MSU Extension Ag Alerts

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.

A Section 18 emergency label approves EsplAnade® 200 SC for controlling ventenata and medusahead on rangeland, pasture, and CRP in Montana. Ventenata and medusahead an invasive winter annual grasses that have been increasing in Montana.

The Montana State University Pesticide Education Program is offering the 2018 Pest Management Tour for pesticide applicators across northwestern Montana (PAT District 1), from October 2^nd – 4^th.  Private applicators within PAT district 1 should ensure they have attained 6 private applicator credits prior to the January 1^st, 2019 deadline to avoid losing their private applicator certification. Private applicators may opt to attend only a morning or afternoon session for 3 private applicator credits; or both for 6 credits. Commercial applicator credits are also available and can be viewed on the last page of the 2018 Pest Management Tour agenda.      

The Montana State University Pesticide Education Program is offering a pesticide education train-the-trainer opportunity November 14th and 15th at the Holiday Inn Express (2305 Catron Street), Bozeman, MT. Attendees of this program can attain 4 commercial/government recertification credits in the categories of dealer, ag plant pest, right-of-way, demonstration and research, and regulatory weed pest.  This is a unique opportunity targeting Montana's pesticide trainers.

Pesticide applicators should be aware of the Montana Pesticide Waste Disposal Program and 2018 sites. Delaying removal of unused pesticide products often leads to corroded containers that pose unnecessary risks towards the environmental and human health.  By following a few simple steps applicators can ensure that unused pesticides are discarded and disposed of legally and safely.

EPA is announcing the availability of new training materials covering the expanded pesticide safety training content required by the 2015 Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for training both agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. You may be affected by the 2015 Worker Protection Standard (WPS) if you work or employ individuals working in crop production agriculture where pesticides are applied including: agricultural establishments (i.e. farms, orchards, groves, greenhouses, and nurseries), tree production, timber tract operations and forest nurseries. WPS pesticide safety training of handlers and workers must be conducted using the new EPA-approved materials that have the expanded WPS content by December 19th, 2018.

The NCERA-184 Fungicide table is attached to this agalert and is available on the extension field crops plant path website at http://www.msuextension.org/plantpath/ 

Happy planting,

--Mary Burrows