Questions and Answers from the
December 1, 2005 Grower’s Workshop
Agenda for the 2005 Grower Workshop
Presentations Given at the 2005 Workshop:
 Laws & regulations
Update 2005
Field Worker Safety
Website Demonstration 2005
Vertabrate Update 2005
 Vine Mealybug
Sue Ostrom
Pesticide Laws and Regulations Update
The following questions are regarding the new wellhead protection regulations. For further information please see the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s website at: www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/gwp/index.htm
Q. What is the closest distance I can construct a berm to my well?
A. The distance is up to you. There is nothing in the regulations that limits you on this distance.
Q. Can you apply pesticides within 100 ft. of the berm of your well?
A. Yes, you can apply pesticides within 100 ft. of the berm of your well. The 100 ft. restriction from applications is only for wells that are not protected by a berm or uphill from the treatment site, and is only in regard to pre-emergent herbicides listed in 6800 (a) and (b).
The following question deals with the proposed dormant insecticide application regulations.
Q. Can wind speed be less than 3 miles per hour?
A. According to the regulations, the wind speed shall be 3 – 10 mph.
Alex McVicker
What to Expect When We Do a Fieldworker Inspection
Q. Why does the fieldworker inspection treat all the various pesticide products the same (herbicides, fungicides, miticides, etc.) with regard to field worker safety?
A. The Department of Pesticide Regulation defines all products used to control pests in agricultural production as pesticides. Herbicides, fungicides, miticides, nematocides, etc. are all defined broadly as pesticides by the State
Q. A statement was made regarding pesticide labels that mention to "avoid entry into the treated area until the product dries."
A. When the label states you may enter the treated area “When the spray dries”, the product being used is likely not an agricultural use pesticide. This type of wording for re-entry is typical of non-ag use or dual use pesticide labels and does not pertain to employees working in agriculture for commercial production. Ag use labels will have specific instructions with regard to worker safety and farm workers entering a treated field during the REI. Contact your licensed pesticide dealer to ensure the pesticides you are using are for agricultural production.
Cree Morgan
Website Demonstration
Q. How long before we can e-mail pesticide use reports to your office?
A. We are very interested in growers submitting their pesticide use reports electronically and are working to make this happen. Our goal is to have something in place with the next year or two.
Dan Curtin
Vertebrate Update and Managing & Controlling Gophers
Gophers:
Q. If a gopher consumes toxic bait does it die underground?
A. Since gophers spend 95% of their time underground that is also the most likely place that they will die.
Comments:
Of the traps available for Gopher control, it appears that the "Cinch" trap is the most effective. According to several growers that use the "Cinch" trap, one need not bury the metal plate. All that is needed for the trap to be effective is to excavate enough soil around the gopher tunnel to insert the jaw and trigger of the trap for it to work.
Birds of prey will also consume gophers. Because gophers have a habit of foraging aboveground around their mounds they become vulnerable to attack by birds of prey. Birds of prey will not provide control for a gopher problem but can help keep them in check.
Squirrels:
Q. There seems to be a lot of ground squirrels this year. Do you know why?
A. Conditions have been favorable for ground squirrels. Last winter was relatively mild and the wet and prolonged spring created a lot of forage, which favored the squirrel. Another factor that can affect a particular location is if there have been disturbances to the squirrel’s traditional habitat by development, which forces them to seek shelter in a new location.
Turkeys:
Q. How does one receive a Turkey Depredation Permit?
A. Depredation permits are issued through the California Department of Fish and Game. In most cases the Fish and Game Warden responsible for your area will have to do a site visit to determine if a depredation permit is warranted. The Fish and Game Warden will specify how many birds may be taken and the methods that must be used.
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