PEP-Talk, January, 2003

PEP-Talk, January, 2003

Pesticide Education Program
Ohio State University Extension
Joanne Kick-Raack, State Coordinator
Cindy Folck, Communications
Vol. 7, Issue 1

In This Issue

Agents Prepared for Private Applicator Training

Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection

West Nile Virus Vaccination for Horses

Comment Period on Endangered Species Protection Program

Toronto Contemplates Pesticide Reduction

EPA Reclassifies 1,3-butadiene as Carcinogen

Private Applicator Regulation Reminders

Commercial New Applicator School

Pesticide Crop Watch

Upcoming Events

Agents Prepared for Private Applicator Training

Over 120 Extension agents, specialists and associates attended the 2003 Pesticide Applicator Training Agent Inservice last week. The two-day event helped prepare agents for private applicator training around the state of Ohio.

Highlights of the inservice included presentations by Extension specialists to prepare for training in horticultural, field crop and livestock situations. A special session included ideas for interactive training for core and field crop categories. Dr. Charles Lynch, a researcher with the University of Iowa, presented information about the National Agriculture Health and Cancer Study which is following farmer pesticide applicators and documenting their exposure to pesticides and other substances involved in agriculture production. The study will follow the health of these farmers and their spouses while documenting their exposure rates, diet, family history and other lifestyle and occupational factors in disease development.

The agents received handouts, videotapes of Extension specialists and a cd-rom of presentations for private pesticide applicator training. There was also information available from the West Nile Virus Working Group and the Ohio Gypsy Moth Program.

Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection

Training for Wood-Destroying Insect Inspectors will be February 27 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg. This training will fulfill the five hour requirement for people trying to become a licensed inspector. Registration information is available by calling the Pesticide Education Program at (614) 292-4070 or by visiting the website.

Last year Ohio law changed, requiring anyone who does termite and other wood-destroying insect inspections for real estate transactions to be licensed. Inspectors must attend a five-hour training session and take an exam before becoming licensed. The inspectors must also have a commercial pesticide applicator license for the termite (10b) category.

West Nile Virus Vaccination for Horses

There is a vaccine available for horses to guard against West Nile Virus. Horse owners need to act soon to protect their horses against this potentially hazardous virus which is transmitted by mosquitoes. The vaccine is available through their local veterinarian.

Initially, horses need to be vaccinated twice, three to six weeks apart. The vaccinations must be completed by April to be effective. At least one yearly booster is recommended after the initial series. Horses that are stressed such as show and race horses should have two boosters annually in April and late July. Horses vaccinated against Eastern, Western and Venezuelan equine encephalitis are not protected against West Nile Virus.

Comment Period on Endangered Species Protection Program

EPA is seeking comments on its Endangered Species Protection Program. The program has been developed by EPA to carry out responsibilities under FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, fungicide and Rodenticide Act) in compliance with Endangered Species Act (ESA). The comment period is until March 3, 2003. This is EPA docket number OPP:2002-0311. You can access the dockets page to see information about the program.

The proposed changes would upgrade county bulletins with maps showing habitats of ESA listed species. The pesticide labels may contain references to the county bulletins. EPA is also planning to enhance the existing ESA monitoring program. (Source: EPA Office of Pesticide Program Update)

Toronto Contemplates Pesticide Reducation

The city government in Toronto is considering restrictions on pesticide applications. The proposed reductions are: 60% reduction for overall use, including golf courses and greenhouses, 90% reduction on residential properties by the landscape and horticultural industries, 90% reduction in applications by homeowners and 100% reduction on the ground of schools, daycare centers, nursing homes and hospitals. This follows a ruling by the Canadian Supreme Court that upheld a law in a suburb of Montreal that forbids the application of cosmetic herbicides. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 31, No. 5)

EPA Reclassifies 1,3-butadiene as Carcinogen

EPA has upgraded 1,3-butadiene from a probable carcinogen to a carcinogen. While it is mainly used in rubber and resin production, butadiene it is also an intermediate in the production of the fungicides captan and captfol. The chemical is tightly regulated under the Clean Air Act. Any changes in regulation from the reclassification have not been determined. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol.31, No. 5)

Private Applicator Regulation Reminders

A private applicator can apply pesticides to land they farm, either owned or rented, for the production of an agriculture commodity. However, private applicators can not apply pesticides for hire. Applicators can trade services, such as with neighbors, but can't be hiring themselves out for custom applications. Custom applying pesticides requires a commercial license, even if restricted-use pesticides are not used. It's helpful to remind applicators of this distinction during winter training before the spraying season begins.

Commercial New Applicator School

A commercial new applicator training session will be held March 4 & 5 at the Fawcett Center on OSU Campus in Columbus. Registration information is available by calling the Pesticide Education Program at (614) 292-4070 or visiting the website. On March 4 the program will focus on core, turf and general pest. The program on March 5 will be core, agronomic, industrial vegetation and ornamentals.

Pesticide Crop Watch

Insecticides

Apollo (clofentezine) - Makhteshim Agan has added to their label the usage on grapes.

Gnatrol (B.t. israelensis) - Valent BioSciences has added to their label the control of mushroom fly larvae in mushroom compost.

Nemacur (fenamiphos) - Bayer has asked EPA to cancel all of its product registration by June 2007.

Fungicides

Acrobat (dimethomorph) - BASF has received EPA registration to use on onions, garlic, other bulb vegetables, cucurbits, hops and lettuce to control phytophthora blight and downy mildew.

Messenger (harpen protein) - Eden BioSceinces has added to their label the usage on tomatoes to enhance uniformity, size and yield

Ridomil Gold (mefenoxam) - Syngenta added to their label the usage on herbs, artichokes, kiwi and papaya.

Scholar (fludioxonil) - Syngenta added to the label the control of brown rot, gray mold, rhizopus rot and giberella rot on stone fruit.

Miscellaneous

As part of a new EPA website overhaul, the Office of Pesticide Programs has updated their website. The new site will include regional information and other EPA website data.

(Sources for Pesticide Crop Watch: Agriculture Chemical News, Vol., 279, EPA Office of Pesticide Program Update)

Upcoming Events

Commercial New Applicator Training
OSU Fawcett Center, Columbus
March 4, 2003 (core, turf, general pest)
March 5, 2003 (core, industrial vegetation, agronomics, ornamentals)

Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Training
February 27, 2003 - Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg

Commercial Recertification Conference
General Conference (turf, ornamental, industrial vegetation, general pest, termite)
February 6, 2003 - Columbus Convention Center

Commercial Recertification Conference
Field Crop Conference (agricultural pest, agronomic weed)
January 29, 2003 - Columbus, OSU Fawcett Center
February 12, 2003 - Lima Holiday Inn

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.

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	PEP-Talk, January, 2003 Pesticide Education Program Ohio State University Extension Joanne Kick-Raack, State Coordinator Cindy Folck, Communications Vol. 7, Issue 1 In This Issue Agents Prepared for Private Applicator Training Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection West Nile Virus Vaccination for Horses Comment Period on Endangered Species Protection Program Toronto Contemplates Pesticide Reduction EPA Reclassifies 1,3-butadiene as Carcinogen Private Applicator Regulation Reminders Commercial New Applicator School Pesticide Crop Watch Upcoming Events Agents Prepared for Private Applicator Training Over 120 Extension agents, specialists and associates attended the 2003 Pesticide Applicator Training Agent Inservice last week. The two-day event helped prepare agents for private applicator training around the state of Ohio. Highlights of the inservice included presentations by Extension specialists to prepare for training in horticultural, field crop and livestock situations. A special session included ideas for interactive training for core and field crop categories. Dr. Charles Lynch, a researcher with the University of Iowa, presented information about the National Agriculture Health and Cancer Study which is following farmer pesticide applicators and documenting their exposure to pesticides and other substances involved in agriculture production. The study will follow the health of these farmers and their spouses while documenting their exposure rates, diet, family history and other lifestyle and occupational factors in disease development. The agents received handouts, videotapes of Extension specialists and a cd-rom of presentations for private pesticide applicator training. There was also information available from the West Nile Virus Working Group and the Ohio Gypsy Moth Program. Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Training for Wood-Destroying Insect Inspectors will be February 27 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg. This training will fulfill the five hour requirement for people trying to become a licensed inspector. Registration information is available by calling the Pesticide Education Program at (614) 292-4070 or by visiting the website. Last year Ohio law changed, requiring anyone who does termite and other wood-destroying insect inspections for real estate transactions to be licensed. Inspectors must attend a five-hour training session and take an exam before becoming licensed. The inspectors must also have a commercial pesticide applicator license for the termite (10b) category. West Nile Virus Vaccination for Horses There is a vaccine available for horses to guard against West Nile Virus. Horse owners need to act soon to protect their horses against this potentially hazardous virus which is transmitted by mosquitoes. The vaccine is available through their local veterinarian. Initially, horses need to be vaccinated twice, three to six weeks apart. The vaccinations must be completed by April to be effective. At least one yearly booster is recommended after the initial series. Horses that are stressed such as show and race horses should have two boosters annually in April and late July. Horses vaccinated against Eastern, Western and Venezuelan equine encephalitis are not protected against West Nile Virus. Comment Period on Endangered Species Protection Program EPA is seeking comments on its Endangered Species Protection Program. The program has been developed by EPA to carry out responsibilities under FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, fungicide and Rodenticide Act) in compliance with Endangered Species Act (ESA). The comment period is until March 3, 2003. This is EPA docket number OPP:2002-0311. You can access the dockets page to see information about the program. The proposed changes would upgrade county bulletins with maps showing habitats of ESA listed species. The pesticide labels may contain references to the county bulletins. EPA is also planning to enhance the existing ESA monitoring program. (Source: EPA Office of Pesticide Program Update) Toronto Contemplates Pesticide Reducation The city government in Toronto is considering restrictions on pesticide applications. The proposed reductions are: 60% reduction for overall use, including golf courses and greenhouses, 90% reduction on residential properties by the landscape and horticultural industries, 90% reduction in applications by homeowners and 100% reduction on the ground of schools, daycare centers, nursing homes and hospitals. This follows a ruling by the Canadian Supreme Court that upheld a law in a suburb of Montreal that forbids the application of cosmetic herbicides. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 31, No. 5) EPA Reclassifies 1,3-butadiene as Carcinogen EPA has upgraded 1,3-butadiene from a probable carcinogen to a carcinogen. While it is mainly used in rubber and resin production, butadiene it is also an intermediate in the production of the fungicides captan and captfol. The chemical is tightly regulated under the Clean Air Act. Any changes in regulation from the reclassification have not been determined. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol.31, No. 5) Private Applicator Regulation Reminders A private applicator can apply pesticides to land they farm, either owned or rented, for the production of an agriculture commodity. However, private applicators can not apply pesticides for hire. Applicators can trade services, such as with neighbors, but can't be hiring themselves out for custom applications. Custom applying pesticides requires a commercial license, even if restricted-use pesticides are not used. It's helpful to remind applicators of this distinction during winter training before the spraying season begins. Commercial New Applicator School A commercial new applicator training session will be held March 4 & 5 at the Fawcett Center on OSU Campus in Columbus. Registration information is available by calling the Pesticide Education Program at (614) 292-4070 or visiting the website. On March 4 the program will focus on core, turf and general pest. The program on March 5 will be core, agronomic, industrial vegetation and ornamentals. Pesticide Crop Watch Insecticides Apollo (clofentezine) - Makhteshim Agan has added to their label the usage on grapes. Gnatrol (B.t. israelensis) - Valent BioSciences has added to their label the control of mushroom fly larvae in mushroom compost. Nemacur (fenamiphos) - Bayer has asked EPA to cancel all of its product registration by June 2007. Fungicides Acrobat (dimethomorph) - BASF has received EPA registration to use on onions, garlic, other bulb vegetables, cucurbits, hops and lettuce to control phytophthora blight and downy mildew. Messenger (harpen protein) - Eden BioSceinces has added to their label the usage on tomatoes to enhance uniformity, size and yield Ridomil Gold (mefenoxam) - Syngenta added to their label the usage on herbs, artichokes, kiwi and papaya. Scholar (fludioxonil) - Syngenta added to the label the control of brown rot, gray mold, rhizopus rot and giberella rot on stone fruit. Miscellaneous As part of a new EPA website overhaul, the Office of Pesticide Programs has updated their website. The new site will include regional information and other EPA website data. (Sources for Pesticide Crop Watch: Agriculture Chemical News, Vol., 279, EPA Office of Pesticide Program Update) Upcoming Events Commercial New Applicator Training OSU Fawcett Center, Columbus March 4, 2003 (core, turf, general pest) March 5, 2003 (core, industrial vegetation, agronomics, ornamentals) Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Training February 27, 2003 - Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg Commercial Recertification Conference General Conference (turf, ornamental, industrial vegetation, general pest, termite) February 6, 2003 - Columbus Convention Center Commercial Recertification Conference Field Crop Conference (agricultural pest, agronomic weed) January 29, 2003 - Columbus, OSU Fawcett Center February 12, 2003 - Lima Holiday Inn All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension. Top of Page Return to Home