NCDA&CS Extends Deadline for Private Pesticide Applicators Seeking Recertification

Clint ThompsonNorth Carolina

RALEIGH – Due to the impact of Hurricane Helene on pesticide training and recertification in North Carolina, private pesticide applicators statewide will have until Dec. 20 to meet their recertification requirements. “We made the decision to extend the deadline to give private pesticide applicators more time to obtain their recertification because we knew those in the impacted counties would likely …

North Carolina Program Keeps 5 Million Pounds of Unwanted, Banned Pesticides Out of Landfills

Clint ThompsonNorth Carolina

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program recently marked a significant milestone, collecting more than five million pounds of banned, outdated or unwanted pesticides in the state since the program began in 1980. This milestone is a highlight in the 44-year effort of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which aims to keep the unwanted or …

Chilli Thrips Control: UF/IFAS Study Shows How Strawberry Growers Can Use Less Pesticides

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry

Florida strawberry growers can use less pesticide and save money as they attempt to control chilli thrips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research shows. An invasive pest in the southeastern United States, chilli thrips was introduced to the United States from Southeast Asia. The first report in Florida came in 1991 in Okeechobee County and …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Endangered Species Act Could Limit Pesticide Availability

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles European farmers have taken to the streets to protest government actions that they believe will threaten their viability. The farmers over there are saying much the same thing as the farmers here when regulatory challenges impede their ability to grow food in a reasonable and profitable manner. Food security is national security — without one, you can’t …

Pesticide Data Program

USDA Releases 2022 Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary

Dan CooperPest Management, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the 2022 Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Annual Summary, which shows that over 99% of the samples tested had pesticide residues below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The tests were conducted on 10,665 samples from 23 commodities including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, dairy, nuts and grains.   The PDP …

And the Survey Says: Vegetable Producers Sound Off on Pesticide, Fertilizer Use

Web AdminUSDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)-Agricultural Chemical Use Survey collected date about pesticide and fertilizer use from vegetable producers in 2022. NASS administered the survey among growers in 17 states, and three vegetables were highlighted. These include snap beans, squash and sweet corn. Nitrogen was the most widely used nutrient for all the three featured crops, …

Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign Stresses Importance of Pesticide Labels

Web AdminGrowing Matters

The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition tells us it’s always a good time to check your pesticide’s label.  The coalition says when choosing crop protection tools, both effectiveness and potential impact on the environment must be considered. Protecting bees and other wildlife is a major part of good stewardship practices and is why Growing Matters launched BeSure!, an initiative to support growers …

Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign Stresses Importance of Pesticide Labels

Web AdminGrowing Matters

The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition tells us it’s always a good time to check your pesticide’s label.  The coalition says when choosing crop protection tools, both effectiveness and potential impact on the environment must be considered. Protecting bees and other wildlife is a major part of good stewardship practices and is why Growing Matters launched BeSure!, an initiative to support growers …

Disposal of Waste Pesticides Throughout South Carolina

Web AdminSouth Carolina

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is offering South Carolina residents the opportunity to safely dispose of outdated, unusable or unwanted pesticides. The pesticide and chemical program is open to all private, commercial and non-commercial pesticide applicators in the state, as well as homeowners. SCDA staff will be on site to monitor pesticide collection and disposal and …

Rethinking the way we use botanical oil-based biopesticides

Web AdminBiologicals

Specialty crop growers are always thinking long-term to prepare for upcoming pro­duction seasons. Insecticide resistance is a concern all growers have pertaining to specific pests. Will certain chemistries against certain insects continue to be effective years from now? Some farmers are already encountering resistance issues. Michael Hull, technical services manager at Kemin Crop Technologies, speaks with growers on this subject …