Agricultural spray operators are trained to always be observant, especially at the end of rows with the potential for passing cars. It can be difficult while negotiating a turn to cut off spray manifolds at the precise time to prevent movement of fine spray near the ends of rows. This challenge can be compounded by the speed of oncoming traffic. The operators accomplish this task most of the time without incident.

Signs are placed at the spraying sites so that passing motorists can be reminded to be watchful for a sprayer that may be nearing the end of a row, or for droplets that may not have completely settled. We certainly do not want to spray cars, and we ask passing motorists to assist us in this effort by proceeding slowly and perhaps waiting for unintended residue to settle. Please bear with the farmers and spray operators trying to do a good job while being sensitive to the needs of people passing through our rural areas.

It sometimes does take a number of spray trips through an orchard or vineyard in the course of a season to avoid many plant diseases and insect perils. Pears, in particular, are a very difficult crop to produce, owing to a number of potential problems. The pear industry has been extremely proactive over the last 30 years in funding research (primarily with the University of California) to reduce pesticide usage for pest and disease management.

These integrated pest management (IPM) methods have included the development of weather-based disease control models for bacterial and fungal diseases which require exact timing of preventative treatments based on weather conditions. Lake County pear growers were instrumental in developing mating disruption techniques for control of our primary insect pest, the codling moth. This technology has greatly reduced the number of sprays required to protect the crop from destructive worms.

The pear industry is committed to funding ongoing research toward improved cultivation methods and spray reduction in the face of increased concern about the use of pesticides and the spiraling cost of these materials. These efforts have resulted in the California pear industry being awarded a national USEPA Environmental Stewardship Award in the 1990s and in the Lake County pear industry being chosen as recipients of two statewide CDFA Integrated Pest Management Innovator Awards in the 2000’s.

As a result of this work control sprays which remain necessary continue, but at lower levels with decreased frequency. Our new “softer” chemicals are specific to various pests and break down naturally in the environment and more rapidly than many older materials no longer used. They are applied only when indicated after careful monitoring of insect traps and bacteria counts as predicted by weather models.

We continue to fund research to be good stewards of the land, to improve our farming methods, and to work to keep Lake County a place in which we are all pleased to live and work.

Broc Zoller lives in Kelseyville and Toni Scully lives in Finley.

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Written by: Broc Zoller and Toni Scully

Published: 24 January 2010