Mini Bulk/IBC Container Compliance And Recycling: Best Practices From TPSA Webinar

JANUARY 23, 2013 | 10 AM to 11 AM CT

Increased emphasis on retail stewardship coupled with a new pesticide container rule has made compliance more important than ever. Registration information available at Mini Bulk / IBC Container Compliance page for this January 23 webinar when members of The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance (TPSA) will outline best practices for mini-bulk/IBC container compliance, including how to bring refillable containers into compliance, as well as ways to recycle non-compliant containers. Approved CCA CEUs will be offered.

Advanced Spray Technology Clinic

Iowa State University is offering another advanced spray technology clinic for commercial and private applicators. The clinic, repeating one held in July, will include the On Target Application Academy, an educational opportunity that has been developed by BASF Corporation, application technology specialist Dr. Robert E. Wolf and TeeJet Technologies.

Applicators attending will have hands-on training providing an enhanced understanding of application technology, increased awareness of best application practices and improved ability to train co-workers. Additionally, attendees should come away with information to achieve effective pest control, help mitigate spray drift, and protect crops. Specific topics include nozzle selection and demonstration, sprayer setup, equipment clean out and adjuvant use. The clinic, designed for applicators with some experience, will be held Thursday, September 27 at the Field Extension Education Laboratory in Ames. It is offered in either a morning (9-11:30 a.m.) or an afternoon (1-3:30 p.m.) session with a lunch served for both groups. There is no fee to attend this program; however, training space is limited. Advance registration is required at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/spray. Further details can be found at the website. The training provides an excellent opportunity for applicators to learn and evaluate application strategies.

Pesticide Applicator Testing Changes

Private and commercial pesticide applicator certification exams will be available at the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) campus in Ankeny starting March 28, 2011. Exams will be Web-based. Applicators taking the exam at DMACC will need to have a user name and password prior to going to the test center. More information on getting a user name and password, and additional testing information can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) Website http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/Pesticide/Onlinepesticidetesting.asp. Exams will no longer be administered at the Wallace Building after July 1, 2011.

Gypsy Moth Information

The European gypsy moth has made it into eastern Iowa and management actions are being proposed. This caterpillar has a ravenous appetite for tree leaves, especially oak species. Find out more information on the Gypsy Moth page.

Consultants Now Required for Aerial Applicators

An aerial applicator, applying pesticides to agricultural land, can now only operate in Iowa in cooperation with an �aerial applicator consultant.� This change was effective February 1, 2009. A full description of the amendments can be found in Chapter 45, (pages 13-15), of the Iowa Administrative Code. IDALS has prepared checklists for aerial applicator consultants and for aerial application jobs.

Aerial applicator Consultant Basic Checklist

Aerial Application Job Checklist

New Changes to Iowa Bee Rule and Commercial Pesticide Applicator Record Keeping

Emerald Ash Borer Information

It is confirmed -- Emerald Ash Borer has been found in Iowa! Now that this destructive pest is in the state, you will want to keep current on its distribution and management options. READ MORE

PPE Information Requested

The NIOSH Personal Protective Technology (PPT) Program and the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) want to know about potential barriers to the proper selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by agricultural pesticide applicators and their employers.

PPE Information Request Flier

State Apiarist Named

Andrew Joseph has been named the new apiarist at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Contact #: 515-725-1481

Soybean Aphid Podcasts

Matt O’Neal and Erin Hodgson, assistant professors of entomology, are publishing a podcast once a week about the soybean aphid.  Each is 2-4 minutes and provides a brief snapshot of what they are seeing in the field and insights into aphid management based on their research.  These podcasts can be found on www.soybeanaphid.info as well as at ITunes (search for soybean aphid).

CCA CEUs Now Available

Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will now be offered to pesticide applicators attending the scheduled programs for Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management and Seed Treatment Continuing Instructional Courses.  Interested participants should bring their CCA number to the program.

Seed Quality and Seed Conditioning Workshops

Specialized seed workshops will be held in the months of June, July and August. For more information click here.

New Pesticide Container Recycling

Container Services Network

If you have any questions about the company or would like to be involved in pesticide container recycling you can contact them at: Gary Glickman, Exec. VP phone: 866-225-6629

Integrated Crop Management News

Check out the new Integrated Crop Management News Site for timely crop production news you need to make decisions in your fields.

Soybean Rust

Soybean rust has become established in the continental United States. Iowa has prepared for a potential rust outbreak affecting Iowa growers and developed information specifically for
Iowa soybean producers and agriculture professionals to help identify, confirm and manage the disease. Check the Iowa Soybean Rust Team Web site for this information.

Pesticide Benefits

The Benefits of Pesticides, A Story Worth Telling is a publication produced by Purdue Extension.  By understanding the benefits of pesticides, producers are able to weigh the risks.  This publication is available online by clicking the above title.