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Pesticide Credits for Recertification - August 2021

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: July 13, 2021 by Kimberly Tate

The University of Idaho (UI) Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program is offering online webinars for pesticide recertification credit via Zoom video conferencing. 

Tuesday, Aug. 3 at 10 AM MDT – Daniel Sandoval, Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Pesticide Training Specialist: New ISDA Pesticide and Chemigation Rules

Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 10 AM MDT – Brad Stokes, UI Extension Educator Elmore County: Toxicity and Non-Target Effects of Pesticides to Idaho Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

Each webinar is $10 per applicator. Completed webinars receive one pesticide credit and great information! Note: Enrollment will close 8 AM (Mountain Time) on the day of the webinar.

How to enroll for the webinar(s):

1. Visit our website: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/ipm. 

2. Be prepared to provide your email and applicator license number.

Note: From cals-ipm@uidaho.edu we will send instructions on how to access Zoom (no camera or account required).

For questions or comments, contact Kimberly Tate, UI Extension at ktate@uidaho.edu or (208) 364-4581.

Upcoming Cereal Field Days - Rupert / Minidoka

Small Grains    All Locations

Cereals Field Days

Posted on: July 11, 2021 by Juliet Marshall

Upcoming field day this week - Rupert Minidoka!

9:00 AM

Thursday, July 15th

Starting at Winter trials: intersection of 400 E and 900 N. Spring trials: 2 miles east of winter plots on 600 E, 900 N   

Hope to see you there!

Cheers,

Juliet

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho

» UI_Extension_2021_Cereals_Field_Days_For_Southern_Eastern_ID2.pdf

Psyllid Update July 8, 2021

Potato    All Locations

Potato Psyllid

Posted on: July 8, 2021 by Lucy Standley

This week we
had traps deployed in 73 of the 76 fields (96%) monitored this year and we
found a total of 139 psyllids across 30 (41%) of the 73 fields. We are waiting
to receive cards from 9 more sites.

Psyllids were
collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Payette (1
field), Canyon (12 fields), Gem (1 field), Owyhee (3 fields), Elmore (2
fields), Gooding (1 field), Jerome (2 fields), Twin Falls (5 fields), Minidoka
(2 fields), and Power (1 field).

Lso results are
still pending due to shipping delays, but results will be posted on our site
(below) once results are in.

Thus far,
psyllid captures are tending to be a bit higher than they were at this time the
last two years. We urge growers to watch psyllid numbers closely during the
coming weeks and to have their IPM programs in place.

More information
can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news

--Click on the
links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.

--Click on the
“Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and
zebra chip biology and management.

» http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news

2021 Potato psyllid monitoring program in Idaho

Potato    All Locations

potato psyllid

Posted on: July 2, 2021 by Erik Wenninger

The University
of Idaho and our crop consultant collaborators across the state are once again monitoring
for potato psyllids, zebra chip disease (ZC), and liberibacter (Lso), the
bacterium associated with ZC. The monitoring program covers commercial potato
fields throughout southern Idaho and is funded in part by the Idaho Potato
Commission and generous in-kind contributions by our cooperators.

Our official monitoring
season began with wide deployment of traps this week and will continue for 10
to 12 weeks. We should have about 76 fields across the state this year, using 4
sticky traps per field at all sites.

In early to mid-June
we began monitoring in three fields at the Kimberly R&E Center (KREC) and in
eight commercial fields in the Treasure Valley (mostly in Canyon County). On
traps retrieved during the weeks of June 14, 21, and 28, we captured a total of
1, 4, and 8 potato psyllids, respectively, among our fields at KREC. Among seven
of the eight fields in the Treasure Valley, we captured an average of about 2
psyllids per field during each of the last two weeks; however, in one Canyon
County field, we captured 19 psyllids this week.

All psyllids
tested so far from the previous weeks have been negative for Lso. We expect to
have more Lso results next week.

More details and
additional information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news

--Click on the
links under “Updated weekly reports” on the right for details on trap captures.

--Click on the
“Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and
zebra chip biology and management.

» http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news

INSECT PHOTOS NEEDED

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: July 2, 2021 by Jerry Neufeld

As a
component of a USDA-funded project, Harnessing
artificial intelligence for implementing integrated pest management in
small-grain production systems, the University of Idaho is
developing a system to automatically
identify insects in wheat and other crops based on submitted cellphone images.
To develop this system, we
need your help with collecting a large number of
photographs of pests and beneficial insects observed in cereal cropping systems
(cereals and rotation crops) throughout the region. We will use these photos
(hopefully thousands) to train our computer algorithm to enable the system to
generate the most accurate identifications of unknown samples.

To help
us develop this tool, please upload insect photographs through this link: https://cerealpestaid.net/

2021 Turfgrass Mowing Height & Watering

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley

Posted on: June 22, 2021 by Nic Usabel

The weather in the Treasure Valley is warming quickly! 

MOWING

Now is the time to check the mowing height at which your turfgrass is cut. Increasing the length of grass blade encourages a deeper root growth and provides more shade cover of the soil surface reducing water evaporation. 

For summer mowing height Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue are recommended to be maintained at 3 inches, perennial ryegrass at 2 inches, and tall fescue at 4 inches. Ensure that the mower blade is sharp and follow the one-third rule; remove no more than one-third of the leaf growth each mowing. 

Grass clipping which are left on the lawn by mulching decompose quickly, feed soil organisms, recycle plant nutrients, and increase organic matter in the soil. 

WATERING

The goal of irrigation is to keep the lawn healthy when rainfall is not dependable. The key is to moisten the top 10 inches to 12 inches of the root zone. Watering deeply (10 to 12 inches) but infrequently produces healthy turf. Practicing deep watering reduces weed populations, benefits landscape trees and shrubs, increases water use efficiency, and forces an exchange of soil atmosphere with each irrigation. Early morning is the best time to water. 

Determining how deep irrigation water goes can be done by using a soil probe or shovel to check soil moisture the day after irrigation. At 10 to 12 inches deep the soil should feel slightly damp. If the soil feels dry at the 10- to 12-inch depth increase the duration of water application to fill the root zone. As weather conditions change this fall adjust the frequency of irrigation to maintain plant available water in the root zone. Frequency of irrigation refers to the number of days between each water application.

Identifying or knowing soil type will help to determine the frequency of water application, rate of water infiltration, and the soils water holding capacity. For example, heavy clay soils have a greater water holding capacity, but have a slower infiltration rate (speed at which water enters the soil). These soils can be watered less frequently and may need multiple application of water on day of watering to allow water to move into the soil.  Sandy soils have less water holding capacity and a greater infiltration rate. These soils need to be watered more frequently to maintain comparable turf. 

For a more calculated approach to water application reference the publication links below. 

• Watering Home Lawns: How Much and How Often
• Watering Home Lawns & Landscapes
• Idaho Landscapes & Garden Website: Lawn & Turf

» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1157.pdf

» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1098.pdf

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/garden/landscapes/lawn

CANCELLED! The July 8th Snake River Weed Control Tour

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: June 22, 2021 by Pamela Hutchinson

The 2021 Snake River Weed Control Tour July 8th at the University of Idaho Aberdeen R&E Center has been cancelled. We hope to see you next year!

July 8th UI Snake River Weed Mgt Tour - Aberdeen R&E Center

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: June 15, 2021 by Pamela Hutchinson

2021 UI Snake River Weed Management Tour – Potatoes and Specialty Crops
Aberdeen R&E Center, Thursday July 8th
Registration begins at 8:30 am
Tour 9a to 12:30p
• Herbicide Tank Mixes for Weed Control in Potatoes.
• Chateau – Fierce – Mauler.
• Anthem Flex Tank Mixtures,
• Sonalan Tank Mixtures for Weed Control in Potatoes.
• Potato Variety Tolerance to Sulfentrazone.
• Potato Variety Tolerance Trials.
• Excess Rainfall Effect on Herbicides and Potato injury.
• Quinoa herbicide screening.
• Litchi tomato herbicide management.
• Herbicide Mechanism of Action Demonstration Plots.
Pest Management Updates and Information:
• Albert Adjesiwor, Weed Scientist, Kimberly R&E Center

Three Idaho Pesticide Applicator Credits will be offered.
For more information contact Pamela J.S. Hutchinson phutch@uidaho.edu 208-681-1304

UI Ag Talk Tuesday June 15, 11AM

All Crops    All Locations

General announcment

Posted on: June 15, 2021 by Kasia Duellman

The next Ag Talk Tuesday session is tomorrow,  June 15 at 11 AM (MDT).

Registration is required. Register by clicking this link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd-ugrzktHdEEbqB3aHk3rlJLgCeSkCLz 

Or, visit our website for more information: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday 

The live session will begin with a roundtable crop update - listen, contribute, discuss current season crop issues. Crop updates are followed by featured presentations by guest speakers.

June 15 featured presentations:

— PVP and Title V and the implications and impacts for producers — Jeremy Tamsen, Director, Office of Technology Transfer 

• If you have questions related to what PVP and Title V mean to saving and selling seed, then please join us for Jeremy Tamsen’s presentation and discussion!

— Post-emergence herbicides for broadleaf and grass control in potatoes — Pam Hutchinson, UI Associate Professor & Extension Specialist (Potato Cropping Systems Weed Scientist)

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

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

Rare Mint Pest Found in Midwest Mint Field

Mint    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Endothenia nubilana

Posted on: June 7, 2021 by Jerry Neufeld

Steve Salisbury, from the Mint Industry Research Council,
is reporting that a new rare pest has been found in a Midwest mint field.  The pest is Endothenia nubilana, a Lepitoptera
insect in the Tortricidae family. Click on the pdf below for more
information.

» https://mailchi.mp/ostlund/tough-herbicide-pyridate-announcement-5212005?e=203be8b62d

2021 Fruit Thinning

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley

Posted on: June 2, 2021 by Nic Usabel

Fruits which are crowded should be thinned. Apples, pears,
Asian pears, apricots, plums, and peaches all respond positively to thinning.
Cherries and nut trees are  usually not thinned. Thinning fruit will 1) increase
fruit size, 2) improve the trees  productivity in the year to come, and 3)
reduce limb breakage as fruits begin to  size. Too many fruits on a tree
translates into small fruit that is often of poor quality.

General rules for thinning: 1) The earlier the better, 2)
remove smaller fruits and  leave the larger ones, 3) remove fruits with disease
spots, hail damage, or other  defects, 4) aim for even spacing. 

General guidelines by fruit – see links below for additional
detail.

• Apples & pears:  Almost always need thinning. Should be thinned
  to one  fruit per spur with a good spacing of one fruit per 6” of branch.  Asian pears  spaced at one fruit per 6-8” of branch. Be careful not to break off spurs  while
  thinning – spurs produce flowers and fruit for many years if not  broken.
  Recommend to thin apples within 40 days of full bloom and pears within 60 days
  of full bloom.
• Peaches & nectarines: Should be
  spaced at one fruit per 6-8” of branch.  Fruits that are joined should be
  removed. Recommend to thin peaches  about 70 days past full bloom. 
• Plums: Should be thinned to have
  spacing at 6” between fruit along the  branch.
• Apricots: If tree experiences heavy
  fruit set thin fruit spaced to 3” along  branch.

» https://extension.wsu.edu/maritimefruit/fruit-thinning-for-high-quality/

» http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/8047.pdf

UI Ag Talk Tuesday June 1 at 11:00 AM

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: May 31, 2021 by Kasia Duellman

Please Join us for the next Ag Talk Tuesday, June 1 at 11 AM.

These online, live sessions are held every first and third Tuesday of May, June, July and August and they begin with a round table of crop updates followed by Guest Speakers presenting Featured Topics. This week's session's Featured Topics are:

Farm stress management — Lance Ellis, Lance Hansen 

Post-emergence herbicides for broadleaf and grass control in potatoes — Pam Hutchinson

If you haven't already registered,

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

More information is available online at https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

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

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