|

LINKS

AZ
Meteorological Network
LAWS-STATUTES

Art. 3 Chap. 10
Art. 1 3-1081
through 3-1090

Non-Bt Cotton Acreage
Registration Form requirements

State
Constitution
ONLINE
FORMS




PHEROMONE APPLICATORS


 

PBW ID ppt
PRESENTATIONS
Dr.
Robert Staten, USDA & Larry Antilla, US / Mexico ACRPC PBW Program
at the Az. Cotton Growers Board meeting |
PINK BOLLWORM
ERADICATION PROGRAM
POPULATION MONITORING
Starting in
1991, the Arizona Cotton Research & Protection Council (ACRPC)
annually conducts a statewide trapping survey to monitor the level
of overwintering emergence of the pink bollworm,
Pectinophora
gossypiella. Pheromone
baited delta sticky traps are deployed
on approximately 10% of all
cotton fields in Arizona, which are randomly selected by computer
from the program’s MapInfo files. Traps are set at the accumulation
of 500
heat units (from January 1) and
are inspected weekly throughout the pink bollworm emergence cycle
(approximately 2,250 heat units). This activity is designed to
provide general baseline data on the survival levels of pink
bollworm populations in localized agricultural areas through out the
state. The data collected has proven to provide a historical
perspective relative to trends in pink bollworm population
dynamics.
Pictured above: Pink Bollworm
(Pectinophora gossypiella)
Larvae in Cotton Boll.
INTRODUCTION
Over the past 30 years, PBW has been the most serious cotton pest in
Arizona, California and northwestern Mexico. In Arizona and southern
California alone, more than 72 million acre equivalents of harsh
pesticides have been applied at an estimated cost of $1.3 billion.
Since its introduction into Arizona in 1996, Bt cotton has
dramatically reduced pink bollworm populations. Technology fees,
however, have cost Arizona growers more than $38 million, with the
potential for future costs to exceed $4 million per year if utilized
extensively throughout the region. Chemical control costs, should Bt
develop resistance, would be even higher. Eradication is possible
now, primarily due to Bt cotton, the most powerful control tool ever
known, coupled with the additional complimentary control of sterile
pink bollworm moths, pheromones, and extremely limited use of
chemical pesticides.
EXPANSION OF AN
EXISTING PROGRAM
Pink bollworm infested areas in west Texas, central/western New
Mexico and the Mexican state of Chihuahua have, from 2001 to the
present, progressively implemented area-wide eradication activities,
leading to an 85-90% reduction in PBW populations in all areas.
PROGRAM
SCOPE/TIMELINE/AND DURATION
Implementation of Arizona PBW eradication plan targets specific
areas on a progressive basis. Area One (central and eastern Arizona)
began in 2006; Area Two (LaPaz and Mohave counties) started in 2007,
and Area Three (Yuma county) began in 2008. Arizona operational
areas are scheduled to coincide with corresponding activities in
Mexico and California. Program duration for each area would be four
(4) years.
TECHNOLOGIES UTILIZED
TO ACHIEVE ERADICATION
Bt cotton, pheromones,
sterile PBW moth releases,
limited use of chemical insecticides and intensive monitoring. All
non-Bt cotton will receive season long PBW control using pheromone
rope or sprayable pheromones applied early season. Late season
applications of sprayable pheromone plus chemicals where needed may
also be employed if necessary. Sterile pink bollworm moth releases
will be conducted over all cotton to lower populations in non-Bt
cotton, and prevent resistance from developing in Bt cotton. GPS
mapping of all fields, pheromone trapping, and field inspections
will provide monitoring data initiating control strategies.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
The Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council, composed of nine
growers, shall have the responsibility for managing the Arizona
Master Plan in consultation with the Arizona Pink Bollworm
Eradication Committee, a special committee of the Arizona Cotton
Growers Association. In addition, the plan envisions the opportunity
for representatives from local grower groups to work with program
managers and the Council on issues of implementation in each area.
The program is to be governed by growers, with overall technical
support provided by USDA/APHIS.
ELEMENTS NECESSARY FOR
PROGRAM SUCCESS
1. Maximum use of Bt cotton is recommended. Although growers are
free to plant any variety they choose, higher levels of
Bt
accelerate program effectiveness.
2. All growers in the area approved by referendum MUST participate
in program (see Technologies section)
3. Full participation by Mexico
4. Adequate federal funding to cover costs of sterile moth component
of program.
INFIELD REFUGE IN Bt
PLANTINGS
Current strategies utilizing single or multiple non-Bt refuge rows
across a Bt field will not be a feasible alternative in the early
stages of PBW eradication.
PROGRAM FUNDING
1. Producer Funding:
a. Bt growers will pay transgenic tech fees for all Bt acres
planted on their farms, which will be considered their
contribution to the program.
b. Non-Bt growers will pay an
assessment to the ACRPC of up to $32.00 per acre of
non-Bt cotton grown each year to
cover
the costs of season long PBW control described in the “Technologies”
section listed above.
2.
Current Bale Assessment:
Monitoring and management of the program will be paid through
part of the existing bale assessment collected at the
gins. It
is expected that the cost of these activities would fall in the
range of $3-5 per acre. This translates to an additional
$1.25 per
bale for areas included in the active eradication program.
3. Federal Funding:
Sterile
moth technology will be paid for by a direct appropriation of up to
$6 million per year through USDA/APHIS.
POST ERADICATION
MONITORING
Monitoring and
limited sterile moth release activities are expected to cost
approximately $5.00 per acre per year until no native populations of
pink bollworm capable of re-infesting the eradicated areas remain in
Mexico or the United States. These costs will be borne by the
growers through either the bale assessment or a direct acreage
assessment.
This program is a model partnership between government and industry.
It utilizes environmentally benign technologies to eradicate a
critical cotton pest, thereby eliminating the need for harsh
pesticides. Resulting benefits of PBW eradication also include
enhancements in conservation and air quality through reduced soil
tillage requirements. As such, the program has no down side; only
positive results for all participating partners.
This page was modified January 2008 |