Fall Ornamental Pest Update--From Syngenta

This information is provided from Lee Bloomcamp with Syngenta which I am relaying to you. If you would like to find more information about a specific pesticide label you can visit this site <http://www.cdms.net/Label-Database>.

Disclosure -The use of trade names or registered products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information.  UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.  All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer's label.  Use pesticides safely.  Read and follow direction on the manufacturer's label. 

Weather extremes have had significant impact in Florida in recent months.  Heat, drought, monsoons and hurricanes have affected nurseries all over the state, and pest and disease management problems continue as well.   Current issues are addressed below.

Insects

This time of year it is not unusual to find  large white grubs in both in-ground and container tree and shrub roots.  The grubs are immature scarab beetles, mostly Masked chafers, Green June Beetles, and May Beetles, some have multiple-year life cycles.  Adult beetles deposit eggs in moist rich soils, and  irrigated areas full of peat, bark and juicy roots attract egg-laying females.  Grubs feed all summer, then move to the soil surface to pupate in the fall, making them more visible to growers. The mature grubs are hard to kill since they are not eating- DuraGuard drenches may work, but most treatments are not cost effective.  Best strategy for control starts in early summer.  Adult beetles emerge in spring, then mate, and lay eggs.  May-early July drenches of Mainspring GNL or Flagship or other labeled products readily control smaller grubs, preventing root damage and plant stress.   Entomopathic nematodes and milky-spore bacteria are also used in grub IPM programs.  Scarab beetles often return to the same areas to breed, so watch for grubs and root damage and prepare for drenches next year.

Red Imported Fire ants increase activity in the fall.  Less rain, cooler temperatures and plenty of food stimulate colony growth.  Broadcast baits are the best way to control RIFA in areas larger than ½ A.  Award II is labeled for nurseries, and Advion RIFA bait can be used around structures, lawns and non-production areas.  Advion is extremely fast and effective, and will be available for use in nurseries soon.  Treating for RIFA  now will reduce winter survival, and lead to fewer ant problems in the spring.

Diseases

‘Tis the season for mildew, both Powdery and Downy.  Cooler evenings, mature foliage and drier weather all promote these diseases.  Both can be hard to identify, and easily mistaken for other problems.  Many species get powdery mildew, and downy is expanding its host range as well.  Attached are recommendations for both.  Downy mildew is a big problem on basil- Micora, Subdue Maxx and Heritage are all labeled for control of DM on this crop.  Most DM products also control phytophthora.

Core Pesticide Class Opportunity

A class entitled "Pesticide Safety Jeopardy" will be offered at the the Hillsborough County Extension office 10:30 am-12:15 pm, November 28, 2017.
This class is a Jeopardy-like game.  Playing the game will strengthen your knowledge and skills in the areas of signal words, hazards, formulations, calibration and spills. Use pesticide and fertilizer labels, SDS and basic math skills.  Here is the registration link.  www.prohort.eventbrite.com
FDACS CEUS: 2.0 Chapter 487 or 482 Core.

Private Applicator Exam Training and WPS Classes at Balm, FL

Classes will be held for Private Applicator Exam Preparation and WPS Train-the-Trainer Class at Balm, FL at the UF/IFAS GCREC on Dec. 7th and 8th.

CORE - Applying Pesticides Correctly
Exam Prep 12/7/17, 8:30am - 10:30am
Exam Session 10:30am - 12:30pm

Review of General Standards Topics Including:
Pesticide Law
Principles of Pest Control
Pesticide Labels
Environmental Hazards
Harmful Effects and PPE
Mixing, Loading and Application
Transportation, Disposal and Spill Cleanup
Pesticide Application Procedures
CEUs:  2 Core

Private Applicator Class
Exam Prep 12/7/17:  10:45am - 12:45pm
Exam Session 12:45am - 2:45pm

Review of Private Applicator Topics Including:
Licensing of Private Applicators
Pests and Pest Control
Fumigants
The Worker Protection Standard
Application Equipment and Calibration
Dilutions and Site Sizes
Pesticide Labels
Calibration and Dilution Mathematics
CEUs:  2 Private

Worker Protection Standard Train-The-Trainer Workshop
 12/8/17, 9:00am - 1:30pm
(lunch is included)
Review of Worker Protection Standard Topics Including:
Basic pesticide information and regulations
The Worker Protection Standard (WPS)
WPS Agricultural Worker and Pesticide Handler Training
How to conduct training
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Inspection and Enforcement Perspective
CEUs:
4 Private Applicator
4 Aerial Application
4 Ag Row Crop
4 Ag Tree Crop
4 Forestry
4 Ornamental & Turf
4 Soil & Greenhouse Fumigation

Registration - Registration is required.
CORE: https://core2017balm.eventbrite.com
PRIVATE:  https://private2017balm.eventbrite.com
WPS T-T-T:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/commercial-wps-train-the-trainer-balm-tickets-30924974431

Cancellations - If your class is canceled for any reason you will be notified no less than 24 hours prior to class start. We will provide a full refund for cancellations made by Manatee County Extension. Refunds may take up to 30 days to process.
Refunds - Refunds will be made in the event of a class cancellation or if the registrant requests a refund 24 hours prior to the class time.
If you have any questions please contact Martha Glenn at mglenn7@ufl.edu or 941-722-4524.

New Production Technology Field Day

Join us for a field day at Hibernia Nursery where UF/IFAS Extension will demonstrate new production technologies in irrigation, watering stations and pest control.

An irrigation control system has been developed at the University of Florida, IFAS. The irrigation control system called CIRRIG uses onsite weather and leaching fraction information to automatically adjust irrigation run times daily. You will learn how CIRRIG works and see plants grown with overhead sprinkler and micro-irrigation.

A watering station is used to irrigate plants immediately after planting. The watering station complies with new Best Management Practice guidelines for mitigating nutrients in runoff water.

Pest control at Hibernia Nursery is accomplished with the Airtec Sprayer. The efficient delivery of pesticides and precision control of pests have reduced costs.

The event will be on December 7, 2017, at 09:00 and run until 13:30 with a lunch being served.  Tickets are free but you must preregister for a spot.  Registration is limited to 40 people
and closes Nov. 30, 2017. Please register to receive lunch.  Here is the link if you would like to attend.  www.tiny.cc/Hibernia_BMP

Here is the agenda...
9:00 a.m. - Check In
9:15 a.m.  - Introductions and Overview of Technologies
10:00 a.m.  - Visit Field Sites
12:15 p.m.  - Lunch
1:00 p.m.  - Concluding Comments

The location will be at HIBERNIA NURSERY 1176 C. 478A, Webster, Florida 33597

Participants requiring special accommodations contact 352.569.6862 five days prior to event.

UF Poinsettia Trial and Greenhouse Field Day

The Poinsettia Industry Trials at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL is now open for pre-registration.  The event will take place on Dec. 5, 2017 at the Environmental Horticulture Greenhouses at Fifield Hall.  The event highlights 148 new poinsettia varieties from Beekenkamp, Dummen Orange, Selecta/Ball, Suntory, and Syngenta, along with University of Florida research on a range of greenhouse topics.  Here is a link to register.  http://tinyurl.com/FLPoinsettia17 .  It will cost $50 (plus processing fee for preregistration).

Here is an agenda for the day. 

9.00:  Registration and greenhouse walk-through
9.30:  Welcome and introductions
9.45:  Poinsettia cultivar trials (George Grant, UF)
11.00:  University research presentations, including heat delay and natural day flowering, Klasmann-Deilmann and Pindstrup wood fiber growing media, coleus varieties, superfoods (ginger, turmeric), CT scanning of roots, and biofilm management
12.00:  BBQ lunch (includes vegetarian options)
12.45:  Commercial breeder presentations by Beekenkamp, Dummen Orange, Selecta/Ball, Suntory, and Syngenta
2.00:  Finish

Do Tailwater Recovery Ponds Help Growers?

SWFWMD and farmers may have slightly different ideas on the purpose of tailwater recovery ponds.  In fact, even I was under a big misconception regarding the purpose of these ponds.  Many growers are operating on a false assumption that ponds are a way to capture and store excess water for use whenever needed or in amounts above their water use permit (WUP).  SWFWMD sees them as a way to reduce groundwater pumping from the aquifer.

The development of surface water and tailwater recovery reservoirs are effective BMPs to achieve both water quality improvements and groundwater conservation. These reservoirs are typically excavated below ground level at the low end of a farm to collect excess irrigation water and storm water run-off. The use of these reservoirs for irrigation is effective in reducing or "offsetting" the amount of groundwater that is withdrawn from the Upper Floridan aquifer for irrigation and frost/freeze protection. They also improve water quality of the downstream watershed by reducing irrigation runoff of mineralized groundwater applied to crops.

To incentivize implementation of farm ponds as a source of irrigation water, the FARMS Program and the producer share the total project costs of the components and materials used in the construction of pump stations that withdraw water from the reservoir and feed it into the irrigation system. This includes, but may not be limited to: surface water pumps; power units for the pump; materials for the foundation and protective structure; filtration systems, fuel tanks, and flow meters; culverts and control structures that enhance tailwater recovery; intake/mainline piping and any other necessary appurtenances to connect the surface water pump station to the existing irrigation system. Although excavation of the reservoir itself is not considered a FARMS eligible cost, it can be included in the total project cost and go towards the grower’s required contribution.

Before the new farm pond is operational the grower will need to modify his/her Water Use Permit to include the new surface withdrawal. The amount of water that is withdrawn from the pond is identified on the Water Use Permit as a surface withdrawal and those same quantities will be shown as stand-by on the new permit.

 First let’s use an example of a nursery that is permitted for ten acres, puts in a one acre pond.   For starters, the nursery now has nine acres of production, so the WUP is decreased by one acre since there are only nine acres of production land.  So the total quantity allocated to the farm is lowered.  Some of the water that was allocated on the WUP will be taken off the ground water and moved to the surface water of the pond and that same quantity will be a standby quantity on the ground well should the pond go dry.  Let’s just say that is 10% for example sake.  So your total allocation must be met with surface water first and then ground water secondly.  If your surface water supplies more than the 10%, you can pump from the surface water and reduce the groundwater pumping, however, you still cannot exceed your total WUP (surface + ground cannot be greater than 100%) allocated to the 9 acres.   This is where growers find difficulty.  If you supplied half of your WUP with your surface water you cannot pump the 90% allocated on your permit from the groundwater.  You would be exceeding your total WUP (50% surface and 90% goundwater= 140% of total WUP).    Always read and ask questions about your WUP before you sign it to eliminate conflicts down the road.  Ponds may work well when there is too much pressure on ground water resources in an area or if there are issues with ground water quality but may take out potentially productive land. District staff are available to assist any grower with questions/concerns about the use of alternative water supply projects.  Growers are encouraged to contact Reed Putnall, Hydrogeologist, FARMS Program, (941) 377 – 3722, ext. 6546.

Waste Disposal Survey

A senior at UF is looking for some help with her research project on waste disposal in agriculture.  If you could take a brief survey it would greatly help her out.

Waste disposal is an area of growing concern in the US. Please take the to complete a short survey that is attached. It's purpose is to explore waste disposal practices and attitudes towards waste disposal in agriculture across Florida. This survey is part of a research project being conducted by a senior at the University of Florida. It will be used to help solve environmental quality issues and help promote the presence of agriculture in the state for future generations.  Thank you.
https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6ih3BTglmHi7hs1