MSU Extension Ag Alerts

Montana private applicators in PAT district 1 need 6 private applicator credits prior to the January 1^st, 2019 deadline to avoid losing their private applicator pesticide certification. This includes private applicators in Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli counties.  The Montana State University Pesticide Education Program (PEP) would like to announce multiple last chance private applicator credit opportunities for applicators in need of credits within or near PAT district 1. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its final decision regarding proposed mitigation measures for the herbicide active ingredient paraquat (i.e. dichloride salt of paraquat, ortho paraquat CL, paraquat dichloride) due to increased human health concerns.  Inidividuals applying paraquat products in 2019 should be aware of the new measures to protect applicators and the public.

See attached document for details.

Register now for the 2019 CROP AND PEST MANAGEMENT SCHOOL, which will be held on Monday, January 14th through Wednesday, January 16th at Montana State University in Bozeman. PLEASE NOTE that the meeting is being held almost two weeks later than usual this year.

To view the meeting itinerary and to register, visit http://plantsciences.montana.edu/labs.html . You can either register online or print a mail-in form and pay via check.

The sole emphasis of this year's school will be small grains crops. This annual workshop has been offered for more than 15 years and offers a diverse and high-quality panel of speakers that includes industry, government, and academic specialists, providing current and relevant educational information on crop management. Pesticide applicator and crop consulting credits are still to be determined, but should be similar to previous years.

Questions? Contact Kevin Wanner, kwanner@montana.edu

Fatalities spurred EPA and product registrants to implement new phosphine fumigant restrictions since 2010. Though reduced, ongoing fatalities have occurred, including one Utah adult in 2018, and four children in Texas, 2017. The Montana State University Pesticide Education Program is offering multiple trainings in Montana to assist applicators in effectively managing pests with phosphine fumigants, while using them in a safe manner.