KIMBERLY, Idaho—An explosion of weeds sparked by recent downpours across Idaho make this year’s University of Idaho Snake River Pest Management Research Tours in Kimberly and Aberdeen timely for farmers and others, said UI Extension weed scientist Don Morishita.
The Kimberly and Aberdeen Research and Extension Centers will host the tours Tuesday and Wednesday, June 23-24.
“It’s an opportunity for attendees to see some of the newest research taking place for managing various kinds of pests, including insects, diseases, weeds and voles,” said Morishita, superintendent of the Kimberly Research and Extension Center. “In a lot of these instances, they can make side-by-side comparisons of various pest management treatments that we may be testing out in the field.”
Another major issue this year is a rise in cereals diseases, Morishita said. UI Extension plant pathologist Juliet Marshall will talk about current issues facing growers across southern Idaho.
Tours begin at 8:30 a.m. June 23 at the Kimberly Research and Extension Center, 3806 North 3600 East in Kimberly, and 8:30 a.m. June 24 at the Aberdeen Research and Extension Center, 1693 South 2700 West in Aberdeen. Registration begins at 8 a.m. both days.
At Kimberly, the tour will lead off with presentations about various pest management practices suitable forturf, sugarbeets, potatoes, cereals, dry beans, field corn and alfalfa.
The Aberdeen tour will focus mostly on potato growth and management to reflect the industry’s focus there.
Though the rain has caused problems with farmland diseases and weeds, it has done farmers a favor in terms of some insects.
“The rain has held some of them in check, so in that way, the rain has been good,” Morishita said.
Morishita coordinates the tours and collaborates with several other scientists to do the Kimberly tour.
For many years, the research tour focused only on weed management.Since 2009 the tour agenda expanded to cover insects, weeds and disease.
Pesticide applicator recertification credits will be available to participants who attend.
Learn more at www.uidaho.edu.