2013 Highlights: UC IPM Annual Report
Alfalfa IPM workshop
Harvesting a healthy crop of alfalfa. (Photo by S. Paisley.)
IN BRIEF
- 65 growers and PCAs attended the comprehensive alfalfa IPM workshop.
- Case studies outlined steps to diagnose field problems.
- Participants identified additional training as a key IPM issue.
In April 2013, UC experts, alfalfa producers, and pest control advisers from both California and Arizona came together in a workshop to review the current status of IPM knowledge and practices for alfalfa.
All disciplines were covered: insects and mites, weeds, diseases, nematodes, vertebrates, and production practices. The goals of the workshop were to review current IPM knowledge and practices, share best management approaches, identify key IPM issues, and explore emerging and current regulatory and environmental issues as they relate to IPM in alfalfa.
In addition to traditional presentations and discussions, afternoon breakout sessions featured field diagnostics demonstrations. From case studies, participants learned step by step how to identify and solve a pest problem.
Sixty-five participants attended the workshop held at the UC Riverside Palm Desert Center in California?s southern desert region. Ninety percent of the participants responded positively or very positively to the value, usefulness, and applicability of the training, and many asked for even more training on related topics.
The workshop featured nine speakers, including UCCE Advisor Vonny Barlow and UC IPM Advisor Pete Goodell. Also presenting were UCCE Advisor Andre Biscaro and UCCE specialists Larry Godfrey, Antoon Ploeg, and Dan Putnam, plus others from the University of Arizona and industry.
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