Pest Management University Website

Check out this website for information about pest control:  http://pmu.ifas.ufl.edu/news  Also, see their newsletters for upcoming class and pest information. 

Here is a link to their archived newsletters:  http://pmu.ifas.ufl.edu/pmu-news/pest-management-news-feed 

Want to sign up for their newsletters?  Go to this link and email them:  http://pmu.ifas.ufl.edu/pmu-news/learn-how-to-stay-informed-pmu-news

Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference

For:  Informing and Inspiring Agricultural Innovators

When:  August 2-4, 2013 * Kissimmee, FL

More information:  www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms

How to Save on Taxes

It's tax time...see this UF/IFAS video on how to save money on your taxes:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU1-ITIgQAo&feature=em-subs_digest

Get Your CEUs

picture from prohortmanatee.wordpress.com

Need to renew your pesticide license???  Several categories are offered at our "CEU Variety Pack" on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Attend the afternoon and core sessions to get your 4 CEUs for renewal for lawn/turf and ornamental categories.

Aquatic, Right-of-way, Natural Areas + others also available. 

You can select 2, 4 or 6 CEUs.
To register go to this link: http://ceu-variety-pack-eorg.eventbrite.com/#
AGENDA   9:30-10:00 Check-in

Morning session:

10:00-10:50 Herbicides Modes of Action and Resistance Management

Dr. Bill Haller

Herbicide resistance is a major concern in all herbicide applications. Applicators become comfortable with certain herbicides and herbicide mixes and use them repeatedly year after year. During this presentation, Dr. Haller will give examples of herbicide resistance and how to prevent or best manage to minimize the development of resistant weed populations.

10:50-11:40 Weed Control in Florida’s Waters and Natural Areas

Dr. Lyn Gettys

Dr. Gettys will discuss the common pathways for weed introduction in Florida, present historical accounts of the state’s invasion by hydrilla, waterhyacinth, Brazilian pepper and other weeds and cover management options for controlling the “10 most-wanted list” of Florida’s aquatic, upland and natural areas weeds.

Morning session CEUs: Aquatic (2), ROW (2), NA (2), Demo & Research (2), Private (2),
Comm L & O (1), Lmt. L & O (1), LCLM (1), O & T (1),

11:40-1:00 Turn in survey, receive CEU form and Lunch on own
12:45 – 1:00 Check-in for afternoon session

Afternoon session:

1:00-1:50 Preventing Herbicide Failures

Dr. Brent Sellers

Dr. Sellers will describe the most common reasons for herbicide failures or reductions in efficacy and how to tailor treatment programs to get the most “bang for your buck” – attaining optimum weed control while minimizing pesticide use and exposure.

1:50-2:40 Equipment Calibration

Dr. Brent Sellers

Dr. Sellers will discuss the importance of equipment calibration and will describe the protocols that should be followed to reduce pesticide use and exposure. This talk will provide valuable information to licensed pesticide applicators of all categories.

Afternoon session CEUs: Aquatic (2), Demo & Research (2), Natural Areas (2), Private (2), Regulatory (2), Right-of-Way (2), Comm. L & O (2), Lmt. L & O (2), LCLM (2), O & T (2)

2:40 turn in survey, receive CEU attendance forms, check-in for CORE

CORE session: 2 CEUs

3:00-4:40 FDACS Vehicle Inspection

Paul Mitola, FDACS Field Training Coordinator

4:40 Turn in survey, receive CEU attendance form, adjourn.


Speaker Bios

Dr. Bill Haller is a Professor of Agronomy at the University of Florida in Gainesville, specializing in Aquatic Weed Science. His research is focused on aquatic weed management; in addition, Dr. Haller is also the Acting Director of the UF IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

Dr. Brent Sellers is an Associate Professor of Agronomy at the University of Florida Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona, specializing in Weed Science. His focus areas include identifying problematic weeds in pastures and rangeland and implementing economically and environmentally sound control measures, examining weed biology and ecology as related to pasture and rangeland management strategies, and weed control in fence rows and pasture borders.

Dr. Lyn Gettys is an Assistant Professor of Agronomy at the University of Florida Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie, specializing in Aquatic and Wetland Plant Science. Her focus areas include identification, biology and control of invasive aquatic and wetland species, plant propagation and development of novel techniques to increase the success of aquatic restoration and mitigation projects.

Wanted! - Chinch Bugs

Got chinch bugs???  Dr. Buss needs lots and lots of chinch bugs this year for some lab and greenhouse tests. She is trying to determine some nitty-gritty information on how chinch bugs develop resistance, and ultimately how to manage insecticide resistant populations.

If you see some beefy populations (call before they get treated, please). Dr. Eileen Buss' office number is 352-273-3976, and email is eabuss@ufl.edu.  No chinch bug will be turned away (unless it's already dead).

She would love to get a couple populations from Georgia, Alabama, and Texas, if possible, too. Have truck, will travel (or pay for FedEx)... :)

Pumping Summer Iron on Turf?

Have you seen more take-all root rot in St. Augustine grass this year?

Have you been applying iron to turf during the summer N & P fertilizer ban?  Do you apply manganese along witht the iron? 

There may be a link between applications of iron (Fe) without applications of manganese (Mn) promoting manganese deficiency.  The ratio of Fe:Mn should not be less than 2:1.  Mn deficiency seems to make the turf more susceptible to take-all root rot.

Please let me know of your experience out in the field.  This may change UF recommendations for turf growing on high pH soils, or those irrigated with alkaline water.  Post your comment below.  Thanks.

Water Restrictions Differ for St. Petersburg

As you may know, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board issued Water Shortage Emergency Order #2013-006 to tighten water use in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties, starting March 13th.

To best meet the needs of our customers and water supply system, the watering schedule for St. Petersburg’s water customers within City limits differs from the Water Shortage Order. St. Petersburg’s water customers at locations within St. Petersburg city limits that use potable (city) water, water from private wells, or surface water sources (lakes, ponds, etc.) are required to follow this watering schedule:

● property addresses ending in an even number are permitted to water on Saturday only; ● addresses ending with an odd number are permitted to water on Sunday only; ● allowable watering hours are 5 to 9 a.m. and/or 7 to 11 p.m.

Reclaimed water users are asked to follow a voluntary three-days-a-week schedule. Phase 3 restrictions will restrict other water uses, such as aesthetic fountains and car washing events.