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Corn Earworm - 2020
Corn Treasure Valley
corn earworm
Posted on: July 20, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
I am once again collaborating with Charter Seed Co. and Crookham Co. on a project to trap corn earworm moths. Traps will be set out in corn fields at various locations near Kuna, Melba, Middleton, Wilder, Homedale, and Caldwell. I will check the traps every few days and post the moth counts to this website.
The online Phenology and Degree Day Model (GDD) from Oregon State University is being used to estimate when the summer generation of corn earworm moths will emerge. This is the generation of moths that lay eggs in corn that is silking at the time when they emerge. The link to the GDD calculator for Corn Earworm is below.
The GDD model uses January 1 as a biofix, 55 and 92 as the temperature parameters. Summer moths will emerge after 1300 GDD have accumulated. These moths will then begin laying eggs in fresh corn silk. This model also estimates the eggs will hatch and larvae will begin feeding on corn ears 73 GDD later. According to this model, we will reach 1300 GDD in the Caldwell area about July 29, and will reach 1300 GDD in the Parma area about July 30. Egg laying in most, if not all, Treasure Valley locations will take place in this approximate time frame. Larval feeding will begin 3 to 4 days later.
Traps will go out in a couple of days. The first moth counts will be posted a few days after the traps are set out.
The links below will take you to the websites where you can use the growing degree day model and also view various treatment methods based on the type of corn that you are growing.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable-seed/corn/corn-seed-corn-earworm-sweet-corn-only
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable/vegetable-pests/hosts-pests/corn-sweet-corn-earworm
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/agronomic/field-silage-corn/field-silage-corn-corn-earworm
2020 Virtual Potato Association of American Annual Meeting - July 20-22
Potato All Locations
Posted on: July 17, 2020 by Jeff Miller
Due to COVID-19, the Potato Association of America is holding its 2020 annual meeting online. This provides an excellent opportunity for more people to watch the presentations who have not been able to do so in the past.
The Virtual Annual Meeting will take place the afternoons of Monday, July 20th - Wednesday, July 22nd.
You are invited to join us online for educational sessions, poster presentations, and a LIVE Graduate Student Competition, all from the safety and comfort of your own home or office.
Registration is now available online! Limited spots available.
Delegates - $50 registration fee.
Program details and registration can be found at https://amr.swoogo.com/paa2020
As you browse the schedule of events, please note that all times listed are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)!
Psyllid Update July 16, 2020
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: July 16, 2020 by Lucy Standley
This week we had traps deployed in 56 of the 65 fields (86%) monitored this year and we found a total of 42 psyllids across 22 (39%) of the 56 fields.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Payette (1 field), Canyon (4 fields), Gem (2 fields), Elmore (1 field), Jerome (2 fields), Twin Falls (9 fields), Cassia (1 field), Power (1 field), and Oneida (1 field).
The remaining 9 fields (across Bingham and Power counties) had traps deployed in them this week, and we will report data from them next week.
Lso testing of last week’s psyllids has been delayed. We plan to report Lso results next week.
There was also an issue with the generation of “heat maps” that we expect to have resolved by next week.
Psyllid captures were similar to last week and similar to this time last year, though we urge growers to watch psyllid numbers closely during the coming weeks.
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.
2020 Apple Codling Moth, Second Generation
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella)
Posted on: July 14, 2020 by Nic Usabel
The second generation of codling moth will begin egg hatch this week. Current degree day models report 1072 DD as of July 12. Beginning egg hatch begins at 1100 DD, currently forecasted for July 14.
Rotate among insecticide classes between generations to prevent development of insecticide resistance. Reference publication links to view insecticide options for commercial or residential sites. Commercial products with the active ingredients including; spinetoram, acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, etc. Residential products with active ingredients including; lambda-cyhalothrin (restricted use pesticide), or esfenvalerate and Spinosad (general-use pesticides). Non-spray option is to bag the fruit.
This pest needs prevention all season long for clean fruit.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/apple/apple-codling-moth
» https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1879&context=extension_curall
» https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/codling-moth-control-in-home-plantings-5-613/
Psyllid Update July 9, 2020
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: July 9, 2020 by Lucy Standley
This week we had traps deployed in 56 of the 65 fields (86%) monitored this year and we found a total of 44 psyllids across 22 (39%) of the 56 fields.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Payette (1 field), Canyon (6 fields), Gem (2 fields), Elmore (3 fields), Jerome (1 field), Twin Falls (8 fields), and Minidoka (1 field).
From the last two week’s samples, so far 0 psyllids have tested positive for Lso (liberibacter), the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). However, we still have one psyllid from last week (collected from Twin Falls county) with pending Lso results.
We apologize for not having “heat maps” yet this week. We expect to have them generated before next week’s update and posted on our website.
Thus far, psyllid captures are similar to this time last year, though we urge growers to watch psyllid numbers closely during the coming weeks.
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.
2020 Squash Bug
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Squash Bug (Anasa tristis)
Posted on: July 8, 2020 by Nic Usabel
Squash bugs have been reported in Canyon County by an Idaho Master Gardener and University of Idaho personnel. It is time to check the underside of cucurbit (pumpkins and squash are most attractive) leaves for the bronze colored egg clusters. In addition, monitor plants for nymphs, adults and plants wilting.
MANAGEMENT
Wooden boards, shingles, or heavy cardboard can be placed on the ground next to the host plant. Squash bugs tend to move under the board/object at night. In the morning, turn the boards over and destroy the pest.
Hand-pick and destroy adults, nymphs, or egg clusters. Other options include rolled duct tape around fingers to pull off egg clusters, cutting off the egg part of the leaf or applying petroleum jelly directly to the eggs. Increased success is achieved when started early in the season and done every 2 to 3 days to keep numbers low.
Cultural methods include sanitation, plating squash varieties that are more tolerant of squash bug feeding, crop rotation, and time of planting.
Additional control methods can be found in the publications linked below.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable/vegetable-pests/common-vegetable/vegetable-crop-squash-bug
» https://extension.usu.edu/juab/ou-files/ENT-120-08.pdf
2020 Turfgrass Mowing Height & Watering
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Posted on: July 7, 2020 by Nic Usabel
MOWING
The weather will be warming and 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 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 adjust the frequency of irrigation to maintain plant available water in the root zone.
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 (once a week or less) 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.
» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1098.pdf
» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1157.pdf
UI Ag Talk Tuesday July 7 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (MT)
All Crops All Locations
General announcment
Posted on: July 6, 2020 by Kasia Duellman
Join us at the next UI Ag Talk Tuesday session - Tuesday July 7 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm (MT). Each session includes crop updates, current season crop and disease issues, Featured Topics with guest speakers, questions, and discussion. This week's featured topic is "Field projects of cropping systems of alfalfa, quinoa, barley, and wheat," presented by Dr. Xi Liang.
A one-time Registration is Required to be able to attend the 2020 sessions. Instructions on how to join the sessions are provided once you register.
Register here: https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
Only four 2020 Ag Talk Tuesday sessions remain: July 7, July 21, August 4, and August 18. More information is available at https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/.
» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
2020 Potato psyllid monitoring program in Idaho
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: July 2, 2020 by Lucy Standley
The University of Idaho and our crop consultant collaborators across the state are continuing the monitoring program 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 collaborators.
Following guidance from our ZC Advisory Committee, we are running a shortened monitoring season beginning at the end of June and continuing for 10 to 12 weeks, using 4 sticky traps per field at all sites. Complications related to COVID-19 have limited the number of sites being monitored by some of our cooperators, but we expect to still have a total of about 65 fields across the state.
The first set of traps in commercial fields was deployed last week, with quite a few more having been deployed this week. We began monitoring at the Kimberly R&E Center (KREC) during mid-June.
During the week of June 22, we captured a total of 4 potato psyllids among our three monitored fields at KREC. During the week of June 29, we captured 11 psyllids across the same fields as well as 7 psyllids across three commercial fields in Canyon county. Psyllid abundance appears to be fairly low as is typical of June, but we will obtain trap data from many more sites next 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/cals/potatoes/news/psyllid-management
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.
2020 Fire Blight on Ornamental Trees
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Caused by bacterium Erwinia amylovora
Posted on: July 1, 2020 by Nic Usabel
Spring conditions have amplified the effects of fire blight bacterium in not only pear fruit and apple fruit, but ornamental plants in the Rose family. Plants which may show damage include crabapple, flowering pear, pyracantha, hawthorn, cotoneaster, mountain ash, and other related plants. Current observations note widespread affects in the ornamental apples and ornamental pears.
Damage is typically noticed when twigs wilt and die. The tip of the plant growth exhibits a shepherd’s crook. Symptoms seen later in the season include progressive wilting of the branch as the bacterial canker advances down the stem.
For cultural control immediately prune out and destroy infected tissues. Make pruning cuts at least 6-8 inches below the infected tissues. Sterilize pruning tool(s) between cuts using 70% alcohol or 10% bleach solution.
Other control methods to reduce inflammation of fire blight are to avoid over fertilizing with nitrogen, to not sprinkle irrigate susceptible plants, and inspect plants carefully for cankers or blighted twigs during dormancy.
The best management of fire blight is to select ornamental trees which are resistant to the bacterium. Reference the Pacific Northwest Handbook links below for additional information.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/cultivar-tables/crabapple-cultivar-susceptibility
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/pyracantha-firethorn-fire-blight
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/hawthorn-crataegus-spp-fire-blight
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/mountain-ash-sorbus-spp-fire-blight
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/crabapple-malus-spp-fire-blight
Iris yellow spot virus in onion
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: July 1, 2020 by Stuart Reitz
Iris yellow spot virus had been found this past week in a few plants in commercial onion fields in Malheur County, Canyon County, and Washington County. So far, no widespread outbreaks have occurred.
Maintaining good thrips management will help limit the spread and severity of the disease. Infective adult thrips spread the virus from plant to plant as well as within a plant. Infective immatures also can spread the virus within a plant.
In addition to thrips management, minimize stress on onion plants by making sure fields are maintained at an adequate but not excessive fertility level, and that the soil moisture is kept at about the 20 centibar level. This will help reduce the severity of virus symptoms.
TASCO Field Days
Sugarbeets All Locations
Posted on: July 1, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
The following announcement is from The Amalgamated Sugar Company.
Due to the raising rate of Covid community transmission, we see ourselves forced to cancel The Amalgamated Sugar Company Field Days in Nampa (July 7th) and Jerome (July 9th).
We apologize for the short notice and ask for your understanding.
Virtual Tour July 7th: UI Snake River Weed Mgt Tour - Aberdeen Research and Extension Center
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: June 29, 2020 by Pamela Hutchinson
Can not make it to the on-site Tour June 30th?
You are in luck!
You are invited to a virtual tour of the UI Snake River Weed Mgt trials: Aberdeen Research and Extension Center via Zoom meeting.
When: Jul 7, 2020 01:00 to 4 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Even if you saw the trials up close and personal June 30 you can also register for this virtual tour.
NOTE: Three Pesticide Recertification credits will be offered for virtual tour attendees.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpdumtrjgpEtE7UlRaMInXN--XVoQ50nrN
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Pam
Pamela J.S. Hutchinson
Potato Cropping Systems Weed Scientist
Aberdeen R&E Center
1693 S 2700 W
Aberdeen, ID 83210
Cell ph 208-681-1304
Office ph 397-4181 fax 397-4311
» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpdumtrjgpEtE7UlRaMInXN--XVoQ50nrN
Additional resources for potato quality improvement are now available on-line
Potato All Locations
Posted on: June 29, 2020 by Nora Olsen and Mike Thornton
As part of the Idaho Potato Commission-funded quality project we have been working with one of the largest retailers of potatoes to monitor the incidence of defects seen at the consumer level in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 potato crops. The good news is that we have seen an improvement in the quality of potatoes delivered over the three years of the project. We believe that this improvement in quality is due in large part to the emphasis on reducing bruise damage being exhibited at both the grower and shipper levels.
One of the best ways to reduce bruise damage is to focus on training the people that operate every piece of potato handling equipment on their role in the effort to improve quality. To that end, we have developed several training resources on our website under the “Bruise Management” tab. In 2019 we focused on videos that show windrower and harvester operators the key factors in operating that equipment in a way that minimizes bruise. But we realize that bruising can take place any time potatoes are handled, so in 2020 we focused on the equipment that moves potatoes from the truck into storage, the piling operation, and the process of removing the potatoes from storage. The result is three new videos entitled Moving Potatoes from Truck to Piler, Best Practices for Piling Potatoes, and Unloading Potatoes Out of Storage. Each video is only 3 to 4 minutes long, but cover the basic operating principles and show several viewpoints so that equipment operators can see what the machinery should look like when operating properly.
Special thanks go to Jason Thomas (Minidoka County Extension Educator) for the narration, and Bill Schaefer for shooting the video and editing it all into the final product.
The initial videos are available in English. However, we anticipate that a Spanish version of the videos will be posted shortly. All these videos are available at the following website:
https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/bruise-management/training-videos
Powdery Mildew in Sugarbeets - 2020
Sugarbeets All Locations
Powdery Mildew
Posted on: June 23, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Powdery mildew has been found by The Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC Crop Consultants in sugarbeet fields in the Nyssa, OR and Parma, ID area. This is quite a bit earlier than the past few years. There are several fungicides available for use to treat powdery mildew. Depending on the disease pressure and chemistry used, applications with different chemistries should be repeated every 14-21 days. Please be advised that strobilurins could show reduced efficacy to due fungicide resistance. Always tankmix with at least 5 lbs of sulfur for resistance management purposes. Contact your Crop Consultant from The Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC if you have any questions.
Click on the link below for the powdery mildew pages in the PNW Plant Disease Management Handbooks.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/sugar-beet-beta-vulgaris-powdery-mildew
2020 UI Snake River Pest Management Tour - Aberdeen
Announcements All Locations
Posted on: June 19, 2020 by Pamela Hutchinson
Hello!
We will definitely have our annual Snake River Pest Management Tour at the Aberdeen R&E Center Tuesday June 30th!
Time:
· Registration 8:30 to 9a
· Tour 9a to noon
Safety precautions:
· Forehead temperatures will be taken at registration..
· Face masks are required – we will provide if you don’t have one on tour day.
· Hand sanitizer will be available at registration and during the tour.
· Attendees must social distance except for within your family or within a group of members from your own company with whom you have been approved to be closer than 6ft.
· Attendees will drive their own vehicles to field tour stops rather than on trailers. The tour is entirely at the Aberdeen R&E Center.
· No lunch after the tour but bottled water will be provided throughout the morning.
Credits: Three Idaho pesticide applicator recertification credits will be offered.
FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT ATTEND IN PERSON:
We will have a virtual tour of some type – stay tuned for further details.
Featured will be several weed control trials in potatoes, including tank mixtures, planned vs. rescue postemergence applications, chemigation vs sprinkler incorporation as well as potato variety herbicide tolerance trials, and herbicide mechanism of action plots.
And…Updates about other pests and other crops from our Research and Extension project leaders.
Please forward this email to your colleagues.
NO RSVP needed unless you are unable to have a vehicle for the tour stops.
We hope to see you there!
Pam
Pamela J.S. Hutchinson
Potato Cropping Systems Weed Scientist
Aberdeen R&E Center
1693 S 2700 W
Aberdeen, ID 83210
Cell ph 208-681-1304
Office ph 397-4181 fax 397-4311
Cercospora leaf spot in Sugarbeets - 2020
Sugarbeets All Locations
Cercospora leaf spot
Posted on: June 15, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Amalgamated Sugar Company, LLC is reporting they have the first confirmed sighting of Cercospora leaf spot for 2020 in a sugarbeet field between Caldwell and Notus. A Senior Agriculturist with AMSCO found symptomatic leaves in an overhead irrigated field. We have reached critical temperatures but relative humidity is still low, however overhead irrigation can artificially increase relative humidity and therefore increase infection potential. Fields in close proximity to last year’s infected fields, or back to back sugarbeet fields are especially at risk. Please contact your local AMSCO agriculturist for fungicide recommendations based on last year’s fungicide resistance survey.
2020 Fruit Thinning
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Posted on: June 11, 2020 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 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.
If you are new to the orchard, know that trees will exhibit “June Drop” which is when the tree will naturally drop fruit. Some prefer to wait until this event happens to thin, however there are great advantages to thinning early. More details can be found in the links below.
» https://extension.wsu.edu/maritimefruit/fruit-thinning-for-high-quality/
» https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/berries-fruit/fruit-thinning
2020 Peachtree Borer
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Peachtree Borer (Synanthedon exitiosa)
Posted on: June 10, 2020 by Nic Usabel
Peachtree bores have been caught in traps, maintained by Idaho Master Gardeners, in Middleton and Nampa. This pest is a concern for stone fruits: Peach, nectarine, apricot, cherry, and plum. Key symptoms of peachtree borer infestation is the presence of sawdust and frass mixed with the gummy substance near the base of the trunk. Prevention is the best method of control.
Larvae injure the fruit tree primarily by burrowing into the tree trunks just at or below the soil line but may enter trunk up to 12” above the soil line. Larvae feed in the cambium beneath the bark girdling the tree.
Chemical Control, Home Use: For orchards less than 1 acre, or for home yard trees, preventative trunk sprays are the primary control. Apply the first application immediately after first trap catch and repeat application based on product label guidelines. Follow the required pre-harvest interval (time between last application and allowed harvest of fruit) of insecticide product. Apply insecticide as a bark drench at a rate of ½ to 1 gallon of spray mix per tree. Thoroughly cover the lower 12 inches of trunk and soak the ground at the base of tree. Do not allow the sprays to contact fruit. For chemical option review the PNW handbook link below.
Chemical Control, Commercial: Reference the PNW handbook link below to see spring and summer application recommendations.
Cultural Control: Larvae inside the trunks can be killed by inserting a wire into entry holes. Kill larvae in the late summer and fall before they spend the winter and inflict their most extensive feeding damage the following spring. Keep base of tree free of vegetation – heat and dryness reduce the survival of eggs and larvae.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/peach-nectarine/peach-nectarine-peachtree-borer
» https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/peach-tree-borer-5-566/
Oregon COVID-19 Costs for Food Security & Farmworker Safety Program
All Crops Northern Idaho
Posted on: June 10, 2020 by Stuart Reitz
Oregon’s Food Security and Farmworker Safety Program provides assistance to Oregon’s agricultural producers in order to help secure Oregon’s food supply chain and protect essential agricultural workers from COVID-19 exposure and illness.
The COVID-19 emergency caused Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OR-OSHA) to issue temporary rules requiring increased field sanitation measures and more stringent labor housing and transportation regulations.
Agricultural producers are responsible for complying with COVID-19 emergency OR-OSHA requirements for Housing, Transportation, and Field Sanitation. Producers faced with additional costs because of this can apply for assistance in any or all categories. There is no need to fill out a separate application for each; a single application will cover all 3 categories.
Please see https://www.oregon.gov/oweb/fsfs/Pages/index.aspx for application and additional information. One application will cover the three program areas of housing, transportation, and field sanitation.
Additional rules for worker protection is available from Oregon OSHA is at https://osha.oregon.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Emergency-Ag-Rule-Q-A.pdf
» https://www.oregon.gov/oweb/fsfs/Pages/index.aspx
» https://osha.oregon.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Emergency-Ag-Rule-Q-A.pdf
Volunteer potato control recommendations for 2020
Potato All Locations
volunteer potatoes
Posted on: June 10, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
The pdf below contains "Volunteer potato control recommendations for 2020." This information is provided by Dr. Pamela J.S. Hutchinson, Potato Cropping Systems Weed Scientist, University of Idaho Aberdeen R&E Center.
» Volunteer_potato_control_recommendations_for_2020_HUTCHINSON_June_02_2016.pdf
Stripe rust (or Yellow Rust) in Wheat - Western Idaho
All Crops All Locations
Stripe rust on wheat
Posted on: June 5, 2020 by Juliet Marshall
Stripe rust has found its way to western Idaho, reported from at least two locations (with accompanying picture), one location was on UI Magic CL+. (Thanks Oliver Neher!) The growth stage of winter wheat in that area is past the window of fungicide application, and is currently in grain fill. Spring wheat is still vulnerable and susceptible varieties should be scouted for the appearance of stripe rust.
In the Magic Valley and into eastern Idaho, winter wheat is heading and susceptible varieties are still vulnerable to significant yield loss associated with stripe rust infection. Stripe rust reaction of last year’s varieties in the Extension Variety Trials is reported in the 2019 Small Grains Report available online at https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho. (The data is included here as attachments.). Also keep an eye out for stripe rust on barley. No barley stripe rust has been reported so far this year.
Please note that while some wheat varieties were reported as resistant in 2019, race changes were reported in California by Dr. Mark Lundy (UC Davis pathologist) in this year’s crop; therefore scouting of all varieties is recommended this season. Please report observations so we can keep track of the in-season spread.
The weather forecast for this and especially next week is very conducive to stripe rust spread and infection. Fungicide application recommendations developed through NCERA-184 pathologists, coordinated by Dr. Erick De Wolfe Kansas State University, is also attached.
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho
New edition of Potato Production Systems
Potato All Locations
Posted on: June 5, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Dr. Mike Thornton, Professor of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho Parma Research and Extension Center is reporting that a new edition of Potato Production Systems was published recently by Springer Publishing. The comprehensive book includes contributions by 39 authors, 22 of whom are current or emeritus U of I faculty. The book, originally published by UI Extension in 2003, functions as a textbook for CALS Potato Science course and as a reference for potato industry professionals. You can find more information about the book on the Springer website by clicking on the link below.
2020 Peach Twig Borer
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Peach Twig Borer (Anarsia lineatella)
Posted on: June 4, 2020 by Nic Usabel
Management of the peach twig borer, based on degree days and trap catches, will take place June 5 – June 10. This pest is a concern for those growing peach, nectarine, apricot, plum and prune. Adult moths are 0.3 – 0.5 inches long, with light and dark gray mottled wings. Scales on the front of head cause the head to appear pointed. The larva is a caterpillar, about 0.5 inch long, with a dark brown head and distinctive, alternating light and dark bands on the body.
Larvae injure fruit trees by feeding on the buds and twigs early in the season, then the larvae bore into the shoots, causing a characteristic "flagging" or wilting of the new growth. Later generations of larvae feed within shoots or even on the fruit itself. Flagging of twigs indicates an infestation.
For chemical control management options review the PNW Handbook link below to select a control option appropriate for operation. Apply according to label directions.
For cultural controls prune out shoot strikes in the late spring and early summer as soon as they are detected to prevent these larvae from completing development and contributing to summer generations of the pest. If old shoot strikes are observed during pruning in late winter to early spring, plan to apply early season controls. Old strikes hold onto the dead leaves and appear as “flagged” terminals.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/peach-nectarine/peach-nectarine-peach-twig-borer
» https://climate.usu.edu//includes/pestFactSheets/Peach-Twig-Borer.pdf
EPA Releases Temporary Guidance on Respiratory Protection for Agricultural Pesticide Handlers During COVID-19
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: June 3, 2020 by Christy Tanner
The temporary guidance outlines approaches to address the unavailability of required respiratory protection and respiratory fit testing that should first be exhausted before considering any alternative options. Options include:
• Use alternative NIOSH-approved respirators offering equivalent or greater respiratory protection than those required on the pesticide label;
• Hire commercial applicator services with enough respirators and respiratory protection capabilities;
• Opt to use agricultural pesticide products that do not require respirators; or
• Delay pesticide applications until another compliant option is available.
If the above options are exhausted, EPA’s guidance provides additional options with strict terms, conditions, and exhaustion requirements to minimize potential incremental risks to workers:
• Reuse and extended use of disposable N95 filter facepiece respirator;
• Use of “expired” respirators;
• Use of respirators certified in certain other countries or jurisdictions meeting protective conditions outlined; or
• Delay the annual respirator “fit test.”
This is a temporary policy. EPA will assess the continued need for and scope of this temporary guidance on a regular basis. To read the guidance in full and to learn more about EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, visit this webpage: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/statement-regarding-respiratory-protection-shortages-and-reduced-availability-respirator
