by Steve Byrnes, Texas A&M AgriLife
New developments in sheep and goat internal parasite mitigation should be a major draw at this year’s Texas Sheep and Goat Expo Aug. 17 and 18 in San Angelo, coordinators said.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service sponsored event headquarters in the First Community Spur Arena on the San Angelo Fairgrounds. Continue reading
Filed under: news | Tagged: ARS, internal parasite, Sheep and Goat Expo, sheep and goat parasite, Texas A&M | Leave a comment »
For farmers, successful use of cultural disease and insect pest management methods to prevent and/or avoid problems before they occur depends on an understanding of pathogen and pest life cycles and also how their development may be affected by weather conditions. In this workshop, vegetable disease and insect pest management experts will discuss life cycles of key disease pathogens and insect pests affecting vegetables both above and below-ground. They will also explain how growers may use this information to implement certain cultural management practices that help to prevent or avoid disease and pest problems, and how changes in weather can affect disease and pest development. The workshop will conclude with a session on selection and application of organic insecticides for use in vegetables. Continue reading
Filed under: news | Tagged: Clemson University, cultural practices, integrated pest management, organic, sustainable agriculture | Leave a comment »
Attend the first-ever Pollinator Field Day to learn about honeybees and native bees/pollinators, plants and habitat for pollinators, protecting pollinators from pesticides, and much more.
Audience: Farmers; Beekeepers; Soil&Water Conservation District Supervisors and Staff; Extension Agents; Urban Planners; Landscapers and Landscape Architects; Master Gardeners; Nurserymen/Greenhouse Growers.
When: Saturday, September 8, 1-5 PM
Where: Piedmont Research Station, 8350 Sherrill’s Ford Road, Salisbury, NC 28147 Continue reading
Filed under: news | Tagged: honey bee health, pollinator field day, pollinator health, pollinator protection | Leave a comment »
by Katie Pratt, University of Kentucky
A University of Kentucky research team led by entomologist Subba Reddy Palli discovered a protein that plays a critical role in the effectiveness of RNA interference in beetles. This finding could improve the efficiency of this pest control technology and help manage resistance.
RNA interference, RNAi, is a process where RNA molecules constrain gene expression. It is very efficient in insects belonging to the order Coleoptera, which includes a variety of major pests such as the corn rootworm, Colorado potato beetle, pine weevil, powderpost beetle, Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer. However, it has varying levels of efficiency in other insects. Continue reading
Filed under: news | Tagged: Asian longhorned beetle, colorado potato beetle, emerald ash borer, invasive species, RNA, RNAi, University of Kentucky | Leave a comment »
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Harris County Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are sponsoring a 3-day workshop on mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases in Jackson, Mississippi.
Date: August 28-30
Place: 570 E. Woodrow Wilson Ave, Jackson, MS.
Register: https://livestockvetento.tamu.edu/3-day-master-vector-certification-course/ Continue reading
Filed under: news | Tagged: 3-day workshop, mosquitoes, Texas AgriLife, vector-borne diseases, West Nile, Zika | Leave a comment »
Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding all of Minnehaha County in South Dakota and areas north of Highway 18 in Lincoln County and north of Highway 18 and east of Highway 19 in Turner County in South Dakota to the list of regulated areas for the emerald ash borer (EAB). APHIS is taking this action in response to the expansion of EAB in these areas.
To prevent the spread of EAB to other states, the attached Federal Order outlines specific conditions for the interstate movement of EAB-regulated articles from the quarantined area. Specifically, the interstate movement of EAB-host wood and wood products from the quarantined areas is regulated, including firewood of all hardwood species, nursery stock, green lumber, waste, compost, and chips of ash species. Continue reading
Filed under: news | Tagged: APHIS, don't move firewood, EAB, emerald ash borer, invasive species, quarantine | Leave a comment »
A working group focusing on the tawny crazy ant is developing materials to help people identify and manage this pest.
First funded in 2015, the Tawny Crazy Ant Working Group used a 2017 IPM Enhancement grant to create videos, conference booth materials and booklets with information about the ant. Continue reading
Filed under: featured | Tagged: Alabama Cooperative Extension, Auburn University, Fudd Graham, invasive species, rasberry crazy ant, tawny crazy ant | Leave a comment »
The Western Integrated Pest Management Center is seeking a new Director. The Western Integrated Pest Management Center (WIPMC) Director within the UC Statewide IPM Program will provide overall leadership of WIPMC, with responsibility for its successful management and operations, including supervision of all WIPMC staff, and will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to identify regional IPM objectives and formulate strategies to address important IPM issues. Please click here for the full job description and to apply.
This position is headquartered in Davis, California (Yolo County) Continue reading
Filed under: employment | Tagged: integrated pest management, IPM Center director, Western IPM Center | Leave a comment »
Funds may be awarded up to $100,000 for a Phase I project. Proposed Phase I projects should prove the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept. Projects dealing with agriculturally related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies are encouraged across all SBIR topic areas. USDA SBIR’s flexible research areas ensure innovative projects consistent with USDA’s vision of a healthy and productive nation in harmony with the land, air, and water. USDA SBIR Program has awarded over 2000 research and development projects since 1983, allowing hundreds of small businesses to explore their technological potential, and providing an incentive to profit from the commercialization of innovative ideas. Visit the Small Business Innovation Research Program page for more information on the SBIR program. Continue reading
Filed under: funding | Tagged: NIFA, SBIR, small business, small business funding, small business innovation research, USDA | Leave a comment »
Atrazine Human Health Risk Assessment Now Available for Public Comment
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is releasing the atrazine draft human health risk assessment for public comment. The assessment identifies potential risks to children who crawl and play on lawns sprayed with atrazine and to workers who apply atrazine and/or enter treated fields after application.
Atrazine is one of the most widely used agricultural pesticides in the United States. It is used to control broadleaf and grassy weeds on corn, sorghum, and sugarcane, and to a lesser extent on residential lawns and golf courses. In the assessment, EPA reviewed all available scientific data, including published toxicity and epidemiology literature. The assessment uses multiple lines of evidence and methodologies that reflect current science. Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: atrazine, EPA, herbicides, human health, human health risk assessment, pesticides, propazine, public comment, public comment atrazine, simazine | Leave a comment »