal a brownish net-shaped pattern (Figure 2b). The face is characterized with an inverted Y, pale in color (Figure 2b).
Pupae are a shiny red-brown and about an inch long. They can be found just under the soil surface as the last instar (6th) larvae burrow underneath the surface to form a cell and pupate (Figure 3).
Adults are [relatively] heavy bodied moths with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. Moths are characterized with brownish forewings each with a small white spot in the center. Hind wings are mostly light tan to gray in color.
What is their life cycle? Armyworms are not expected to survive harsh winters of the northern states. Adult moths migrate from southern states and arrive sometime in spring (late April-May). Females lay hundreds of small white-ish eggs in clusters on lower leaves of grasses; eggs would hatch within a week or two. Larvae continue to feed on plant tissue for 3-4 weeks. The last instar larvae inflict the greatest damage. They are mostly active during the night and hide in plant debris and soil cracks during the day. We recommend scouting fields starting in late May, at least every two weeks, until harvest (also see ‘how to control’).
Infestations may start in natural grassy vegetation outside fields and/or nearby pastures, where they later move into crops such as corn and small grains (e.gs. wheat, barley, oat, etc.). Damage is primarily through defoliation but in small grains larvae also feed on flag leaves, flowers, and kernels. True armyworms have a strong preference to feed on grasses. However, if starved, they may start consuming hosts such as legumes (alfalfa, beans, etc.) and several other vegetables.
There can be more than one generation in a growing season; the number of generations depends on the environmental conditions. One generation can be completed in about 6-8 weeks, if environmental conditions are suitable.
How to control? Natural enemies often keep numbers low, and thus, outbreaks of armyworms are not common. Armyworms are preyed upon by predatory beetles and are also susceptible to parasitoids and pathogens. Therefore, high densities of armyworm populations are likely to crash on their own. On occasions, however, insecticidal treatments may be needed.
As larvae are exposed while feeding, foliar insecticides can be effective. The presence of 5 worms (and more) per square foot in a small-grain field at planting or early developmental stages requires treatment. Spraying very early in the morning is the most effective since larvae are active in dark and hide during the day. Since infestations are likely to be patchy, insecticide applications could be limited to specific area(s) within a field. In such case, make sure to also cover a good 40 feet-wide border to prevent armyworms from crawling into adjacent non-infested areas and fields.
Armyworms are relatively easy to control chemically, if pesticides are applied in the right time frame of their developmental stages. Most of the time, when the damage is spotted, it is already too late. This is because feeding by the large last-instar larva causes the most significant damage; at this point insecticidal applications would not be economically justified. Thus, effective monitoring is key to a targeted, timely, and subsequently, successful control.
Scout field margins frequently (every two weeks) for larvae presence and signs of defoliation. Disturbing the soil surface would also help to find pupae and larvae. Moth populations can be monitored with light and/or pheromone traps.
As with several other pests and pathogens, controlling grassy weeds and volunteers within and around field edges would help to eliminate food sources post-harvest. In addition, tillage would help to reduce armyworm populations prior to planting winter crops.
At this time of the year, in southeast Idaho, damaged volunteers could be used to spot the presence of high armyworm populations. If leaf damage is observed, search leaf debris and soil for curled up larvae; tillage in combination with sub-freezing winter temperatures are expected to dramatically reduce the remaining larvae and pupae.
For Additional Information See
Armyworm outbreak in Northern New York, Cornell University
Armyworm (Pseudaletia unipunctata Haworth), Insect Fact Sheet, University of Illinois
Armyworms and their control in the field, University of Missouri
Armyworm, University of Florida
» Figure 1
» Figure 2
» Figure 3
Pesticide Disposal Program
Announcements Treasure Valley - Idaho
Posted on: September 30, 2013 by Jerry Neufeld
Just want to remind everyone in the Treasure Valley, pesticide disposal at Pickle Butte Landfill is Thursday, October 3, 2013. Click on the pdf below for more detail.
potato psyllid & ZC update
Potato All Locations
potato psyllids and ZC
Posted on: September 27, 2013 by Erik Wenninger
Nearly all of the fields in the U-Idaho potato psyllid monitoring program have undergone vine kill. Of the sites still being monitored, psyllid numbers are for the most part similar to counts from recent weeks. On a few sites we recorded psyllids for the first time this year. We are still waiting on some Lso testing results, but so far no new psyllids have tested positive for Lso, the bacterium that causes ZC. A few vine-killed / harvested sites in the Magic and Treasure Valleys that tended to have had the most psyllids will continue to be monitored for a few more weeks. In addition, suspected overwintering sites will be monitored during the off-season.
Detailed monitoring results can be found here:
http://extension.uidaho.edu/kimberly/2013/04/2013-psyllid-updates/
Stripe rust in winter wheat in Montana
Small Grains All Locations
Stripe rust
Posted on: September 27, 2013 by Juliet Marshall
Please take note that stripe rust in winter wheat was confirmed in Montana by Mary Burrows, Montana State University extension pathologist. This does not mean that we have it in Idaho; however anyone growing Brundage soft white winter wheat should scout for signs and symptoms! Please contact Juliet Marshall (jmarshall@uidaho.edu) if you suspect stripe rust in susceptible varieties. Check Brundage and Moreland first, but keep an eye out no matter what varieties you have.
There is a lot of green bridge material out there! So watch for insects (especially aphids) and diseases.
