Extension
It Starts With Us
Chemical Management of Plant Pests
Chemical Management
Susan Fox
Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
Integrated Plant Pest Management
Pesticide Safety – Livestock Pests
Chemical application at its best is simultaneously safe, effective, economical and socially-conscious. Achieving each of these attributes is an ongoing educational process for a variety of groups, including farm managers, farm workers, point-of-sale employees. This process will include educational sessions, hands-on recommendations and site-specific farm visits. In addition, timely and relevant updates on chemicals will be provided with a focus on chemical safety and efficacious use.
Maximize profits for commercial ag producers.
Minimize environmental impact of air, soil or living area.
Reduce drift related complaints and damage.
Reduce the rate of pesticide resistance development in pests, weeds, pathogens.
Improve sustainability of crop production systems.
Reduce crop injury due to pesticide applications (rate, compatibility, application conditions).
Improve sustainability and profits of animal livestock production systems.
Successfully complete PAT and training in worker protection standards.
Use diagnostic service to ID insects, disease and weeds.
Use diagnostic and specialist recommendations.
Evaluate chemical storage, handling and disposal.
Adopt one or more storage, handling or disposal recommendations.
Adopt recommended application techniques.
Calibrate sprayer, select appropriate nozzles and pressure, test spray water.
Record chemical use, frequency, timing, tank mixes.
Demonstrate proper use of sprayers and equipment related to application.
ID active ingredients in chemical products and relate to modes of action.
Read and comprehend directions for applying chemicals.
Observe proper chemical handling, storage and cleanup in home, farm or business.
Chemical selection, mixing, compatibility, adjuvants.
Understanding drift mitigation methods.
ID pesticide-sensitive areas around fields.
Increase understanding of homeowner/gardener pest management tactics.
Awareness of concern due to antibiotic resistance in livestock chemicals.
Farmers attending dicamba and paraquat trainings.
Initial Outcome: Farmers with pesticide licenses.
Indicator: Attendance at trainings.
Method: Pesticide Updates.
Timeline: Winter 220
Initial Outcome: Improved farmer and homeowner understanding of active ingredients, rotation and use of chemicals.
Indicator: Responses to individual discussions.
Method: Newsletter and news articles, Farmers Market LCMGA booth, individual requests for assistance.
Timeline: Throughout the year, 2019-2020
Intermediate Outcome: Improved record keeping
Indicator: Use of record keeping systems, UK pesticide record keeping book.
Method: Hand out books when making farm visits.
Timeline: Spring/Summer 2019
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator Training
Content or Curriculum: State materials
Inputs: Nozzle demonstration, weed ID, farmer survey on chemical storage
Date: Winter 2020
Audience: Homeowner/Gardeners
Project or Activity: Farmers' Market Display, Butterfly/Pollinator Garden, Native Plant Sale
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener, home vegetable and fruit production, IPM and organic production.
Inputs: Master Gardener's, specialists, regional speakers, native plants, UK publications, farmers' market.
Date: Summer 2019, 2020
Author: Susan Fox
Major Program: Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
Commercial pesticide applicators are required to obtain continuing education credits to maintain their license. A Lyon County Ag Advancement Council member felt that there were not enough opportunities for license holders to obtain credits. A training was presented in Lyon County on February 1, 2019.Speakers included a Bayer representative on pollinator protection, and university of Kentucky extension specialists addressing water quality protection from fertilizers, right-of-way weed control, gr
