Ash Borer moving our way
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has the potential to decimate ash in North America.
It has been found as close as southwestern Ohio (Cincinnati area) and it is only a matter of time before it reaches Ky and Tenn. There is an EAB web page at http://pest.ca.uky.edu/EXT /EAB/welcome.html — Dr. Frank Hale, UT Ext. Entomologist
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There will be a Fire Ant meeting at the TSU Nursery Research Center in McMinnville on Thursday, Aug. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. to explain the required treatments for nurseries in the Viola and Irving College areas going under regulation for Fire Ants. USDA representatives that approve fire ant quarantine regulations will be at this meeting.
Hopeful research is being conducted locally to develop more practical and economical treatments for certifying shipment of nursery stock from regulated areas. It is uncertain at this time when research results will allow USDA to modify the current fire ant regulations, but changes could be several years away from being approved.
While of little interest to those out of the regulated areas, I feel I must share the requirements for those that must deal with it, perhaps as early as late August. We must begin to consider how we will deal with the fire ant situation. Most of Warren County could be regulated within 3 years. No one knows.
These are Federal requirements, not state. B&B moving in any direction other than south must be treated in 1 of 3 possible ways. Your nursery inspector is the best source of information. I will share what I think is correct. Containers have other options. Bareroot stock does not have to be treated, but must be rather clean. Ask your inspector.
Dipping or immersion of B&B is the least liked. Plants can be certified immediately upon treatment, but only for a period of 30 days. Inspectors may know who has a good system to visit. I have images of a metal tank and rack that will hold 8-2″ rootballs. Two to three racks would speed the process. Four fl. oz. of Chlorpyrifos 4EC per 100 gallon is the only approved chemical.
The same rate of Chlorpyrifos is used to drench B&B rootballs as they lay in the field, twice a day, for 3 consecutive days (6 total drenches). It is not a good idea to bring the balls into a central loading area for drench treatment. The residue left in the field will assist in killing other ants. The drench treatment also provides only 30 days of certification.
Treatment can be delayed, but dipped or drenched plants must be shipped within 30 days or be re-treated. This will not be an issue for producers that dig a load and ship it. But will be a major problem for those that are required to ship large numbers to their market in a narrow window of time.
These dip or drench treatment alternatives are done after the plants are dug, when everyone is so busy. A new crew may have to be hired just to perform this new dipping task or one individual to perform all the drenching with a vehicle and spray tank.
There is only one pre-harvest treatment alternative for field nursery and it is considered expensive, but it provides an 84-day certification period. All blocks that might be dug from must be treated 30 days before shipments are made.
To begin digging Oct 1: apply an approved bait Aug 27, apply granular Chlorpyrifos (3-5 days later) Sept 1, begin digging Oct 1 for 84 days, re-apply granular Chlorpyrifos Dec 24 to be certified for an additional 84 days. Stop digging March 12 or re-apply granular Chlorpyrifos. Different scenarios can easily be worked out.
Most granular applicators cannot be accurately calibrated. A Herd GT-77 Granular Applicator is specifically named in the Federal regulations as a frequently used bait applicator because it can be accurately calibrated at 1 to 1.5 lb of bait per acre. The Herd can be mounted on an ATV or 3-pt. hitch. The Herd spreader is about $350 + shipping. 866-753-6311 www.herdseeder.com Specify the bait products you will use to receive the correct blocking plates for the spreader.
Bring this information to the Aug 2 meeting. Ask questions. Understand what is expected of you. Be prepared to express your concerns and needs to the USDA representatives at the meeting, because these are the individuals who make the decisions on new treatment regulations.