IPM and CEUs?

Disease threats to nuts. The other A-list. Questioning accepted ideas of integrated pest management. UC IPM is kicking off autumn with three webinars about high-stakes issues of pest management. Sign up to learn something new! Register now and get free continuing education units.

September 20, 2023 (3:00 to 4:00 pm)

Decision Thresholds: The Fatal Attraction at the Heart of IPM

Economic thresholds have been a cornerstone of IPM since the development of the concept of integrated management. The premise for using thresholds is simple: below critical population sizes, pests are not damaging enough to warrant treatment, so over the long term using a threshold to trigger pesticide use will result in fewer pesticide applications, lower costs to the grower, less environmental impact and improved operator safety. Dr. Neil McRoberts will provide a refresher to the basic ideas underlying the use of thresholds and then take a different perspective on the subject that raises some interesting questions about the validity of the generally accepted ideas about what thresholds do. 

One DPR CE unit (other) and one CCA CE unit (IPM) are pending.

October 25, 2023 (3:00 to 4:00 pm)

The Blight Phase of Botryosphaeria Disease of Pistachio and Walnut and its Management

In the last two decades, diseases caused by Botryosphaeria fungi have become a major problem in nut crops (almond, pistachio, and walnut) and other tree crops in California. Significant research has been completed in these serious diseases over a span of 20 years. In this presentation, Dr. Themis Michailides will focus on the blight phase of the disease that results in infection of the fruit and reduction of yields. In addition, historical approaches to managing this disease will be discussed.

One DPR CE unit (other) and one CCA CE unit (IPM) are pending.

November 8, 2023 (3:00 to 4:00 pm)

Branched Broomrape: A Parasitic Weed Threat to the Tomato Industry

Branched broomrape is currently classified in California as an “A” pest, that is, “an organism of known economic importance subject to California State-enforced action involving: eradication, quarantine regulation, containment, rejection, or other holding action”. As a potentially severe economic pest and as a California “A-list” pest, the establishment and spread of a branched broomrape in California tomato production regions could cause severe consequences for individual growers and for the entire tomato industry. In this webinar, Dr. Brad Hanson will provide regulatory and quarantine status and management updates.

One DPR CE unit (other) and one CCA CE unit (IPM) are pending.

To qualify for Continuing Education Units (CEUs), be sure to

• register with your own email address and log in from your own device,
• participate in the entire hourlong session,
• complete and pass a final test with 70% or higher; if not passed, the test can be retaken.

Visit the UC Ag Expert Talk webpage for more information.

Visit the UC IPM YouTube channelto watch recordings of past webinars.