Integrated Pest Management News.

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Committee, chaired by Phil Coles of Giorgi Mushroom, works throughout the year on a wide range of issues that help AMI grower members tackle pest problems, look at new technologies and provide education on pest-related matters. Dealing with state and federal agencies, as well as the private sector who manufacture and market pest management tools, is not an easy task. But by pooling resources and expertise, the IPM Committee shows that "AMI does for the individual grower what the grower cannot do for himself."

IPM MANUAL

A group of mushroom growers in Mexico has proposed to provide translation of the Penn State Integrated Pest Management Manual and make this information available to Penn State and AMI.

TOPSIN M SECTION 18

The Section 18 emergency registrations for Topsin M (thiophanate methyl) have been renewed for Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, California and Oregon.

AMI, IR-4 and the manufacturer continue to pursue a full, national Section 3 registration; however, EPA has decided that it will most likely not be able to add any new uses until after the requested developmental neurotoxicity study is conducted, submitted and reviewed. This process could take several years. It is not clear how this may affect renewals of current section 18 uses, although the dietary contribution from use on mushroom spawn and supplement would not be a huge contributor to risk.

OPP TOLERANCE

Last year, Jan Ollinger, AMI's consultant on pesticide issues, developed a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in an effort with IR-4 to establish a minimal tolerance level for ortho-phenol phenols (OPP) in mushrooms. This is a result of finding "inadvertent" OPP residues when mushrooms were included in the USDA Pesticide Data Program (PDP) several years ago. Now residues are showing up in a number of other commodities being tested in PDP and EPA is reviewing options of dealing with all of them collectively.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE REGISTRATION

AMI is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and FMC Corporation for a 24(c) registration, which provides for "special local needs" for hydrogen peroxide. The use would be for irrigating mushrooms to whiten and control bacteria. It would be an approved use for organic production.

Laura Phelps

AMI President

AMI Update is a regular column that covers topics relevant to members.

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RELATED ARTICLE: Keep Informed ...

Updated pesticide information is now available on the new Best Practices for Mushroom Production and Marketing website. To access the website go to AMI's website (www.americanmushroom.org) click on Links and then click on Best Practices for Mushroom Production and Marketing.

All of the latest information for fungicides, disinfectants and insecticides can be found on the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) page of the new site. Information includes active ingredients, registered use patterns, the product material safety data sheets (MSDS) label and a link to the product manufacturer's website.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments please contact Kim at AMI.

RELATED ARTICLE: Cost-Share Funding Available to PA Growers for USDA GAP & GHP Audits

Pennsylvania farmers interested in improving on-farm food safety practices may qualify for reimbursement of the costs of an agricultural or handling practices audit through a program administered by the PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) and funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant program.

The Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices Cost-Sharing Program offers reimbursements for businesses and individuals who successfully complete an initial agricultural or handling audit. Certified USDA and PDA inspectors conduct the audit.

Information about what is required in the USDA GAP and GHP audits can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbgapghp.htm

"With increasing consumer concern over food safety, Pennsylvania farmers must do their part to ensure that proper agricultural and handling practices are used on their farms," said PA Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff. "These audits help farmers target areas of food safety concern so they may be addressed. Reimbursement funds will help defray the cost of the audit, allowing more specialty crop farmers to participate."

Businesses or individuals may receive up to $400 per year to supplement the costs of one successful, initial Good Agricultural Practices or Good Handling Practices audit. Reimbursement will not be given for costs associated with a failed audit or the amount of a successful audit exceeding $400. Participation in the audit program is voluntary.

To qualify for reimbursement, applicants must have successfully completed an approved audit on or between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008. Funds are limited, and applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

For a Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices Cost-Sharing Program application, visit http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us or contact Jared Grissinger at 717/705-9513 or [e-mail]. The deadline for receiving applications for the 2008 cost-share program is Jan. 15, 2009. Completed applications should be mailed to Jared Grissinger, PA Department of Agriculture, 2301 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408.