IPM News and Events Roundup 9/24/2021
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment and funding opportunities and more from the NE IPM Center. If you have IPM-related research, events or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email me at nec2@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived here.
Regional IPM Center News Items:
North Central IPM Center Working Group and Critical Issues Grant Request for Applications
Awards are available for efforts to increase partnerships and outreach activities through the Working Group program. Approximately $200,000 is available for Working Group projects, with a maximum of $20,000 per award. Research efforts related to important pest concerns and/or management of these pests may receive funding through the Critical Issues program. Approximately $100,000 is available for Critical Issues projects, with a maximum of $50,000 per award. Applications are due November 19.
Southern IPM Friends of IPM Awards Nominations
The award program generally gets submissions from college deans, department heads, and other administrative personnel who are not usually involved directly in IPM programs but may interact or supervise students or faculty who are involved in IPM research or Extension. Student and professional award recipients are invited to participate in future award panels to assist with selection of new winners.
Southern IPM Hour webinar: Hemp in the South, Wed Oct 6, 1pm ET
Due to the ‘newness’ of this crop, university researchers and Extension personnel are unable to offer up-to-date, research-based information to our stakeholders. Growers are left with online information and anecdotal management strategies, often from outside the southeast. It is also important to note that hemp has attracted a whole new generation of farmers with little to no agricultural experience.
Other IPM News
Advances in Biostimulants as an integrated pest management tool in horticulture
This new extension publication focuses on the role of biostimulants in enhancing crop growth, health, and yield, improving soil health, inducing natural resistance, suppressing diseases and arthropod pests, and imparting tolerance to abiotic stresses. Various interactions of biostimulants with other biotic and abiotic factors in the crop environment, the different strategies for successfully using biostimulants in food production, and the challenges and future needs in promoting the use of biostimulants will be discussed in the
concluding sections.
APHIS has put out new African Swine Fever Producer’s Guide, in English and Spanish
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and deadly disease of both domestic and feral swine. There is no treatment or vaccine. ASF has never been reported in the United States. If it is detected here, approximately 76 million domestic pigs will be susceptible to this disease.
You’re standing at the start of a trail, and the sign says “Warning Tick Habitat”. What should you do? #Be Ready For Ticks
There are a few, simple things you CAN do right in this moment to better protect yourself, your family and your pets from tick bites. And, there are several best practice actions to take once you get home, or if you do find a tick, and also before going on your next outside adventure to maximize your protection. If the sign you see looks like this one, you can find out what to do with a simple smartphone click on the QR code.
EPA releases FAQ on chlorpyrifos ban;
House Republicans question EPA pesticide ban
House Oversight and Reform Committee Republicans are questioning EPA’s decision to ban the use of chlorpyrifos on food.
EPA urged to stop use of misbranded “Minimum Risk” pesticides and step up enforcement and oversight
Health and environmental organizations are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state pesticide regulators to immediately stop the use and sale of dangerous and misbranded Eco-MIGHT and W.O.W. (Whack Out Weeds!)products, falsely labeled as 25(b) minimum risk. Recent laboratory testing by the state of California found the presence of hazardous pesticides, including glyphosate, bifenthrin, permethrin, cypermethrin, and carbaryl in these products. “From organic farmers to municipal landscapers and home gardeners, consumers employing minimum risk products are working intentionally to avoid the dangers associated with toxic pesticide exposure,” said Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides. “It is critical that EPA and state regulators coordinate to ensure the integrity of the minimum risk program.”
The New York State IPM Program is accepting nominations for the 2021 Excellence in IPM Award
The NYS IPM Program seeks nominations of people working in agricultural IPM (fruit, vegetables, ornamentals, and livestock and field crops) and in community IPM (schools, homes, landscapes, turf, and municipalities). New Yorkers involved in communicating about IPM through the media are also eligible.
The August issue of the IPM Practitioner is now online
The lead article is Mating Disruption for the Navel Orangeworm. Mating disruption can lead to greater profits, fewer insecticides, less pesticide exposure, and fewer impacts on beneficial insects. Other articles include Pesticides and Soil, Forever Chemicals, IPM News, and ESA Conference Notes.
APHIS will test for Ralstonia solanacearum at Plant Inspection Stations
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will begin testing randomly selected imported Pelargonium (geranium) plant material for the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum at Plant Protection and Quarantine’s Plant Inspection Stations located at major ports of entry. The testing will begin on September 27, 2021.
Organic no-till soybean guide now available
New York is a leader in organic crop production, with 1,321 certified organic operations farming over 323,000 acres in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). New Cornell University research informs a rolled cover crop organic no-till soybean production system that can help farmers reduce labor, save fuel and improve soil health.
Study validates US pork industry’s biosecurity measures
A new year-long study to identify U.S. pork industry gaps in biosecurity defenses against foreign animal diseases, funded by the Pork Checkoff and the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), found no major areas have been overlooked in efforts to prevent the introduction of African swine fever (ASF) to the United States.
Getting IN the HABIT of proactive invasive plant management
Want to know which priority invasive species might pose a threat in your area? The Invasive Species Habitat Tool (INHABIT) provides high-resolution habitat suitability maps and summaries of invasion risk for 137 invasive plants in the U.S.
September Issue of the Western IPM Newsletter is out!
Read about Western IPM Center funding sources including Western SARE funds and Western IPM Center grants program, as well as regional priorities.
USDA-NIFA is searching for peer reviewers for their review panels
NIFA and your community request your assistance in identifying panelists and ensuring our peer review panels have the required expertise while remaining inclusive, representative, and diverse. You can find the volunteer questionnaire here.
Research:
Identifying marine invasion hotspots using stacked species distribution models
Here the researchers identify present-day and future hotspots of invasion risk for marine invertebrates and algae in nearshore habitats of the northwest Atlantic and northeast Pacific using more than 12 years of monitoring data in conjunction with other occurrence data and stacked species distribution models.
Predictions of habitat suitability for invasive plant species can guide risk assessments at regional and national scales and inform early detection and rapid-response strategies at local scales. We present a general approach to invasive species modeling and mapping that meets objectives at multiple scales.
History of the Asian Lymantria species Program: A Unique Pathway Risk Mitigation Strategy
This Journal of IPM paper is filled with details about how this program all came together, as well as how monitoring is conducted in ports and forests. It’s a testament to the forest health and invasive species professionals in all parts of the world in that they can come together to implement programs to benefit countries a world apart. And, since the likelihood of new invasive species never reaching our country again is basically zero, this program provides a great blueprint in how multiple countries can work together to solve a massive problem. Article here.
In a new review article, Vaughn Walton, Ph.D., of Oregon State University and a multi-university team of experts have created a comprehensive look at how SWD management strategies are evolving to address these challenges. Walton and colleagues provide a detailed, in-depth analysis of the current state of control of SWD and the most promising future directions in the species’ integrated management. They detail ways SWD can be eliminated, ways its reproduction can be disrupted, and ways it can be repelled from fruits. Article here.
Webinars, Conferences, Meetings and more:
UMass Extension Invasive Insect Certification Program, Sept 28-Oct 27, virtual
This six-day webinar series looks at the characteristics, impacts and costs of invasive insects, highlighting the biology, ecology, and identification of some of the most destructive insects. Also covered will be state and federal regulations pertaining to invasive insect management, invasive forest and agricultural insects in Massachusetts, warnings about potential newcomers, and management strategies. Integrated Pest Management will be the focus, highlighting cultural and mechanical management options along with the use of biological control.
Update on Spotted Lanternfly in NJ, Sept 28, 6:30pm ET
Join Dr. George Hamilton from Rutgers University as well as Emelie Swackhamer and Amy K. Korman, Ph.D from Penn State Extension to discuss the Spotted Lanternfly and how we can best manage the infestation by this invasive nuisance insect. We will discuss host plant species, SLF lifecycle and recommended control methods with Penn State educators who have been on the frontline of the infestation.
Emergency Response to Spotted Lanternfly, Oct 6 10am ET
Spotted lanternfly is wreaking havoc downstate and is expected to take a foothold in our region as soon as this season. Learn what SLF is, what this means to our communities, and how we can build a response plan for its imminent arrival. This program is for municipal leaders, planners, educators, and community advocates.
Northeastern IPM Center Partnership Grants informational webinar, Oct 6, 11am
Learn details of the Partnership Grant application process and have any questions you might have answered in this on-line informational session.
Funding Opportunities:
Multistate Urban Extension Grants
The Association of Northeastern Extension Directors (NEED) announces an opportunity to assist interstate collaborations that support, advance or promote a variety of Extension initiatives that directly target or build capacity for programs that reach urban audiences. The submission deadline is December 1, 2021. Proposals must involve participation by Extension personnel from a minimum of two states in the Northeast Region. Submissions are due December 1, 2021.
USDA-AFRI Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases
The program's focus is on both the discovery, as well as on building and testing models that elucidate these principles and processes. Research proposals should focus on understanding the determinants of transmission of diseases to humans, non-human animals, or plants; the spread of pathogens by environmental factors, vectors or abiotic agents; the population dynamics and genetics of reservoir species or alternate hosts; or the cultural, social, behavioral, and economic dimensions of disease transmission. Submissions due Nov 24, 2021.
Focus on NE SARE Farmer Grants
Northeast SARE is inviting farmers and growers to submit proposals to the Farmer Grant Program. Proposals are due online by 5 p.m. on Nov. 16 for projects starting next spring. Funded projects, which are now capped at $30,000, will be announced in late Feb. 2022. Proposals due Nov 16.