Environmentally responsible pest management guide published for California almond growers
 Davis, California - - A guide to help almond growers make environmentally responsible pest
management decisions year-round without decreasing their yields or increasing their reject levels has been
published by the University of California.
The Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds summarizes
practices demonstrated in a 5-year project funded with $476,000 in Pest Management Alliance grants from the
California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). The Almond Pest Management Alliance, which coordinated
the demonstrations, is a public/private partnership of University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE)
farm advisors and area Integrated Pest Management (UC Statewide IPM Program) advisors, the Almond Board of
California, the Almond Hullers and Processors Association and DPR.
"We are pleased to make available to almond growers the results of five years of research into the pros and
cons of a reduced-risk system of almond production," said Chris Heintz, director of production research and
the environment for the Almond Board of California. "Results show that extensive orchard monitoring is the
key to success in controlling key pests and diseases. Reduced risk practices appear to be useful in controlling
pests below economic damage levels. This Seasonal Guide contains color photographs and seasonal tips
that will help growers carry out an effective reduced risk IPM program."
Authored by UC Statewide IPM Program advisors in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys and UCCE farm advisors
in Butte, Stanislaus and Kern counties, the Seasonal Guide builds on many years of accumulated UC research
directed at environmentally sound solutions to almond pest problems. Dr. Rick Roush, Director of the UC Statewide
IPM Program, stated, "Pest management problems are not easily solved and continue to change. Many people have
been involved in developing IPM programs for almonds, and we are delighted to have coordinated the production
of this guide, which connects and summarizes all of this research."
Added DPR Director Mary-Ann Warmerdam: "This guide is a tangible example of the benefits of public-private
partnerships to advance the cause of reduced-risk pest management. DPR applauds almond growers who demonstrate
that what's good for business can also be good for the environment."
The Seasonal Guide points out to growers that a seasonal approach is needed in managing pests in an
environmentally friendly manner. Because it is important to monitor for pests in the dormant period or early
in the year before pests reach thresholds that require treatment, the Seasonal Guide outlines steps
growers can take in their orchard during each particular period of the year.
Publication of the Seasonal Guide was made possible by
a grant provided by the U.S. EPA to the California Department
of Pesticide Regulation. The $40,000 grant was awarded in October
2003 to help growers understand
new state regulations that protect waterways from pesticide impacts
and to support the almond industry's efforts to promote more environmentally
sensitive methods of pest control.
"We appreciate the almond industry's leadership in educating its growers about how to manage pests in an
environmentally friendly manner," said Kathy Taylor, Agriculture Program Director in EPA's Pacific Southwest
regional office. "This guide should be a great asset as the industry takes important voluntary efforts to
address the potential impacts of pesticides on air and water quality."
As part of the grant, DPR, in cooperation with UC Cooperative
Extension, will sponsor a series of grower workshops to help growers
understand the relationship between their pest management practices
and the state's
dormant spray regulations and pollutant loads into waterways. "We
look forward to working with the almond industry in our ongoing
efforts to better understand dormant spray impacts and best management
practices," said
DPR Director Warmerdam.
The 8-page Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management in Almonds, UC ANR Publication
21619 will be distributed to growers attending the Almond Board's annual research conference Dec. 1-2 and
will also be mailed to almond growers throughout the state. The guide is also available from the University
of California for $7.00 by calling 1-800-994-8849 or logging on to http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu.
Sales tax, shipping, and handling are added to the cost of each order. Quantity and reseller discounts are
available. Further details on the Year-Round IPM Program for Almonds can also be found on the Pest
Management Guidelines page of the UC Statewide IPM Program web site.
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