Polk Small Farms: Agricultural Updates and Resources

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N;LANGUAGE=en-us:Olmstead;Mercy
FN:Mercy Olmstead
ORG:SENIOR VP-AG / NAT RESOURCES
TITLE:Assistant Professor
TEL;WORK;VOICE:(352) 273-4772
ADR;WORK;PREF;ENCODING=QUOTED-PRINTABLE:;;UF-IFAS, Horticultural Sciences=0D=0A=
PO BOX 110690
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PO BOX 110690
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URL;WORK:http://hos.ufl.edu/extension/stonefruit
EMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:mercy1@ufl.edu
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Just a reminder - The public comment period on proposed changes to the WPS rules is available until June 17, 2014.

Worker Protection Standard (WPS) originally became effective in 1992. It re-quires crop farms, nurseries, greenhouses and forestry operations that produce agricultural plants to provide various pesticide safety related training and protections to workers and pesticide handlers. Though most operations are already familiar with current WPS requirements, the EPA is proposing some changes.

During the April 3rd meeting broadcast throughout the state, the EPA revealed the proposed changes could result in a 50% to 60% reduction in pesticide exposure incidents to workers and pesticide handlers.

They also estimate that costs will be offset by benefits. Estimated implementation cost for large farms, defined as those with annual sales of $750,000 or more, is $340 - $400 annually. Estimated cost for small farms is $130 - $150 annually.

The economic analysis of the proposed revisions can be found at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0184-0102

To review and comment on the proposed changes, go to the website: http://www.regulations.gov

- Enter EPA-HQ-OPP-211-0184 into the search field and select “search”

- To review the proposed changes, select: Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Revisions: Pesticides

- When ready to comment, select the “Comment Now” button

- Type in your comments.

It is suggested that you write up your comments in software like MS Word and either upload it to the site or cut and paste into the comment box.

These website comments become public record and are therefore available to anyone, so decide if you want to identify yourself, your company, or your contact information.

Comments can also be made for a third party.

- Select the continue button

- Select the submit comment button

Comments can also be submitted by mail or hand delivered to OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mail code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.

Additionally, mail or hand deliver a copy of any comments on the “information collection provisions” to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20503.

NEW EDIS Document-

Minimizing Honey Bee Exposure to Pesticides

J. D. Ellis, J. Klopchin, E. Buss, F. M. Fishel, W. H. Kern, C. Mannion, E. McAvoy, L. S. Osborne, M. Rogers, M. Sanford, H. Smith, P. Stansly, L. Stelinski, and S. Webb

Introduction

Growers and pesticide applicators have a number of alternatives when faced with a pest problem: do nothing or apply some type of cultural, chemical, biological, or physical method to mitigate the damage. The action to be taken should be chosen after weighing the risks and benefits relative to other actions. There are many situations where pest control is necessary and chemical controls must be used. Certain chemistries are known to have negative and long-term impacts on bees, other pollinators, and beneficial arthropods. Others have minimal impacts. The pollinator-protection language that is required to be on pesticide labels will outline how best to minimize these impacts. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) bases the labels they approve for pesticide products on a risk-benefit analysis. It is important to work within the system established so that pesticide applicators can have the appropriate tools to help manage pests while safeguarding pollinators, the environment, and humans. The bottom line is that the label is the law—it must be followed.

Pollinator Importance

The western honey bee (Apis mellifera, Figure 1) is conceivably the most important pollinator in Florida and American agricultural landscapes. The honey bee is credited with approximately 85% of the pollinating activity necessary to supply about one-quarter to one-third of the nation's food supply. Over 50 major crops in the United States and at least 13 in Florida either depend on honey bees for pollination or produce more abundantly when honey bees are plentiful. Rental of honey bee colonies for pollination purposes is a highly demanded service and a viable component of commercial beekeeping and agriculture. Bee colonies are moved extensively across the country for use in multiple crops every year. There are also over 3,000 registered beekeepers in Florida, managing a total of more than 400,000 honey bee colonies and producing between 10–20 million pounds of honey annually.

Pesticide Use in Florida Agriculture

Agriculture in Florida is a multi-billion dollar industry, occupying over nine million acres of the state’s total land. Much of the United States depends on Florida for its winter supply of produce. However, Florida’s favorable environment also supports a multitude of crop pests, and their management is a year-round component in agricultural production. The pests include various insects, mites, fungi, weeds, and other undesirable organisms. Collectively, these pests can cause severe damage, and some also spread diseases that can result in significant crop and financial losses. While integrated pest management (IPM)—a combination of chemical, physical, cultural, and biological pest control—has been systematically implemented in many of Florida’s major cropping systems, Florida farmers must continue to rely heavily upon crop protection materials for high-yielding, cost-effective crop production.

For more information on how to protect pollinators while protecting crops, go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1027

Pesticide Safety Training Videos:

This may be of interest.

The following pesticide safety training videos are currently available in English, at the following links:

1. Triple Rinsing of Crop Protection Containers - Sprayers with Integrated Rinsing System: http://youtu.be/9nk1u53pHiY

2. Manual Triple Rinsing of Crop Protection Containers - Sprayers without rinsing system: http://youtu.be/Xp3m15Rpwpc

3. Manual Triple Rinsing of Crop Protection Containers - Knapsack Sprayer: http://youtu.be/ahLzJXsVI

Don’t forget to register for the UF Stone Fruit Field Day if you would like to come! More information can be found here: http://hos.ufl.edu/extension/stonefruit. I will be closing the registration today at the end of the day.

Take care,

Mercy