Thanks to our 2026 Sponsors:
  • Idaho Potato Commission
  • Snake River Sugar Research and Seed Alliance
  • Idaho Alfalfa & Clover Seed Commission

Search Results

Your search for "All Alerts" in All Alerts
yielded 2129 results.

Swipe Left or Right to navigate Alerts

This is a test

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: April 29, 2008 by Steve Norberg

This is a test.

cutworms in sugarbeets

Sugarbeets    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: April 24, 2008 by

Amalgamated Sugar Company Field Reps are reporting cutworms were found in sugarbeets near Bruneau and Grandview. There are many species of cutworms that attack sugarbeets, but all are nocturnal, so you may see injury but not readily find the insect damaging the plants. If you see skips in the field, dig around in the soil where you would have expected a plant and you will likely find the lower portion of a cut plant. Larvae are often found less than an inch below the soil surface near a damaged plant. If you have any questions, contact your Amalgamated Fieldman.

Tree Fruit Frost Alert through Tuesday

All Crops    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: April 18, 2008 by Tony McCammon

Frost warnings that are in effect through Tuesday. Low temperatures will be dropping to the mid to low 20’s. Fruit blossoms and buds will be susceptible to losses.

See attached Table on critical temperatures for flower and bud damage.

Orchardists use heaters if available, or turn on wind machines.

Homeowners use overhead irrigation, but this can be costly. The idea is to cover the buds and blossoms with water that will freeze, forming an ice layer. Remember that water freezes at 32 degrees F, and a permanent, uninterrupted layer of ice throughout the frost period will insulate flowers and buds. The ice must remain until the daytime air temperatures rise above freezing.

The last freeze will occur 2 out of 10 years after May 4 at a temperature of 28 degrees or less in Payette County, May 6th in Emmett and Parma, May 13th in Weiser, and April 27th in Caldwell.

tree stages:

Apple Peach Cherry Apricot
Payette 1/2"green pink bud-swell bloom
Fruitland cluster pink bud-swell bloom
Parma pre-pink pink bud-swell post-blm
Emmett cluster bloom white bud post-blm
Sunnyslope cluster bloom white bud post-blm

A 10% loss of a tree’s flowers may be tolerable for some growers. They may consider it as a thinning technique this year.

As you have seen we have had a cool spring thus far and are quite a bit behind what we have been in previous years. If this keeps up it may give growers the upper hand on coddling moth this year.

DD Temperatures as compared to the last 3 years
Here are DD from March 1 for the past years as of April 18 AM each year in Payette. Courtesy of Bill Ford:

2005 119
2006 75
2007 169
2008 64

New Potato GAP Website and Manual

Potato    All Locations

Posted on: April 17, 2008 by Nora Olsen

The University of Idaho has designed a new comprehensive organizational manual and website for potato growers to help simplify the necessary requirements to successfully pass the USDA GAP Audit. At the website you can easily access the documents and make necessary changes appropriate to your farming operation. Documents also include examples of employee policy forms in both English and Spanish, Standard Operating procedures (SOP) as related to the current Audit, and additional website information. All information is present on the website to compile a hard-copy manual in a 3-ring binder with all related documents inserted.
The website is:


http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/gap.htm


When changes occur to the audit or with the documents provided at this website, an email notification will be sent via PNWPestalert. Feel free to contact me directly regarding suggestions for the website and documents (Nora Olsen, 208-736-3621; norao@uidaho.edu).

Fungicides applied with Herbicides / stripe rust control

Small Grains    All Locations

Posted on: March 31, 2008 by Juliet Windes and Brad Brown

We have had several questions in regard to early application of fungicides timed with herbicide applications and effectiveness in either increasing yield or providing disease protection. I only have 2 years worth of data (2 PDMRs) that directly address this question in spring wheat, which can be accessed at the South-central / Southeast Idaho Cereals website: http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/scseidaho/ under “Publications”. In 2006, we had enough late season stripe rust to damage yield in a very susceptible spring wheat variety. In the 2006 experiment, we saw a 1.3 bu increase with reduced rate (7 fl oz/A) of Quilt applied at herbicide timing and a 2.8 bu increase with (6 fl oz/ A) Headline applied at herbicide timing over the untreated control. We have NOT seen a statistically significant yield benefit with application of fungicides at herbicide application in 2006 or 2007, where the plants were in the 4-5 leaf stage at time of herbicide treatment. In 2006, where stripe rust was present at damaging levels late in the season, early application of Headline and Maestro at Feekes 3 did not reduce stripe rust over the untreated control (63.8% leaf area affected with early Headline versus 65.6% in the untreated control). Disease control with Headline alone at Feekes 8 resulted in 26.3% leaf area diseased and 82.5 bu/A as opposed to the early Headline treatment at 63.8% disease, and 72.5 bu/A. The yield and disease differences were significant at the 5% level.

In 2007, we did not have significant stripe rust. In experiment 2 (2007) we saw a 0.9 bu increase with 6 oz/A Headline, a 1.0 bu increase with reduced rate of Quilt (7 oz/A), and 1.3 bu decrease with a reduced rate of (6 oz/A) Stratego, when these fungicides were applied with herbicides. For Quilt, the rates were at a ½ rate of 7 fl oz/A at herbicide application versus 14 fl oz/A for full application at heading. Headline was applied at 6 fl oz/A with an herbicide and at 6 fl oz/A at heading. Stratego was 6 fl oz/A with herbicide or 10 fl oz/A at heading. Obviously, results may vary depending upon year and location, and multiple replicated trials over several years will give us the best answer. Talking with our BASF rep, early Headline recommendations are full rate (6 fl oz/A), for which they say they consistently (80% of the time) see 2-3 bu/A increase, and more often an average 6 bu/A increase in yield in unreplicated on-farm trials in wheat and barley.
In general, fungicides are recommended to control disease and protect yield when there is disease in the area; for example, as soon as stripe rust is present. In varieties that are very susceptible, that may mean an early protective fungicide application in with the herbicides when stripe rust or other diseases are in the area. However, in many cases, effective disease control and yield protection is achieved with one application to protect the flag leaf and / or the developing head, as late as allowed by the label. In the past, when disease becomes an issue, the greatest benefit to yield is application between flag leaf emergence and flowering, depending upon when the disease is present. Experiments in Kansas do not support split applications of fungicides to control disease. In years with low disease pressure, an overall 2.5% increase in yield was seen with split applications of fungicides, but fungicide applications were NOT timed for application with herbicides (Erick De Wolf, Bill Bockus, Bob Bowden, Kansas State University).

I do not think there would be any benefit of foliar fungicides for control of root rots, as those that are "locally" systemic are not readily translocated down into the root system. Any systemic translocation will more likely be in an upward direction, so control of root rots is highly unlikely. Root rot control would be best managed with seed health practices, such as in-furrow fertility and seed treatments, even with second-year grain. As far as second year of wheat or barley, if there are foliar pathogens present early (and it depends on the disease, like scald in barley), then I think there may be some benefit in disease control, but little benefit in yield. Diseases like scald and spot blotch tend to dissipate with warmer, dryer weather anyway. So I am not recommending foliar application of fungicides simply because a grower went back-to-back grain. Spraying fungicides for disease control is really only effective when disease is present and only after flag leaf emergence to heading. There seems to be no real benefit from 2 applications of fungicides within a season. Appropriate rotation and plant health practices remain the best insurance for a healthy crop (in our area). Fungicides are effective when disease threatens yield and the best yield protection comes after flag leaf emergence, but especially at heading to flowering.

DO NOT delay weed control applications to target potential disease problems. You will lose more yield to weed competition than gain by trying to target an early season fungicide application.

At current prices, a 2-3 bu yield increase should pay for most fungicides when incorporated into the herbicide treatment. However, in our area, we usually have very little foliar disease pressure. In areas where disease pressure can be significant early in the season (say, stripe rust in the Palouse), then I would consider early-season application based on significance of disease in the area. However, routinely applying low-levels of fungicides for “just-in-case” protection may contribute to the occurrence and buildup of fungicide resistance in fungal populations and is counter to the integrated pest management principals developed to reduce pesticides in the environment and we need to carefully consider any additional input costs.


test

All Crops    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: March 26, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

test

AgrAbility Project

Announcements    All Locations

Posted on: March 26, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

When one family member has a disability, it has an impact on the whole family. This is especially true on farms and ranches where the work is often physically demanding. The Idaho AgrAbility Project offers farmers, ranchers, and members of their families with disabilities the opportunity to work with an Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) to determine what steps can be taken to adapt their tasks, facilities, or equipment to better meet their needs. The project also offers training to help families meet the challenge of farming or ranching with a disability.

For more information about the Idaho AgrAbility Project click on “Crop Info,” “Announcements,” and “AgrAbility Project” or contact United Cerebral Palsy in Boise at 377-8070 or 888-289-3289.

AgrAbility Project

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: March 26, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

When one family member has a disability, it has an impact on the whole family. This is especially true on farms and ranches where the work is often physically demanding. The Idaho AgrAbility Project offers farmers, ranchers, and members of their families with disabilities the opportunity to work with an Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) to determine what steps can be taken to adapt their tasks, facilities, or equipment to better meet their needs. The project also offers training to help families meet the challenge of farming or ranching with a disability.

For more information about the Idaho AgrAbility Project click on “Crop Info,” “Announcements,” and “AgrAbility Project” or contact United Cerebral Palsy in Boise at 377-8070 or 888-289-3289.

test

All Crops    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: March 25, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

this is a test

AgrAbility Project

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: March 25, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

When one family member has a disability, it has an impact on the whole family. This is especially true on farms and ranches where the work is often physically demanding. The Idaho AgrAbility Project offers farmers, ranchers, and members of their families with disabilities the opportunity to work with an Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) to determine what steps can be taken to adapt their tasks, facilities, or equipment to better meet their needs. The project also offers training to help families meet the challenge of farming or ranching with a disability.

For more information about the Idaho AgrAbility Project click on “Crop Info,” “Announcements,” and “AgrAbility Project” or contact United Cerebral Palsy in Boise at 377-8070 or 888-289-3289.

AgrAbility Project

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: March 20, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

AgrAbility Helps Farmers with Disabilities
When one family member has a disability, it has an impact on the whole family. This is especially true on farms and ranches where the work is often physically demanding. The Idaho AgrAbility Project offers farmers, ranchers, and members of their families with disabilities the opportunity to work with an Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) to determine what steps can be taken to adapt their tasks, facilities, or equipment to better meet their needs. The project also offers training to help families meet the challenge of farming or ranching with a disability.

For more information about the Idaho AgrAbility Project, contact United Cerebral Palsy in Boise at 377-8070 or 888-289-3289. Click on the thumbnails below for more information.

website testing

All Crops    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: March 10, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

Sorry for inconvenience, we are doing some website testing.

Malheur County Weed Tour

Announcements    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: March 10, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

The weed research program at the Malheur Experiment Station would like to announce the “Treasure Valley Weed Tour” on Thursday, June 5, 2008 in Ontario Oregon. Registration will start at 8:30AM at the Malheur Experiment Station, 595 Onion Ave, Ontario, OR 97914 and the tour will start at 9:00AM. Lunch will be provided at noon.

For more information and if you are planning to attend, please contact Janet Jones janet.jone@oregonstate.edu or call 541-889-2174.

Joel Felix, Ph.D., Oregon State University/Malheur Exp Station, 595 Onion Ave
Ontario, OR 97914

Key issues on the family farm series

All Crops    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: March 5, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

Risk Management Agency, Idaho Agri-Women and Canyon Agricultural Foundation for Education are sponsoring an educational series entitled “Key Issues on the Family Farm.” The topic on March 6 is “The New Idaho Niche: Buy Local, Sell Local”; the March 13th topic is “Stop the Family Tree from Falling on You! How to keep the business in the family and the family in the business”; and the March 20th topic is “Are you an Outlaw or an In-Law? Family business conflict prevention and resolution.”
Seminars are from 6 to 9 pm at the Hampton Inn in Nampa, ID. Seminars are free and refreshments will be served. Space in limited, RSVP online at www.ccfb.net or call 658-5956.

Cull Onion Disposal

Onion    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: March 3, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REMINDS THE ONION INDUSTRY OF THE CULL ONION DISPOSAL RULES FOR THE CONTROL OF
ONION MAGGOT

BOISE, Idaho – March 15th is the deadline for disposing of cull onions in Ada, Canyon, Gem, Payette, Owyhee and Washington counties, according to Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) rules.

That means there must be no culls – onions deemed waste or not useable for human consumption – on hand at any packing sheds, infields or at animal feed facilities on the morning of that date. Onions sorted after March 15th must be properly disposed of within one week. Trucks transporting onions should be covered to prevent spillage along roadsides.

A civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation may be enforced under the Plant Pest Act of 2002. There are several options for proper disposal under the rule, including pit burial, feeding, composting, spreading, chopping and shredding. The ISDA publication “Cull Onion Disposal in Idaho” details the various options for proper disposal. The University of Idaho’s “Best Management Practices for Pit Disposal of Cull Onions” (publication CIS 1064) is referenced in the rules and is available through the University of Idaho Extension Service.

Michael Cooper, Agricultural Bureau Chief for the ISDA’s Division of Plant Industries, said the regulations are aimed at reducing the potential for damage to Idaho’s onion crop.

“The larval stage of the onion maggot attacks and destroys portions of the onion bulb, providing an avenue for fungi and bacteria to cause bulbs to rot during storage,” Cooper said. “With consecutive years of wet springs, the insect has been known to destroy 80 percent to 90 percent of the crop. We frequently find the onion maggot in cull onion piles.”

The maggot adult flies emerge in April and May and are attracted to the volatile odors given off by sprouting onions and new seedlings. Each onion maggot can destroy up to two dozen seedlings during its two-week lifespan, so crop damage can be substantial. If not properly disposed of, culls serve as breeding and egg-laying sites for the adult flies.

A copy of the cull onion disposal rules, as well as the publication “Cull Onion Disposal in Idaho” and other ISDA rules, can be obtained from the State of Idaho Homepage at: http://adm.idaho.gov/adminrules/rules/idapa02/0617.pdf

Cooper said that the regulations have been in effect for several years and the program is working well. “We have received excellent cooperation from the onion industry. Let us continue to work together to protect Idaho’s onion industry.”

Chemical Fruit Fair: Feb 22

Tree Fruits    Treasure Valley - Oregon

Posted on: February 15, 2008 by Tony McCammon

Ontario Sizzler Restaurant

Registration starts at 8:00

Lunch is provided.
See you there!

Spanish Pesticide Safety Training

Announcements    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: February 7, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

The University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture will conduct a Spanish Pesticide Safety Training (conducted entirely in Spanish) on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at the Vendome Activity Center (309 State Street) in Weiser, ID. The program will run from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Topic items include Pesticide Handlers Safety Training; Pesticide Safety, Storage, Transport & Clean-up; Field Scouting; Personal Protective Equipment; and the Worker Protection Standard. The program is free and includes refreshments and lunch. To RSVP or for more information contact the Canyon County Extension Office at 459-6003 by Friday, February 15.

IPPMA Meeting

Announcements    All Locations

Posted on: February 6, 2008 by Nora Olsen

The annual Idaho Potato Pest Management Association (IPPMA) meeting is scheduled for February 7, 2008 at the Odd Fellow’s Hall, Wendell, Idaho. All are welcome. The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Lunch is provided. Two (2) Idaho Pesticide Recertification credits are available.

Topics will include:
•Potato Leaf Roll Virus, Green Peach Aphids and the IPPMA
•PVY in Idaho 2007
•Affect of stress on tuber quality
•Update on Potato Cyst Nematode in Idaho
•Commodity Trends Shaping Idaho Agriculture
•Managing white mold: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
•Regent: A New Insecticide for Wireworm Control in Potatoes

If you have any questions, contact Nora Olsen at 736-3621 or norao@uidaho.edu

Cereal Schools for Southeast Idaho

Announcements    Eastern Idaho

Posted on: January 28, 2008 by Juliet Windes

Don't forget the UI Cereal Schools scheuled for this week (as long as the weather doesn't prevent travel!). For the entire agenda, see our website and click on "Upcoming Events." http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/scseidaho/

Registration is at 8:30 AM. A $10 registration fee will help offset the cost of lunch.
January 30: Pocatello
January 31: Idaho Falls and Ashton
February 1: Preston (fire house)

Burley Cereal School

Announcements    Magic Valley

Posted on: January 28, 2008 by Juliet Windes

Don't forget the Burley Cereal School scheuled for tomorrow, January 29, 2008. For the entire agenda, see our website and click on "Upcoming Events." http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/scseidaho/

Registration is at 8:30 AM, at the Burley Inn, Exit 208, 800 N. Overland Ave. A $10 registration fee will help offset the cost of lunch.

Crop Protection Seminars

Announcements    Eastern Idaho

Posted on: January 22, 2008 by Juliet Windes

Six state recertification credits and 5.5 CCA credits will be available for attendees to this years' Crop Protection Seminars in Idaho Falls and Pocatello. Idaho Falls Seminar Will be 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Tuesday, February 5th. Pocatello's will be during the same time frame on February 6th. The first half of the day will mostly deal with cereal diseases and pest problems, and the pesticides used to control them, and the second half will mostly be about potato disease and pest problems. For agenda details, please see the UI Cereals Extension Website at:
http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/scseidaho/
If attending, please RSVP to Juliet Windes at jwindes@uidaho.edu or 208-529-8376. We need to know the number fo people going at each location in order to plan lunch. And lunch is FREE!

OSU Pesticide Short Course

Announcements    All Locations

Posted on: January 17, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

Below is information about the Oregon State University Extension Pesticide Chemistry, Toxicology, and Policy Short Course at the Convention Center in Ontario on February 13-14, 2008.

Tentative Agenda

Wednesday, February 13
12:00- 1:00 p.m. Registration
1:00 -1:15 p.m. What can we learn from our mistakes? What at Stake? – Lynn Jensen, OSU
1:15 – 1:45 p.m. Importance of following Labels & Laws – Ronda Hirnyck, UI
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. IR-4 Minor Crop Registration – Joe DeFrancesco, OSU
2:30- 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Mode of Action of Herbicides – Andy Hulting, OSU
3:30 -4:15 p.m. Pesticide Drift Mitigation in the Columbia Basin – Larry Bennett, OSU
4:15 -5:00 p.m. Pesticide Stewardship Partnerships – Kevin Masterson, DEQ EPA Fumigant
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
_____________________________________________________________________________

Thursday, February 14
7:00-8:00 a.m. Registration
8:00 – 8:40 a.m. Vegetative Buffers to Protect Water Resources – Sandy Halstead, EPA Reg. 10
8:45 – 9:30 a.m. EPA Fumigant Mitigation Proposal – Dirk Helder- EPA Office of Pesticide Programs
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. Pesticide Use Reporting – Laurie Gordon, ODA
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 – 11:10 a.m. Environmental Monitoring – Kim Anderson, OSU
11:15 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Registration of New Pesticides – Laurie Gordon, ODA
12:00-1:00 pm Lunch


1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Pesticide Impacts on Aquatic Resources in the PNW – Jeff Jenkins, OSU
1:45 -2:30 p.m. Pesticide Lawsuits Update and How They Affect You – Laurie Gordon, ODA
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Herbicide Fate after spraying – Jeff Jenkins, OSU
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. Basic Principles Toxicology – Kaci Agle, OSU
4:15 – 5:00 p.m. Overview of National Pesticide Information Center – Melody Johnson, OSU
5:00 p.m. Adjourn


OSU Short Course Registration Form

Name:__________________________________ Phone:________________

Address:______________________________________________________

City:_______________________ State:________________ Zip:_________

License #:____________________________

Registration Fee: Before January 31 - $60.00
After January 30 - $65.00

Please make checks payable to: OSU, Agriculture Research Foundation (ARF)
Mail fee and registration form to: Malheur County Extension Office
710 SW 5th Ave Ontario, OR 97914

For any additional information, please contact the Malheur County Extension Office at 541-881-1417.

There will be 12 Idaho and Oregon pesticide license credits and 9 CCA credits.

2008 Eastern Idaho Cereal Schols

Small Grains    Eastern Idaho

Posted on: January 15, 2008 by Juliet Windes

The 2008 Eastern Idaho Cereal School Agendas are now posted at http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/scseidaho/ under "Upcoming Events".

Jan 29th - Burley, Burley Inn
Jan 30th - Pocatello, Holiday Inn
Jan 31st - Idaho Falls, Red Lion Inn
Jan 31st - Ashton, Trails Inn

On-site registration for all starts at 8:30 AM. Topics include variety updates, fertilizer, disease and weed control issues, alternative oilseed crops, and more. Contact your local county extension office for more information, or call Juliet Windes, UI Cereal Cropping Systems Agronomist and Pathologist, at 208-542-5868.

Idaho/Oregon Winter Alfalfa Seed School

Announcements    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: January 4, 2008 by Jerry Neufeld

The 2008 Idaho-Oregon Alfalfa Seed Growers Winter Meeting will be held Tuesday January 15, 2008 from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM at the Four Rivers Cultural Center (676 SW 5th Ave) in Ontario, Oregon.

Highlights of the program are:
• Status of Roundup Ready Alfalfa – Sidney Able,
APHIS, USDA
• How Effective are the New Soft Insecticides in
Alfalfa Seed - Dr. Jim Barbour, University of Idaho
• Update on Pesticides Issues – Katy Coba
Director, Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Green Ketchup, Dodos and Edsels – Pat Takasugi,
The Weatherman

2 Oregon and Idaho Pesticide Credits Applied have been applied for, buffet Lunch Provided

Please RSVP to Malheur County Extension Office at 541-881-1417 by January 10, 2008. Ask for Steve Norberg if you have questions.

Gift certificates to Outback Steakhouse

Announcements    All Locations

Posted on: December 7, 2007 by Jerry Neufeld

Thanks to everyone that completed an evaluation survey. Winners of the two gift certificates to Outback Steakhouse are: Bob Simerly from Nyssa, OR and Steve Martineau from Nampa, ID. Gift certificates will be mailed today.

Please Wait... Your request is being processed...