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Grower Workshops:
Introducing the New and Improved Apple IPM Manual

The Ontario apple IPM team including OMAFRA specialists,University of Guelph and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers have spent the last few months rewriting the OMAFRA publication 310, Apple IPM guide. Highlights of some of the new content in the publication include information on:

• monitoring
• thresholds for new products
• activity of beneficial insects in orchards
• integrated weed management
• soil compaction
• new and emerging pests such as apple leafcurling midge
• using models to time the application of different insecticides for oriental fruit moth and codling moth

The new manual will be available in late March at a cost of $50. The Ontario Apple Growers Association is working on finding funding to support the purchase of a copy of the manual for each of its members (stay tuned to the OAG website for more information). A series of grower workshops across the province will provide growers with an introduction to where to find information in the guide, as well as an update on new IPM strategies in apple. The workshops will also provide information that is complimentary to the guide including tables on the toxicity of various pesticides to beneficial insects, and the efficacy of different insecticides against different pests. Growers will also be introduced to several new technologies that may play a role in the future of apple IPM. Tentative dates for the workshops are as follows:

• April 7 Ruthven, Mastronadi Winery, 1193 Road 3 East, Kingsville
• April 8 Simcoe, OMAFRA office, 1283 Blueline Rd, Simcoe
• April 9 Vineland, OAG office, 1634 South Service Road, St. Catharines.
• April 15 Clarksburg, Marsh Street Community Centre, 187 Marsh Street, Clarksburg, Ontario
• April 16 Colbourne, Keeler Centre 80 Division St., Colborne

Growers are encouraged to bring a copy of the new Apple IPM Guide to the meeting. There may be a cost associated with the meetings. More information on these workshops will be posted in March on the OMAFRA website at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/conferences/index.html. Or growers can contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300. Funding is also being sought for demonstration trials to be conducted in summer 2009, along with summer twilight tours.