Christmas Tree Newsletter

Transcription

1 Christmas Tree Newsletter Watauga County Center April 2011 Upcoming Events 1 Nitrogen Considerations 1-2 Pest Control 3-4 Farm Safety % Campaign 6 Watauga County Center 971 West King Street Boone, NC (Phone) (Fax) Meghan_Baker@ncsu.edu CHRISTMAS TREE PEST WORKSHOP, APRIL 11 The Watauga County Cooperative Extension will provide a workshop on identifying and managing insect pest problems on Christmas trees on Monday, April 11 beginning at 6 PM. The workshop will be held at the Watauga Agricultural Conference Center located at 252 Poplar Grove Road in Boone. Dr. Jill Sidebottom will share with growers new pest control products and timing windows, as well as discuss scouting methods and new discoveries in pest management. This workshop will offer participants 1 hour of private and commercial pesticide credits. This is a free workshop, however please contact the Watauga Extension Center to reserve your spot. For more information call ARE YOU A CHOOSE & CUT GROWER IN WATAUGA COUNTY? Watauga Cooperative Extension will host an informal planning meeting for Choose and Cut growers in preparation for the 2011 Choose and Cut Season. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 13 th at 1 PM at the Sagebrush in Boone. We will discuss aspects of the 2010 season and brainstorm potential marketing ideas for Please RSVP to the Watauga Extension office by Tuesday, April 12 th. For more information call NITROGEN FERTILIZER SOURCE CONSIDERATIONS FOR FRASER FIR By Ron Gehl, NCSU Soil Science Appropriate rate and timing of N fertilizer additions are critical to profitable and sustainable production of quality Fraser fir. The recommended best management practice for N fertilization of Fraser fir Christmas trees includes applying 0.5 ounces N per tree for years 1 and 2 (establishment), and split-applying N for trees 3+ years in the field, at 0.5 oz per tree in the spring and 0.3 to 0.5 oz per tree in the fall. Significant N applications outside of the recommended timings increase the risk for N loss by volatilization, leaching, or denitrification, particularly in the wet early spring soil conditions common to western NC. Untimely applications can also reduce tree growth during the peak summer growing season and might affect bud set and hardening off as the trees prepare for their winter dormancy ultimately affecting the growth and quality of the trees on your farm. Too much N applied at once, depending on the source and timing, might also result in salt injury to the tree s roots and subsequently, the foliage. Growers who plan on split-applications of N are challenged by the risk of not having time to get the fertilizer applied, in addition to the possibility of unfavorable weather that may restrict field entry at the appropriate time. (continued on page 2...)

2 A possible solution to this challenge is the use of a controlled- or delayed-release N fertilizer source, which could be applied in the spring with reduced risk of loss compared with readily soluble N sources ( traditional fertilizer products). These types of N fertilizer products are not a new concept, and variations of these products have existed for decades. Some examples include ureaformaldehyde polymers, sulfur coated urea, and polymer coated urea. The timing of N release with these products varies by type and by manufacturer specifications but can range from relatively quick release (days or weeks) to relatively long release (years). Products are also available that reduce potential N losses of soluble fertilizers, typically by addition of specific chemistries that limit, reduce, or block specific steps in N transformation cycles. If you are considering using a N control product on your Christmas tree farm, there are a few points to keep in mind: What is the base product and what are the most likely avenues for N loss? For example, nitratebased sources have the greatest immediate potential of N loss via leaching, while urea-based products have a greater risk for volatilization. Many of the fertilizer products available specifically target, and attempt to reduce, specific N loss mechanisms. What is the specific mode of action for a product (how does it work?), and how does it affect N availability to your trees? Does the release rate of a product coincide with tree nutrient demand and with your management practices? product works on a cornfield in Iowa does not mean it will work the same in the mountains of NC, but that s not to say that it won t. Every year, new fertilizer products become available, so consider giving the most attention to products that have been tested and proven effective by independent research, regardless of where the tests were done. Rather than placing all your fertilizer eggs in one basket, consider doing some strip or block trials with new products, and evaluate how well they perform compared with your traditional practices. Certainly the possibility exists that some products will reduce N loss potential in your growing environment. Consider the economics of new products compared with your current practices. If you re a grower that applies split N applications, some of these products might eliminate the need for the second trip across the field, resulting in labor and time savings that might offset the initial added costs. If you sometimes add a little more than the recommended amount of N to counter the effects of N loss, you may be able to back away from that costly and environmentally-unfriendly practice. In a challenging market, it s always important to consider ways you might improve your farm management to remain profitable, sustainable, and environmentally considerate. Perhaps a new fertilizer source might fit well into your management and ultimately improve your tree fertility program. Hopefully, these important points will help give you some direction on making future fertilizer decisions. Some products are, in the most basic form, insurance against potential N loss. If conditions in the field (soils, residues, weather, etc.) are not favorable for N loss, readily soluble products are quite suitable for use. On the other hand, if field conditions are favorable for losses, proven specialty fertilizers might more than pay for added costs by reducing overall N loss. As is always the case with agriculture, so much depends on the weather! Most independent and/or university research that have tested many of these products has occurred on commercial row crops. There is very little, if any, data on currently available products when used in many specialty crops, such as Fraser fir. Because a 2

3 COMBINING PEST CONTROL TREATMENTS IN FRASER FIR Prepared by Jill R. Sidebottom, Extension Specialist Applying an insecticide to Christmas trees is expensive. It is important to control as many pests as possible. It is just as important not to make other pests worse from an unnecessary insecticide application. It s not easy deciding when to treat and with what. The following are suggestions on how to decide what to use. Abbreviations: BWA: Balsam woolly adelgid BTA: Balsam twig aphid SSM: Spruce spider mite HRM: Hemlock rust mite RBM: Rosette bud mite EHS: Elongate hemlock scale Step 1: Scout If you don t scout, you won t know what you need to treat for. There is no pesticide or combination of pesticides that is always effective against all pests. For instance, in the past many growers tried to treat with a combination of Thionex and Dimethoate. They ended up with scale problems and poor mite control. So scout before you decide. It really is worth it. The following are important considerations to learn from scouting: Is one or more of the major three pests (BWA, EHS, or RBM) present? These pests are the hardest to control and may require specific timing. Controlling these should be a grower s first priority. Other pests can be efficiently controlled while controlling these. Is the field prone to problems with mites? If so, using the synthetic pyrethroids during the spring and summer can make mites worse. But if mites aren t a problem, these same materials can control a wide variety of pests with little cost. Step 2: Decide on pesticides and timing By choosing an appropriate material and timing, multiple pests can be controlled. The following is a step-by-step decision guide on what to use and when. 1. DO YOU HAVE RBM? If so, the bad new is you ll have to use a high-pressure sprayer. The good news is you can also control all other pests at the same time. Dimethoate applied when the new growth is out 4 to 8 inches controls RBM. It will also control BTA for next year, because aphids are laying their eggs at this time of year. Add Asana and you also control BWA and EHS. June is the best time of year to treat for EHS control. If mites are a problem, add Envidor. You should get two to three years worth of RBM control out of this treatment. 2. DO YOU HAVE EHS? This is the hardest pest to control. Summer treatments work best Dimethoate + Asana from June through mid August the earlier the better. This will also control BWA and BTA for next year. Pre-bud break treatments with Dimethoate + Asana also give some control, but wait as close to bud break as possible to get the full effect. A high-pressure sprayer will provide better control, but growers have been able to keep EHS from spreading to other trees by using a mistblower. This is one pest where culling your worst infested trees will give you better control. Experimental controls with Safari continue to be effective, but it may take several months to see results (see below). 3. DO YOU HAVE BWA? Basically, you can treat any time of year to control woollies with Talstar, Asana or Thionex. Thionex will no longer be legal to use after summer Remember these BWA materials also make mites worse so scout after use. Targeting treatment in the fall with Asana or Talstar lessens impacts on predators and will also control BTA for next year and Cinara aphids in harvest trees. SSM is also controlled by Talstar. Lorsban and horticultural oil also control woollies during the winter when eggs aren t present. 3 (continued on page 4...)

4 4. ONLY HAVE BTA? Treating in the fall with Talstar can still be a good way to control twig aphids. The benefits to treat for BTA in the fall are 1) you have more time, 2) can chose better weather conditions, and 3) you won t be creating problems with rust mites. If you haven t controlled BTA the summer or fall before AND you are nearing harvest, you should treat for BTA in the spring before bud break. If twig aphids are all you have, many growers use Dimethoate alone. If you also have SSM and/or HRM, add a miticide as the Dimethoate will not give long-lasting control. Talstar or Asana by themselves also control BTA, but they can make HRM a problem the following spring. These can be applied even in February. Thionex will control BTA from mid-april through bud break. Lorsban and Movento are also options for BTA control. 5. CONCERNED ABOUT MITES? Miticides vary in which mites and mite stage they control. If you don t control the eggs, mites will quickly rebound. Envidor controls eggs and active HRM and SSM. Talstar controls eggs and active SSM but makes HRM worse. Dimethoate controls active HRM and SSM but not the eggs of either one, allowing the mites to rebound if environmental conditions remain favorable to them. Savey controls eggs of SSM but not active SSM or any stage of HRM. Apollo controls eggs of SSM and HRM but not active mites. That s why these products are often paired with Dimethoate. The better the spray coverage, the better the control with miticides. 6. INTERESTED IN A LOW-TOXICITY OPTION? 2% horticultural oil applied with a high-pressure sprayer in March will control BTA and HRM and reduce problems with BWA, EHS and SSM. This treatment made every spring should provide good overall pest control. Saf-T-Side spray oil does not require continuous agitation for the oil to remain mixed with water. Also remember when choosing pesticides: 1. REMEMBER TO ROTATE is the first rule of thumb. Don t use the same insecticide year after year. Your pests may become resistant. Rotate between chemical families REMEMBER YOUR PREDATORS. You may not see them, but they are really important. Almost all Christmas tree insecticides commonly used hurt predators. That s why it s important to only treat when you have to and with what you have to. Treating in the fall and winter causes the least impact on predators. 3. DON T GET IN A HURRY. I get calls from growers in a panic who sprayed three days ago and are still seeing live bugs. For aphids and mites, wait 1-2 weeks to access control. For BWA, wait at least a month. For EHS, wait 2-4 months. Honestly. It can take that long! 4. DON T FORGET THE CHAINSAW -- especially in this market where you can t sell every tree anyway. By cutting pest-infested trees down and removing them, you are removing a big source of additional insects, and you will get more out of your pesticide spray. About Systemics... There s a lot of interest in the new systemics Safari and Movento. That is because, though these products are expensive, you don t have to get as good coverage with them because they redistribute themselves in the plant. SAFARI is not currently labeled for Christmas trees, but it may receive a label in Control of BWA has been excellent, even with poor coverage. It does not control BTA or mites. Control of EHS has been variable, but these results may be because it can take months to be effective. A new application method has been researched in Connecticut where Safari is applied just to the trunk of the tree in April and early summer, resulting in EHS control. Research on this method of application will take place in NC this spring. MOVENTO has a Christmas tree label. In studies so far, it has proven to be an excellent control of BWA and adequate control of BTA. It may suppress mites. It requires the use of an adjuvant to get better penetration and control. The best adjuvant for use to date has been LIBERATE. If treating BTA in the spring, apply several weeks before bud break as it takes time to be effective.

5 THE MOST DANGEROUS AND UNDERSTATED FARM SAFETY HAZARD: THE ASSUMPTION (Part 1 of 3) By Jim Hamilton, Watauga Co. Extension Director North Carolina s Christmas tree industry has generally been recognized for its efforts to promote a safe and educated workforce. However, farm injuries still occur despite best efforts to train workers. The cause of these injuries, in many cases, is THE ASSUMPTION. There are several assumptions that we are all guilty of making from time to time and need to pay attention to: 1) The assumption that your workers paid attention during safety training, 2) the assumption that they are wearing the proper PPE when they should, 3) the assumption that your crew leader is keeping an eye on safety in the field, 4) or even the assumption that all of your workers can read! In the next couple of issues of this newsletter, I m going to cover three of the major assumptions that can have an impact on your farm s safety record. Assumption #1: My workers are provided and use proper PPE. One of the biggest issues (found in the research journals, DOL, OSHA, etc.) on farm worker safety, especially regarding pesticide safety, is that workers mention that they are not provided or do not have access to proper personal protective equipment. Well, that s not true, Jim. I spend HUNDREDS of dollars every year on PPE!.I agree! You probably do. However, just because you bought it or provide it, does not mean your workers are getting it -- or are using it correctly. Crew leaders might forget to put it in the vehicle, or it might be in the vehicle, but the workers don t get it in the field. A suit may get torn and then put back in the truck to be used again, or your workers refuse to wear it the right way -- everyone has seen safety glasses on top of someone s head, right? Many of you are busy with marketing, meetings, purchasing and maintaining equipment, payroll -- 1,000 different things. Some of you may or may not be involved in the day-to-day field operations of your farm. You may have a crew leader or farm manager who is responsible for outfitting your 5 crews and getting them in the field each day. However, how involved are you, personally, in the worker safety protocols of your farm? Are you and your crew leaders/farm manager on the same page in regards to safety? Are your workers ACTUALLY getting and using PPE? At the end of the day, who s accountable? The following is a to-do list to make sure your farms pesticide safety assumptions match up with reality: Make sure you and your crew leaders make PPE availability and proper use a priority for your workers. Don t make them have to ask YOU for it. Your workers, for the most part, aren t going to ask you for it and aren t going to wear it correctly or at ALL if you don t require it or don t train them how to use it. If your workers are actively involved in spraying/applying pesticides, they need to understand that using PPE properly is part of their job and you won t have it any other way. If YOU make it a priority, THEY will make it a priority. If you re not positive that your workforce is up to date on pesticide safety awareness, it might be time for a refresher course -- and not just a movie night with the latest EPA safety DVD. Know the PPE requirements for each chemical you use on the farm. Not every chemical you apply requires a tyvek suit and gloves. Those thin paper tyvek suits don t work for high-pressure spraying. Roundup still requires safety glasses. Each chemical has its own specific requirements. You ve probably heard a thousand times, The label is the law. But when was the last time you (or your crew leaders) actually looked at one? Are you assuming that you know what the safety equipment requirements are? PPE requirements and field reentry intervals do change, so make sure you periodically take a look at the label. I ve pasted the link here to a list of the commonly used chemicals in the industry and the PPE required. If you haven t seen it before, it s a great resource (even though it s a bit long to type): grams/xmas/pest-info/pesticideinfo.html (continued on page 6...)

6 ENCOURAGE your workforce to let you know if their equipment gets torn or doesn t work right. Again, more than likely, most workers probably aren t going to make a big deal about it if you don t. Before you have a crew going out to spray, make sure you and/or your crew leaders have enough safety equipment and that it s working properly. There s no point in wearing a torn suit. How often do cartridges get changed in your respirators? Make sure that suits, gloves, etc., fit the workers too. Workers are less likely to wear gloves if they re the wrong size. And remember, if you only ask them if everything s OK, how often are you going to hear them say, Well actually, jefe, I was a little concerned that the cartridge in my respirator might have expired. Not often! You re the one that s going to have to be proactive. Inspect your field operations before someone else does! Visit your crews in the field periodically when they are applying chemicals, and call them out if you notice they re not using/wearing proper PPE. If your workers know that you take safety seriously and call them on it, they ll be more interested in following your lead. This is better than getting a call from the pesticide inspector informing you of an impending fine or seeing a pictorial article of your workers pressure-spraying without PPE in a major paper. When was the last time a journalist wrote about GOOD safety practices on the farm? I m sure you re all too familiar with the assumptions THEY make about farm safety. JOIN THE 10% CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT LOCAL GROWERS! Make the Choice. Make a Difference. Make it Local. Don t forget to support North Carolina farmers by signing up to pledge to spend 10 percent of your existing food dollars locally. Your food dollars circulate through the local economy and help support other farmers, businesses and the community. Do your part to keep agriculture a growing industry in North Carolina! Newsletter compiled and edited by: Meghan Baker Extension Agent, Agriculture Christmas Trees and Commercial Horticulture Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by North Carolina Cooperative Extension nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact your county Cooperative Extension agent. 6