 |
 |
WS, BAnts take the bait for less toxic solution Farm Press, Western Edition http://westernfarmpress.com/news/060806-ants-low-toxic/ Jun 8, 2006 6:14 AM Organic citrus growers can use low-toxic ant control measures to rid their groves of pesky Argentine ants, according to a study funded by the UC Exotic/Invasive Pests and Diseases Research Program. After one week of using baits, ants were reduced by about 50 percent and after two weeks, by about 70 percent. In their study, Les Greenberg, entomology specialist, John Klotz, University of California Cooperative Extension urban entomologist, and Michael Rust, entomologist, all from UC Riverside, demonstrated a reduction in Argentine ants in an organic citrus grove using ant bait stations containing liquid toxicants. "We used a commercially available liquid bait with a borate toxicant to reduce season-long ant population densities," says Greenberg. "Our results indicate that small amounts of relatively non-toxic insecticides, delivered in a sugar-bait, can reduce ants." Argentine ants are probably the most prevalent of the ant species in California agriculture and urban environments. The small, deep brown insects travel in trails on trees, the ground, or irrigation lines and build their nests underground. Ant populations peak in midsummer and early fall. The ants feed on honeydew excreted by soft scales, mealybugs, cottony cushion scales, whiteflies and aphids. As part of this relationship, they also protect these insects from their natural enemies, thus interrupting biological control of the honeydew-producing pests. No effective natural enemies of the Argentine ant are known. Cultural controls, including the use of sticky materials applied to tree trunks, are acceptable for use in organically managed citrus groves. Greenberg, Klotz and Rust recommend that growers monitor their orchards in spring when honeydew-producing insects, such as aphids, appear. Check the abdomen of ants descending the tree trunks to see if they are swollen and translucent. This identifies them as honeydew-collecting species. Growers should periodically inspect for ants and bark damage under the trunk wraps of several young trees. For the most effective and economical ant control, begin treatments when ants become active in the spring following the winter rains. The UC EDRP targets research on exotic pests and diseases in California. The program aims not only to improve our knowledge and management of pests that are already here, but also to reduce the potential impact of those pests and diseases that pose a threat to the state. The program is collaboration between the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program and the UC Riverside Center for Invasive Species Research. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service, funds the program. ****************************************************************** Vegetable Pest Status Report June 15, 2006 By John Mishanec, IPM Vegetable Program General Conditions Drier conditions are allowing growers out into the fields and get some work done. Transplants are going in everywhere. Growers are generally way behind everywhere. With all the rain in the previous couple weeks, fertilizer that was put down earlier in the season is long gone. Crops that have been out for a while should have a side-dressing of fertilizer when you find the time. Potatoes There are lots of colorado potato beetles (CPB) out there on the crops laying eggs. So far, we have seen a few hatching but mostly just eggs are on the plants. With the hot weather this coming weekend, expect to see lots of eggs hatching and lots of little larvae on the plants. If you are an organic grower, this is an important time of the summer. The only and best time to control CPB larvae is just after the eggs hatch. Bt's will only work on the first and second stages of larvae growth. The larvae go through four stages of growth before they become adults. Go out and scout your fields for eggs. They are easy to spot, bright yellow in color. Look on the undersides of the leaves. If you find they haven't hatched yet, flag 5 or 6 egg masses and then keep and eye on them. The conventional recommendation is to wait till 20% of the eggs hatch but if you see any hatching, you can assume there are at least 20% hatching. This is the time to make the Bt application. If you wait, and the larvae get big, than you will be fighting them all summer. Also, make sure you have a fungicide application protecting your potato plants. Organic growers have limited options but copper is probably the best choice. When you scout your fields look for low spots where there is still water standing or along tree lines. Anywhere there is humidity staying on, those are places where late blight can come in. Sweet Corn While the flight of european corn borer (ECB) continues, corn plants are beginning to show some signs of growing. Plants are yellowish and need side-dressing. If you have bare ground sweet corn, it is still a little early to start looking for ECB damage in your fields. Also, spraying at this time to control the ECB larvae is totally a waste of time and money. You have lots better things to do. Occasionally we are seeing some armyworms causing damage on a couple plants here and there. No need to worry. If they are still there when it is time to spray for ECB, you will control them. Seeing a fair amount of damage on row cover or plastic corn. With the continued flight, you may want to consider another insecticide application. Adults are still laying eggs and even if you made an application earlier, it may be necessary again as long as the flight is continuing. This is a very odd year for ECB. Normally, the flight is over with within a week or 10 days. This year, with the cool, wet weather the flight is continuing and eggs are still being deposited. Vine Crops Anywhere there is flooding in the field, you should consider disking a ring around the area. You don't want to have phytophthora come into a crop. Most growers have experienced phytophthora in the past and with all the flooding this spring and early summer, it is a problem best avoiding now. Also, there are cucumber beetles to be found in most vine crops. It is hard to control them if you didn't treat the plants with Admire at planting. Again, with the warm weather we are expecting this weekend there will be lots of beetles out. Be careful of bees so you should wait till late in the day when the bees are not flying to make treatments against cucumber beetle. Tomatoes Keep a sharp eye on your tomatoes. There is still a chance we will see late blight showing up. I am on a network of university people all over the north-east, looking for late blight. So far, no one has reported it and let's hope it doesn't show up. Cornell Recommends The online version of the 2005 Integrated Crop and Pest Management Guidelines for Vegetables is now available at http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/recommends/ -- John Mishanec Area Vegetable IPM Educator Cornell Cooperative Extension 90 State Street 6th Floor, Suite 600 Albany, New York 12207 Phone 518-434-0016 Fax 518-426-3316 E-mail [log in to unmask] NATION'S LARGEST DAIRIES TRYING TO AVOID MONSANTO'S BOVINE GROWTH HORMONE The largest retailers and distributors of milk and dairy products in the U.S. are considering eliminating rBGH from their products. According to the trade journal Dairy Food and Market Analyst, Wal-Mart and Dean Foods have begun pressing suppliers for a larger supply of milk produced without rBGH, in response to increasing consumer demand. The synthetic hormone rBGH is a genetically engineered drug designed to make dairy cows produce more milk. The controversial hormone has been banned in Europe and Canada due to its links to increased risks for cancer and antibiotic resistance. Despite these bans, 18% of U.S. dairy cows, especially those on factory-style farms, continue to be injected with the drug. Over the past few years, millions of consumers have switched to milk and dairy products from organic farms, which ban the use of rBGH and antibiotics. Starbucks, by the way, is still serving up coffee drinks across the country that are laced with rBGH--another good reason to patronize local independently owned coffee shops that offer organic and Fair Trade alternatives. Learn more: http://alerts.organicconsumers.org/trk/click?ref=zqtbkk3um_0-1ax242x3217 238& <http://alerts.organicconsumers.org/trk/click?ref=zqtbkk3um_0-1ax242x321 7238&> SOME MAJOR U.S. DAIRIES ELIMINATING rBGH OVER THE PAST YEAR April, 2005 - Tillamook's cheeses: The second largest producer of block cheese in the U.S. June, 2005 - Eberhard Dairy: Central Oregon's largest dairy processing plant. Nov., 2005 - Alpenrose Dairy in Portland Feb. 2006 - Darigold's yogurts: A large western U.S. dairy. June 2006 - Garelick: A large East Coast dairy processor, producing 45 million lbs. of milk per month. June 2006 - Meadow Gold and Darigold Farms: Montana's largest milk producers. WEST MICHIGAN CRAFT PROGRAM CRAFT = COLLABORATIVE REGIONAL ALLIANCE FOR FARMER TRAINING TUESDAY, JUNE 20 Please join us for this opportunity to learn about and experience the application of biodynamic agriculture... BIODYNAMIC PREPARATION 500 APPLICATION LEARNING AND PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY 6pm - 8:30 pm Bob Johnson Farm 12035 Fruit Ridge Ave. (between 14 & 15 Mile - north of Grand Rapids) Contact: Paul and Nancy Keisers - 2757 Hayes Ave. in Marne (616) 677-6176 PLEASE CALL TO GET INFORMATION IF YOU ARE COMING END Vicki Morrone Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist Michigan State University C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems 303 Natural Resources Bldg. East Lansing, MI 48824 517-353-3542 517-282-3557 (cell) 517-353-3834 (fax) If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html