ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA 1150 Ninth Street, Suite 1500 Modesto, CA Tel: (209) I n.com The Almond Pest Management Alliance 1998 – 2003
Page 2 Outline for Today’s Presentation Why did we pursue a PMA? What were our expectations? What have been our accomplishments? What have we learned?
Page 3 Why an Almond PMA? Good fit with industry goals Supplements our research program Enhances relationship with regulators
Page 4 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
Page 5 More about the almond industry Acreage: Estimated 525,000 bearing acres Grower Returns: Exceed $1 billion Growers: 6000 Handlers 114
Page 6 Snapshot of the Almond Industry Worldwide significance: Export to approximately 80 countries Top agricultural export in California 75% of worldwide production California-based
Page 7 Top 5 California Exports by Value 2000 Millions of Dollars
Page 8 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
Page 9 What is the overall goal of the PMA? Evaluate the possibility of managing pests with less disruptive pesticides
Page 10 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
Page 11 How is the PMA designed? 3 Regional Plots Northern Sacramento Valley Central San Joaquin Valley Southern San Joaquin Valley Conventional vs. Reduced Risk Treatments
Page 12 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
Page 13 How is the PMA funded? Direct Costs for the Almond Board Year Year Year 3 - $9,595 Year 4 - $16,000 Year 5 - $38,000
Page 14 How is the PMA funded?
Page 15 What are the target pests of the PMA? Navel Orangeworm Peach Twig Borer San Jose Scale Mites Ants
Page 16 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
Page 17 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
Page 18 Outreach and Education - Lessons Learned Coincide meetings with spray decisions Dormant In-season
Page 19 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
Page 20 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
Page 21 What are other measures of success? > $1/2 M in additional research Use of OP’s declining
Page 22 How can you find us on the web? 1) almondboard.com /programs/environmental/PMA 2) lookercomm.com /Almond PMA
Page 23 Who do we thank? DPR UC Cooperative Extension Project Manager: Mark Looker CAFF Grower Cooperators