Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Food and Farming Systems and the Michigan Blueberry Commission are inviting Hispanic/Latino blueberry growers that had problems in the past controlling spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) to attend a training on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, from 4-8 p.m. at the Trevor Nichols Research Center, 6237 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408.

Even if you have already attended past trainings, this one will provide new information and help you upgrade your integrated pest management (IPM) skills to manage SWD during the upcoming pre-harvest season. This is your best opportunity to be updated and trained to deal with the early arrival of this pest. The workshop is based on using advanced IPM tools to manage SWD. These IPM tools translate directly to the bottom line, savings in pest control, fewer insecticide applications and minimum crops losses due to SWD.

Why is the 2019 training under a systems approach different from other trainings?

This training incorporates new concepts and research advances on controlling and managing SWD under an advanced IPM program, a systems approach to pest management. Under this approach, growers learn to use:

• The SWD biology and behavior to target its most sensitive life stages to optimize their pest management.
• The chemical characteristics of recommended insecticides to understand how the insecticide performs under a variety of weather conditions: when and how to utilize each one of the recommended insecticides.
• Enviroweather’s weather information to select the best insecticides depending on the current and forecasted weather conditions

Finally, there will be a hands-on session to discuss and build your own successful IPM program for SWD control using Enviroweather and MSU Extension resources provided during the classroom sessions. If you have a lap top computer please, bring it with you for the hands-on session.  

There is not cost for attending this meeting. However, to ensure an accurate handouts count, please pre-register by calling Filiberto Villa at 269 830-2309. Online registration will be avaiable soon; continue to check the MSU Extension Fruit & Nuts page for when that is available.

Growers who want to renew their pesticide applicator certification license will earn two RUPs for attending.

Agenda

• 4-4:20 p.m. - Registration
• 4:20-4:30 p.m. - Introduction
• 4:30-5 p.m. - SWD biology and behavior: implications for its management and control.
• 5-5:30 p.m. - SWD impostors
• 5:30-5:40 p.m. - Coffee break
• 5:40-6:20 p.m. - Using Enviroweather for IPM for SWD - Lecture
• 6:20-7:20 p.m. - Insecticides for SWD control: Use and management under different weather conditions
• 7:20-8 p.m. - Enviroweather hands-on: Using current and extended weather forecast to develop a successful IPM for SWD management