2026 Pest Management Spray Schedule – “What’s Your Plan?” Webinar
December 3, 2025 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Zoom
Contact: Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar
This multi-state educational event is designed for grape growers across the Northeast and Great Lakes regions who are preparing for the 2026 growing season. This webinar offers a valuable opportunity to hear the latest recommendations and management strategies from regional experts, making it relevant for both juice and wine grape production systems.
Agenda Information
12:50-1 p.m. Course registration and welcome
Fluctuation of grape berry moth populations in Concord vineyards - Dr. Flor Acevedo, Penn State University
The grape berry moth is typically managed using pesticide applications timed according to a degree-day model. However, despite the current management guidelines, there is substantial damage caused by this insect in high-risk vineyards. This presentation will share results on grape berry moth phenology collected from four vineyards over two growing seasons in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Attendees will learn about the insect's life cycle, how to recognize its damage in the field, and how populations fluctuate throughout the season in relation to temperature.
The Future of Disease Management is (Almost) Now — Dr. Katie Gold, Cornell University
An update on what's new from Cornell Grape Pathology—dsRNA, next-gen biologicals, disease-resistant varieties, phenology-based scheduling, dynamic spray volume ("smart" spraying), and emerging AI decision support—and how to judge these against the unchanged fundamentals of pathogen biology and viticultural practice. Using PM, DM, and black rot examples, attendees will connect pathogen life cycles to product choice and timing, learn where our data says the new tools can help with old problems, and leave with clear questions to ask before adopting new products and approaches.
Fungicide Efficacy 2025: Results from Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew and Black Rot Trials — Dave Combs, Cornell University
An overview of the materials and their effectiveness in the Cornell pathology vineyard field trials in 2025. Fungicides will be evaluated and compared against like modes of action as well as untreated controls and grower standard programs. This program will also suggest materials to use in the future and what pathogens they are most effective against.
Pathology Resistance Update and Upcoming IR4 Projects in Grapes - Dr. Tim Miles, Michigan State University
A presentation with a grape pathology resistance update on downy, powdery and botrytis along with a discussion on the upcoming IR4 projects in grapes and what that means for our industry. The IR4 is a research and registration program that helps grape growers get approval for safe and effective pest management products, including both conventional pesticides and newer biopesticides. The Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4) coordinates research, gathers necessary data, and petitions the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to register products for specific uses on specialty crops like grapes, which would otherwise be too costly for the pesticide industry to pursue on its own.
A Review of Common Issues Impacting Pesticide Use - Megan Luke, Penn State University
This talk will discuss common issues in sprayer set-up, coverage, calibration, and water quality, which may drastically affect the efficacy of your spray program. This will include a recap of issues that I observed in the past two years of sprayer calibration in NY and PA, as well as discussing simple and cost-effective solutions to overcome some common problems.
3:30-4 p.m. Final Assessment and Q&A
This event is hosted by Cornell University and Penn State Extension. Michigan State University Extension is partnering as a co-host to support Michigan participation. Michigan growers are fully welcome to attend and take advantage of the information shared. Michigan growers who attend the full session will be eligible to receive restricted use pesticide (RUP) recertification credits. At the conclusion of the program, all Michigan participants will receive a link to enter their full name and Michigan pesticide applicator license number. Once submitted, the credit will be processed after the event.
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