Author: Erfan Vafaie

IOBC Canada 2017 – Part I

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Biological control in greenhouse IPM systems: Where we’ve been, where we are, and where we need to go?
by Michael Brownbridge

Greenhouse production:

  • Unique production environment
  • Many variables within the production system: crop, pest, production practices, and external environmental factors

Talk is on where Michael believes many of the challenges in biological control are (Canadian/NA perspective)

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2017 Southeastern US Pest Control Guide for Nursery Crops and Landscape Plantings

Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories Growers1 Comment on 2017 Southeastern US Pest Control Guide for Nursery Crops and Landscape Plantings

North Carolina University, in collaboration with specialists from all over Southeastern US, have published a new guide book which can be downloaded for free: Continue reading “2017 Southeastern US Pest Control Guide for Nursery Crops and Landscape Plantings”

Biocontrols Conference (2017) – Advanced Biocontrol Workshop Notes

Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories Growers, Integrated Pest Management, Notes, ProgramsLeave a comment on Biocontrols Conference (2017) – Advanced Biocontrol Workshop Notes

Speakers:

Doug Barrow

Biological Crop Protection Specialist, Biobest USA Inc.

Kelly Vance

Technical Support, Beneficial Insectary

Ronald Valentin

Technical Lead, Bioline AgroSciences

Suzanne Wainwright-Evans

Ornamental Entomologist, Buglady Consulting

Tim Engelkes

R&D Entomology, Koppert Biological Systems Inc.

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Notes from BWI Grower Seminar – 2017

Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories Growers, Notes, Programs

A seminar for greenhouse and nursery growers was recently held in Buda TX (01/24/2017) and Tyler TX (01/25/2017). Summary notes and relevant resources related to the talks can be found below.

Talks:

Plant Protection of Insect and Mite Pests

by Dr. Raymond Cloyd

Minimizing Disease Preventatively: The role of the environment

by Dr. Ann Chase

Best Rotation Programs to Avoid Resistance

by Dr. Raymond Cloyd

Preventative vs Curative Fungicides and Rotations

by Dr. Ann Chase

Laws & Regulations

by Ms. Morgan Scott/Ms. Katherine Newton

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2016 Greenhouse and Nursery Regulatory Compliance Workshop

Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories GNRCW, ProgramsLeave a comment on 2016 Greenhouse and Nursery Regulatory Compliance Workshop

Greenhouse and Nursery Regulatory Compliance Workshop

When?

November 18, 2016

8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Lunch is included.

Where?

Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center,
1710 FM 3053 N, Overton, TX

What?

In addition to running an efficient and profitable business, it is imperative that you comply with Texas Department of Agriculture, Worker Protection Safety, and Occupational Safety and Health regulations. Complying with these regulations help keep yourself, your employees, and the environment safe from potential hazards. Non-compliance can result in some hefty fines, in some cases enough fines to run someone out of business!

Make sure you are aware of current compliance regulations and how to stay on top of them. This workshop will feature a current TDA auditor and an AgriLife employee who works with and trains auditors.

Who?

Speakers

8:00 am Registration check in begins
8:20 am General IPM and New Invasives
Erfan Vafaie
9:20 am Top Performers and the People’s Choice Awards in the Overton Trials plus Texas Superstars 2017
Dr. Brent Pemberton
10:20 am Break
10:35 am New and old pathogens to watch out for: Integrated Disease Management Strategies
Dr. Kevin Ong
11:40 am Lunch
12:20 pm New EPA, WPS, and OSHA regulations
Dr. Mark Matocha
1:30 pm New TDA regulation and what to expect during an audit
Mr. Mark Evans
2:30 pm Q & A

Audience
This workshop is specifically designed for greenhouse ornamental and nursery growers, although some of the material may apply to greenhouse or outdoor vegetable growers, forage growers, and orchards.

Why?

Some of the most influential growers in East Texas considered this to be a great need for the industry and prioritized this program. Some of the growers in East Texas have already faced some large fines and “nightmares”, and would like their fellow industry-people to avoid the same fate.

Registration Fee

$20, which includes:

  • 5 CEUs (pending TDA approval)
  • Lunch

*Bring your applicator license to the meeting to register for CEUs.

Register

Register Now!
Full Agenda

Sponsors

  • Helena Chemical Company
  • KBW Supply
  • OHP
  • BioWorks
  • Syngenta
  • TNLA
  • ICL Fertilizers
  • BASF
  • Bayer
  • Dow
  • NuFarm

Notes from Nursery Greenhouse and Turf Continuing Education Conference – 2016

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Summaries below were based on notes taken from the Nursery Greenhouse and Turf Continuing Education Conference, held in Tyler, TX (June 21, 2016), put on by Helena Chemical Company.

Talks:

Herbicide Fate

by Dr. Brad Shaver

Incorporating Biopesticides into a Conventional Program

by Dr. Debbie Sanders

Overview of Revisions to EPA’s Agricultural Worker Protection Standard

by Mark Evans

Mites & Pest Management on Ornamentals

by Dr. Carlos Bogran

Interpreting Pesticide Labels and Sprayer Calibration

by Dr. Casey Reynolds

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Chris Knight – Ext. Demonstration Tech

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Christopher Knight is a graduate from Texas Tech University with a B.Sc. in Horticulture and Turfgrass Science, where he was a member of the Honor Society for Ornamental Horticulture (Pi Alpha xi).  He previously worked for the Texas Tech University Library and currently works part-time for the Tyler Junior College library, providing him with the skills required to conduct literature research and shush disruptive library pests. Mr. Knight also spent time as a Lawn Specialist for TruGreen, the nations largest lawn company, giving him practical experiencing in landscaping and working with ornamentals.  Mr. Knight enjoys spending his free time hunting and fishing, as well as continuing as a hobbyist horticulturalist.       

 Mr. Knight will be assisting with research on the crapemyrtle bark scale this summer, as well as assisting in projects to test the impact of new pesticides on plant health and insect management.

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Extension Demonstration Tech – Adolfo Nieto

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Adolfo Nieto is a recent graduate from The University of Texas at Tyler with a bachelors in Biology. As an undergraduate, he began his career as a researcher through the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in a project to design non-invasive sampling methods to identify the virology involved in Colony Collapse Disorder of native bumblebees. He has a deep felt passion for conservation and hopes his enthusiasm transcends through his work at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Extension Center in Overton, Texas where he will be involved in several projects targeted at prevention and management of invasive insect species such as the crape myrtle bark scale and conduct work on pollinator attractiveness to different flowers. Adolfo is happy to be part of such a great team and looks forward to facing the challenges and opportunities future research will bring.  

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The Genetically Modified Mosquito

Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories Consumers, GeneralLeave a comment on The Genetically Modified Mosquito

I was recently asked a series of questions on the release of the genetically modified mosquito produced by Oxitec. Snippets of my responses were published in a Forbes Opinion Article entitled “You can help stop these deadly mosquitoes“, written by Kavin Senapathy, who also asks a number of other scientists questions related to the potential release of the Oxitec Mosquito in the Florida Keys .

Here is my email below:

Do the benefits of the pilot release of Oxitec mosquitoes in the Florida Keys outweigh the risks? What are the real risks, and how do they compare with public perception of the risks?

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