U.S. Representatives Kat Cammack and Al Lawson led members of the Florida congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for expeditious approval of Vismax, a biochemical pesticide for HLB. A letter from the representatives asks the EPA to rapidly approve the use of Vismax in preventing HLB so the industry may access this product before the start of …
Overuse of Specific Pesticides Reason for Chilli Thrips Problem in Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Overuse of specific pesticides led to chilli thrips being more of a problem for Florida strawberry producers this season. Sriyanka Lahiri, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, said pesticides should be used in rotation. “You have four products. All of …
EU Ban of Pesticides Could Impact U.S. Growers
By Frank Giles Mike Aerts, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s vice president of science and regulatory affairs, recently shared an update from the European Union (EU) that could impact maximum residue limits (MRLs) allowed in the 27-member-country body. MRLs govern the amount of allowable pesticide residue on a food product in order to enter a country. Because the EU has …
Alabama 2022 Private Pesticide Applicator Training Calendar
Alabama Extension has released its Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing for the 2022 calendar year. The classes are designed for producers who need to take the private pesticide applicator test in order to purchase restricted use products. They will also be discussing chemical safety and sprayer calibration during the class. Any farmer or applicator who applies pesticides on a …
Sen. Booker Announces Legislation Aimed at Banning Dangerous Pesticides
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has announced the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2021 (PACTPA) that would remove dangerous pesticides within the agricultural system. Specifically, this legislation would update the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA) by banning the most damaging pesticides that have been scientifically proven to harm the safety of people and …
Using Pesticides Wisely: UGA, GDA Offering Program in March, April
For the second straight year, the Using Pesticides Wisely program will be offered in a virtual format amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The training, which is offered by the University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension and Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), will be offered on 11 different dates in March and April. University of Georgia Extension weed specialist Stanley Culpepper …
UF/IFAS Findings Show Less Need for Pesticide to Control Strawberry Pest
By: Brad Buck, 352-875-2641 (cell), bradbuck@ufl.edu It’s harvest season for Florida’s $300 million-per-year strawberry season, so those who grow this fruit need help to control pests such as the tiny (up to 2-millimeters long), destructive chilli thrips. Farmers often use pesticides to control thrips, but they would like to use minimal chemicals. University of Florida scientists may have found a …
Fungal Biopesticides Useful in the Fight Against Citrus Pests
Learn more about a product that can aid in control of the Asian citrus psyllid.
New Pesticides Approved for Use on Alabama Hemp
By Katelyn Kesheimer, Alabama Extension According to an Alabama Extension blog, new pesticides have been approved for use on hemp production in Alabama. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service worked with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to release an approved pesticide list for use on hemp in Alabama. Several more products have been recently approved for legal application …
Florida Pesticide License Testing Resumes May 18
By: Tory Moore, torymoore@ufl.edu Due to COVID-19, all pesticide license testing in Florida was suspended for more than six weeks. Now that the state has started to reactivate services, testing will resume at select UF/IFAS Extension offices on Monday, May 18. Not all testing locations will open on May 18. Due to the number of COVID-19 cases in certain regions, …