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