By Clint Thompson The Using Pesticides Wisely (UPW) program will be offered in an online format this year, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The program has helped Georgia reduce pesticide drift complaints to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. It will be held this week April 21-23 at various locations. “Our Using Pesticides Wisely programs started in 2015. …
UF/IFAS and FDACS Working to Bring Pesticide Licensing Online
(UF/IFAS) — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are working to identify ways to provide online testing for certified pesticide applicators while in-person testing is unavailable due to COVID-19. All in-person UF/IFAS Extension programs and activities, including pesticide testing, have been postponed or cancelled through …
Pesticide Products Registered for Use on Hemp
In December 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved adding hemp to the use sites of 10 pesticides. Nine of the products are biopesticides and one is a conventional pesticide. As EPA receives additional applications to amend product labels to add use on hemp, the agency will process those applications on an ongoing basis and update this list. Biopesticides EPA Registration Number: 70310-5. Applicant: Agro Logistic …
Informing Consumers About Pesticides
By Ernie Neff The Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association (FFAA) is taking a new approach to educating consumers about the benefits and need for pesticides. FFAA President Mary Hartney, who describes herself as “an advocate for the responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers in Florida,” discussed the approach at Florida Ag Expo in November. Hartney says many people are opposed …
Hemp Pesticides Get Approved in South Carolina
By Karla Arboleda Hemp growers in South Carolina received a list of pesticides permitted for use on their crops. Earlier this month, the Department of Pesticide Regulation approved a list of pesticides from section 25(b) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act administered through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Steve Cole, director for regulatory public service programs for Clemson …
Pay Attention: Pecan Nut Casebearer a Concern for Southeast Producers
By Clint Thompson The time is now for Southeast pecan producers to pay attention to pecan nut casebearer, a pest that can devastate pecan trees if left unchecked. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan entomologist, noted in the UGA Pecan Blog that the tiny nutlets on the trees’ terminal branches are exposed to feeding by the casebearer caterpillars. …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Big Issues Addressed at Florida Citrus Show
By Frank Giles Last year, AgNet Media took over hosting responsibilities for the Florida Citrus Show in Fort Pierce. With that change, the event moved to the neighboring facilities of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research …
Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign on Keeping Pollinators Safe
The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition helps growers protect bees and other wildlife. To learn more about pesticide safety for pollinators, we’re talking with Todd Hanson, Bayer Product Manager for corn seed treatments. About Growing Matters BeSure! Growing Matters is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to scientific discourse on the stewardship, benefits and alternatives of neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. …
Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign on Keeping Treated Seeds Covered
The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition helps growers protect bees and other wildlife. To learn more about what we can do, we’re talking with Nick Tinsley, Seed Treatment Technical Field Representative with BASF, who says one important action is to keep treated seeds covered. About Growing Matters BeSure! Growing Matters is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to scientific discourse on …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Southeast Producers Convene for Annual Conference
By Clint Thompson The Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference drew a large attendance in early January. The annual gathering provides a plethora of educational breakout sessions focused on key fruit and vegetable crops. Here’s a few highlights from those sessions. Peach Presentations Fungicide preservation is the key for Southeast peach producers in managing brown rot disease long term. Demethylation …