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The Sonoma County 2007 Crop Report has been released

posted June 17, 2008

The Latest on Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM)

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Updated May 23, 2008, originally posted April 25, 2008

Announcement of New Sonoma County Wildlife Specialist

We are pleased to announce Jeff Furlong as our new Wildlife Specialist as of May 20, 2008. Jeff grew up and worked on a cattle and sheep ranch in Southern Sonoma County. Over that time, he gained a very good understanding of controlling and managing predators. He is very excited about joining our team, and is looking forward to using his skills to help our agricultural industry and community.

Jeff joins Joe Montoya (USDA Wildlife Specialist) who also serves Sonoma County in protecting livestock and other agricultural property.

Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Jeff!

Posted May 23, 2008

Reporting of Frost Damage to Winegrapes

Please contact our office at (707) 565-2371, or email us to report frost damage to your winegrapes.

We would like you to provide us with the following information:

• Appellation where your grapes are located
• Varieties that had damage
• Estimated number of acres of each variety that were damaged
• Estimated percent loss to each variety
  

Posted May 23, 2008

Section 18 Exemption for Vine Mealybug (VMB) Mating Disruption Pheromone

On April 15, 2008, a Section 18 Emergency Exemption was issued to Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Tulare Counties for the use of CheckMate® VMB Dispenser on grapes. Because this use is allowed by a Section 18 Emergency Exemption, a grower wishing to use this material must obtain a restricted materials permit with CheckMate® VMB listed and have on-hand at the use site a copy of the Section 18 labeling. A Private Applicator’s Certificate, Qualified Applicators License or Qualified Applicators Certificate is required to qualify for a restricted materials permit.

The CheckMate® VMB Dispenser functions by disrupting the mating behavior of the VMB. Over time, the Dispenser releases a synthesized copy of the VMB sex pheromone, which prevents the flying male mealybug from finding a receptive female. The Section 18 labeling shows a dosage of 250 dispensers per acre, with one or two applications per season. The CheckMate® VMB Dispenser is intended for use in an integrated pest management (IPM) program that relies on a combination of control methods to manage this pest.

For more information call our office at (707) 565-2371.

Posted May 23, 2008

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