Orchard Field Day & Gypsy Moth Trapping

Orchard Field Day & Gypsy Moth Trapping

Orchard Field Day & Gypsy Moth Trapping

I’m Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

WSU’s fifth annual Sunrise Research Orchard Field Day will be southeast of Rock Island on August 7. Jay Brunner, WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center director, says this year’s field day will have some extra special events.

BRUNNER: One of the things we’re going to do is introduce Stefano Musacchi, who’s the endowed chair in pomology. He actually starts work on August 1, so it will be good to get people just to meet him and he’ll get a chance to talk about what he’s going to do.

Brunner says Musacchi will be explaining different rootstocks and planting architectures being tested with the new WA 38 apple variety at Sunrise Orchard, while Kate Evans, WSU apple breeder at the center, will provide an update on the WA 38 apple and the breeding program.

BRUNNER: There’s actually a couple of workshops prior to the field day. From 4 to 5 Tim Smith is having a weed control tour, and that’s out at Sunrise as well. And then from 3 to 5 we’re having a workshop for those who are interested in biological control, identification, and monitoring - especially with some of the special lures that have been developed for some of the key natural enemies in orchards.

Subjects also covered at the field day will include fabric coverings for apple protection, mechanical and chemical thinning, and irrigation delivery of pesticides versus air-blast sprayers. The field day concludes with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. sponsored by Wilson Irrigation.

Eradication efforts for gypsy moth in the Tukwila area were completed by the WSDA last week.
Annual trapping is now underway to detect any new gypsy moth populations that may have been introduced into the state. Brightly colored tent shaped cardboard traps are placed in residential neighborhoods, business districts, ports, campsites and in rural areas around the state. Inspectors will check them every two to three weeks during summer and early fall.

 

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Ag Information Network. 

Previous ReportProtecting Northwest Salmon & Wheat Reps To Meet Japanese Customers
Next ReportFresh Retail Buying Mission