May 2021
Hello Growers and Orchard Owners,
We hope this email finds you and your loved ones happy and healthy!
As you know, OKSIR has continued operations throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as an essential service to support agricultural practices and food security. It is our goal to keep both SIR staff and our growers safe during these uncertain times. For information regarding our safety precautions and guidelines surrounding COVID-19, please visit: https://www.oksir.org/the-program/covid-19-pandemic-response/
This year, we will continue with a virtual program-wide mail out, like that in 2020. Due to pandemic restrictions and social distancing measures surrounding a large scale mail-out, a pdf file containing information regarding codling moth management has been provided for you here: 2021 Grower Mail Out Attachment
Information regarding pests, pest management, degree days for your area, and links to the production guide can be found online on BCDAS: https://ca.decisionaid.systems/
BCDAS is a free service for Okanagan apple and cherry growers that also provides real-time model predictions for scab, fire blight, cherry mildew and more. If you need help getting DAS set up for your property, please contact Molly Thurston, P.Ag: mthurston@oksir.org .
The orchard maps that would normally be mailed out by SIR can be found here:
https://www.oksir.org/orchard-information/codling-moth-maps/ .
OKSIR recommended at least one pesticide application in the orchards that are colored red on the maps. A spray could have been recommended if an orchard had a significant amount of codling moth damage the previous season, if a spray threshold was reached, or a neighboring property had a codling moth population of concern.
Codling moth trap checking has begun for the season. You will receive wild codling moth captures by e-mail or the agreed upon method. If you are not receiving wild counts for a property, please contact OKSIR staff. Wild codling moth captures for all orchards in the program area can be found on our website:
https://rdco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=269378bd884f4925b1bc5cd87865409f
The correct product, timing and coverage are the keys to using insecticides to control pests. BCDAS offers a free service to evaluate spray records for insect pests, including the codling moth. This tool can be found online at: https://pesticides.decisionaid.systems/
If you would prefer that we mail you a printed copy of your orchard results and this information, please contact our main office at (250) 469 6187 or sirinfo@oksir.org and we can put your copy in the mail for you.
If you have any concerns about codling moth on your property this season, please contact your area supervisor:
Nicole McCann Coldstream to Salmon Arm (250) 309 4952
Kelly Carmichael Peachland, W Kelowna, Glenmore, Rutland, Lake Country, Ellison (250) 308 7609
Shawn Fennell Kelowna (S & E), Mission, Belgo & Benvoulin (250) 215 1917
Alexis Friesen Okanagan Falls to Summerland (250) 809 9920
Warren Blatz Osoyoos to Keremeos to Oliver (250) 488 0380