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Plant Health Protection Update  |  July 17, 2018
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Free App for DriftWatch/BeeCheck Registries

The new FieldCheck app allows pesticide applicators of any kind to locate specialty crop and beehive locations easily from their mobile device or tablet. With increased functionality and ease-of-use, larger icons and the ability to choose your desired search location through GPS or a specific address, the new app will bring the existing FieldWatch platforms to you even faster and easier than before. DriftWatch Specialty Crop Site and BeeCheck Apiary Registry data will be more accessible to you on the go – all you do is click on the pins to see the detailed contact and location information you need! The new app is FREE to all users but you must sign in as an existing FieldWatch registered applicator or set up a new applicator account to get started. Sign up today at FieldWatch for Applicators.

No smartphone? You can still register at the link above and select your area of interest by choosing individual counties or drawing an area on the map. Doing this is also FREE, and email alerts will be sent to you when new specialty crops or beehives are added to the map in the area selected.

Atrazine Reductions in Shell Creek


High concentrations of atrazine and E. coli bacteria, severe streambank erosion, and frequent damaging floods motivated local landowners to form the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group in 1999 to coordinate efforts to address these problems. With over a decade of implementing best management practices (2005-2015) by approximately 240 landowners, the frequency and severity of flooding declined, aquatic life in the stream improved and atrazine concentrations declined enough to delist Shell Creek as impaired in 2018. The practices included terracing, sediment basins, no-till farming, filter and buffer strips, and cover crops. NDA commends this cooperative effort to reduce the amount of pesticides reaching our valuable water resources!

Invasive Species Update


There have been new findings of invasive species in the state. Recent articles on the emerald ash borer (EAB) and zebra mussel can be found on the web. 
 
Given enough time, EAB will kill nearly all unprotected native ash trees over most of North America. If no action is taken to manage EAB, 10% of ash trees are typically killed in the first 4 years after EAB is discovered; about 70% of ash trees are typically killed in the next 4 years and 80% in 8 years. A zebra mussel infestation could create substantial costs for the maintenance of industrial, hydropower, irrigation and water supply systems. In addition, recreational fishing can be disrupted through changes in aquatic plant and animal species.
 
Information on how you can help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals can be found by clicking the hyperlinked images below:
Nebraska landowners are reminded that NDA administers the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program, which offers annual rental payments for filter strips and riparian forest buffer strips. This program can also be combined with the USDA Continuous CRP (CCRP) program to take advantage of cost-share for installing the practice, and increase the annual rental rate. The CCRP is accepting applications through August 17, 2018.  See this USDA CCRP Fact Sheet, to learn more about the current CCRP sign-up. There is a link at the end for finding your local USDA Service Center.
Links of Interest

UNL Extension Article: Temperature inversions affect pesticide applications

It’s Mosquito and Tick Season! These websites are full of info on managing residential landscapes to reduce habitat for these pests and reducing the chances of being bitten by them.

Webinar: Developing a Pest Exclusion Program for Cockroaches and Rodents; September 12 2018, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Eastern
NDA Plant Health

Program Links


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