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The Almond Pest Management Alliance 1998 – 2003. Outline for Today’s Presentation. Why did we pursue a PMA? What were our expectations? What have been our accomplishments? What have we learned?. Why an Almond PMA?. Good fit with industry goals Supplements our research program
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Outline for Today’s Presentation • Why did we pursue a PMA? • What were our expectations? • What have been our accomplishments? • What have we learned?
Why an Almond PMA? • Good fit with industry goals • Supplements our research program • Enhances relationship with regulators
Industry Goals • Inform growers of reduced risk production practices that complement IPM systems • Proactively seek solutions to emerging environmental challenges • Be responsible stewards of land, water and air • Pursue partnerships to seek ways to improve the impact of agriculture production on land, water, and air resources
More about the almond industry • Acreage: Estimated 525,000 bearing acres • Grower Returns: Exceed $1 billion • Growers: 6000 • Handlers 114
Snapshot of the Almond Industry Worldwide significance: • Export to approximately 80 countries • Top agricultural export in California • 75% of worldwide production • California-based
Top 5 California Exports by Value 2000 Millions of Dollars
Who are the partners in the PMA? • Almond Board • Almond Hullers and Processors • UC Statewide IPM Project • UC Extension Farm Advisors • Community Alliance of Family Farmers • Dept. of Pesticide Regulation
What is the overall goal of the PMA? • Evaluate the possibility of managing pests with less disruptive pesticides
What are the specific objectives? • Promote a reduced risk system of almond production • Demonstrate alternative products and practices • Compare orchard management systems as influenced by region, growing conditions, pest and disease pressure • Provide economic comparisons of conventional vs. reduced risk methods • Open channels of communication within almond industry and with regulators
How is the PMA designed? • 3 Regional Plots • Northern Sacramento Valley • Central San Joaquin Valley • Southern San Joaquin Valley • Conventional vs. Reduced Risk Treatments
How is the PMA funded? DPR Funding Year 1 - $99,000 Year 2 - $98,976 Year 3 - $98,756 Year 4 - $100,000 Year 5 - $79,487
How is the PMA funded? Direct Costs for the Almond Board Year 1 - 0 Year 2 - 0 Year 3 - $9,595 Year 4 - $16,000 Year 5 - $38,000
What are the target pests of the PMA? • Navel Orangeworm • Peach Twig Borer • San Jose Scale • Mites • Ants
What were our first lessons? • Hard to find growers willing to take risk • It’s difficult to define “conventional methods” of orchard management • Need to standardize reporting in the different plots • Need a “no input” plot • We needed more pests, more disease, and more years
What have we now learned? • Reduced risk can work for some pests in some areas • Extensive monitoring is the key • Other pests may build in population • Reduced risk may not mean reduced input
Outreach and Education - Lessons Learned Coincide meetings with spray decisions • Dormant • In-season
Outreach and Education - Lessons Learned A successful PMA program includes: • A thorough and scientific evaluation of alternative v. conventional methods of pest control • Proper pest identification • Timing crop protection methods using carefully considered monitoring and weather data
Why has the PMA been successful? • Regional Plots • Cooperation from growers • Commitment by UCCE • Contains an economic component • Outstanding turn-out at field days • Well-distributed publications • Visibility with State and Fed agencies
What are other measures of success? • > $1/2 M in additional research • Use of OP’s declining
How can you find us on the web? 1) almondboard.com /programs/environmental/PMA 2) lookercomm.com /Almond PMA
Who do we thank? DPR UC Cooperative Extension Project Manager: Mark Looker CAFF Grower Cooperators