Paraquat Training Update (Prostko/Culpepper)

We need to clarify a few things about our recent blog regarding new paraquat training requirements.  These training requirements only apply to newly labeled (2019) products.  They do not apply to paraquat products with labels prior to 2019.  With that said, we both strongly agree that it would be awesome for Georgia growers and pesticide applicators to take the lead and be proactive (like we were with dicamba).  Personally after completing this training, we will be changing the way we handle paraquat, protecting ourselves and our employees even more effectively than we did before this user-friendly training.

Paraquat Certified Applicator Training Required Before Applying Paraquat After March 8, 2019. (Culpepper/Prostko).

Below is a new requirement for anyone that applies paraquat (Firestorm, Gramoxone, Helmquat, Parazone, etc.) from this point forward.  Sarah Grayce Culpepper (my daughter) and I took the test this morning.  It was actually fairly interesting, especially to her, and even kept her entertained for the entire training module.....I was very surprised.  We then took the test where she got 14 of the 15 questions correct; I changed the one she had wrong so we would get a 100 which is required to get the certificate for me to be able to apply paraquat.  

All in all, this is an excellent course about stewarding pesticides and continues to support UGA's overall mission. I believe (but not completely sure) that one of the very sad case studies with paraquat poisoning discussed in the training occurred in GA.  

Couple of thoughts:

1.  As a first time user, I did have to create an account with eXtension by clicking on the link in the information below.  It took about 10 minutes to get it set up for me to be able to get to the module.
2. It took 29 minutes for us to take the course.......our internet is rather slow.
3. Sarah Grayce and I took the test together which took 11 minutes.  (if you do not make 100, you have to keep taking test until you get 100 so that would add a little more time).
4. Took 4 minutes to figure out how to print certificate; make sure to print certificate.
5. The issue that many of us (growers/applicators) throughout Georgia either do not have access to the on-line training or do not know to make the technology work is real.  Please consider ways to help; even though we know each of you are way too overwhelmed. 
6. We will add a very brief statement at the end of our UPW trainings and any remaining weed meetings to help share the information.
7. Paraquat is an IMPORTANT part of nearly every single sound management program UGA weed science recommends in agronomic crops.
8. Critical points to remember include: a) paraquat can only be applied by a certified pesticide applicator and b) an EPA-approved paraquat training is required every 3 years. 
9. For complete information about this new required training program please refer to the following web-site:

• https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/paraquat-dichloride-training-certified-applicators

Harmony Extra and FirstShot: What’s the difference? (Prostko)

Had a few questions about using Harmony Extra or FirstShot + Roundup (glyphosate) or Gramoxone (paraquat) in a preplant burndown application for the improved control of wild radish (and a few other weeds).  Grower did not want to use an auxin herbicide (i.e. 2,4-D or dicamba) in his sprayer due to off-target movement and sprayer clean-out concerns.  Although these herbicides contain the same active ingredients, they are not exactly the same product.   Refer to the chart below.  Note the big difference in the peanut rotation restriction.

Herbicide	Use Rate (oz/A)	Active Ingredients		Crop Rotation Restrictions (Days)a
		Thifensulfuron (%)	Tribenuron (%)	Peanut	Cotton	Field Corn	Soybean	Grain Sorghum	Wheat	Any Other
FirstShot 50SG	0.50-0.80	25	25	30b	14	14	7c	14	0	45
Harmony Extra 50SG	0.45-0.90d	33.33	16.67	45	14	14	7	14	0	45

^aIf FirstShot or Harmony Extra is used on light textured soils (such as sands, loamy sands, or sandy loams) or on high pH soils (>7.9), extend planting

times listed in this chart by 7 additional days.

^bAlabama and Georgia only.

^cWhen FirstShot is applied at 0.5 oz/A, the application may be made within 3 days after planting but prior to soybean emergence.

^dMaximum application rate for preplant cotton burndown is 0.75 oz/A.

Troubleshooting (Prostko)

Now that we are about to head into the busy planting season, extension agents will likely be spending more time in the field troubleshooting problems.  As an extension specialist, I am always more than happy to help with any problem. However, it can often be very frustrating for me (and other specialists) to get sent a picture(s) with no more information than "Do you think this is herbicide injury?"  Despite my ever whitening hair, there is still plenty that I do not know and the diagnosis of crop injury is often very complicated.  Thus, before sending me a text or e-mail (I prefer e-mail pics since they are easier to see), try to get as much information as possible about the problem.  For example:

Crop:
Variety/Hybrid:
Planting Date:
Herbicide Application Dates:
Previous Crop and Herbicides Applied (what and when):
Current Fertility Program:
Other Pesticides/Products Applied:

It would also be extremely beneficial for agents to collect soil fertility and nematode samples, since nutrient deficiencies and nematode injury can often resemble herbicide injury.  Often times, the best way to solve a problem is to rule out what it is not.  For the record, many "herbicide injury" problems that I have been involved in over the last 20 years turned out to be nematode or fertility problems.

Here are just a few good web-sites for help in diagnosing field problems:

Herbicide Injury Symptoms on Corn and Soybean (Purdue)
https://www.btny.purdue.edu/Extension/Weeds/HerbInj2/InjuryHerb1.html

Peanut Herbicide Injury Guide (TAMU)
http://publications.tamu.edu/PEANUTS/PUB_peanuts_Peanut%20Herbicide%20Injury%20Symptomology%20Guide.pdf
(Special Note: I co-wrote this publication earlier in my career and since that time, I have proven that shoot inhibitor herbicides (Dual Magnum, Warrant , Zidua) do not cause peanut  J-rooting (page 5).

Herbicide Injury Data Base (University of Arkansas)
https://plants.uaex.edu/herbicide/

Herbicide Damage to Cotton (TAMU)
http://cotton.tamu.edu/Photos/herbicide_injury/index.html

Nutrient Deficiencies and Application Injuries in Field Crops (Iowa State)
https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/files/article/nutrientdeficiency.pdf

Lastly, please remember that I have always and will always answer any phone call, text, or e-mail I receive from extension agents in a timely matter! 

Vegetable Weed Management Circulars are Available! (Culpepper and Vance)

The following weed control circulars are ready: 1) Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower; 2) Yellow and Zucchini Squash, 3) Watermelon, 4) Methyl Bromide Alternatives, and 5) Sweet Potato.

For those not familiar with our circulars, they are each two pages with a programs approach for managing weeds while mitigating herbicide or fumigant injury.

If you would like a copy prior to them being uploaded on our web site (www.gaweed.com) in March of 2019, do the following:

E-mail Jenna Vance at jcsmith3@uga.edu and ask for one of the following options:

Option 1: Request laminated circulars to be mailed to you. Provide the number of circulars for each crop that you would like and provide and address to send them.

Option 2: Request a pdf version.  An e-mail response will provide the PDF as an attachment.

Using Pesticides Wisely (UPW) Pesticide Credit Hours and Neighboring State Training Programs (Stanley Culpepper - UGA and Tommy Gray - GDA).

Agents, several of you have been asking questions regarding the UPW trainings so we thought it would be best to share with everyone.

1.  How many hours of pesticide credit will be offered at the UPW training?   

The answer is 2 for commercial or 2 for private.  Agents do not have to do anything in regards to pesticide credit hours, we have it all covered.

2. If one of my growers/applicators takes the dicamba training in a neighboring state will that cover them for Georgia?  

The answer is NO. Anyone who purchases and applies Engenia, FeXapan, or XtendiMax in Georgia must attend our UPW training; just as importantly, they must actually turn in the registration form for attending the meeting. The fact that other trainings from our neighbors will not meet Georgia’s requirements has nothing to with the quality of their training. Rather, it reflects the complicated nature of trying to get everyone in Georgia trained and then getting the appropriate information documented on GDA’s web-site in a 3 month time frame. 

Xtendimax, Engenia, Fexapan (Culpepper)

Agents you already have information regarding the new auxin herbicide requirements in various ways; however, one of our industry partners asked me to help him with a few points to share with his contacts.  I thought you might benefit so they are provided below. Also, we conducted our first UPW training and training for the 2 year certified applicators license for XtendiMax, Engenia, and FeXapan in Tifton on Wednesday, January 30.  The crowd for BOTH trainings was enormous. The number of people getting a license were at least four times more than I had expected……………….get prepared!

XtendiMax, Engenia, and FeXapan

New Regulations for 2019

1) A pesticide license is required to purchase or apply these products.

2) All applicators must be trained through UGA's Using Pesticides Wisely (UPW).

3) Can only apply through 60 days after planting cotton or 45 days after planting soybeans.  

4) Can only make up to 2 POST applications in cotton and soybeans.

5) Can only apply between 1 hour after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset (wind still has to be between 3 and 10 mph). 

6) Updated record keeping within 72 hours and add planting date.

7) Labels suggest to test for spray solution pH and add a buffering agent if solution pH is less than 5. 

8) Do not apply when wind is blowing in direction of sensitive crops and/or residential areas. 

9) If there are no sensitive crops or residential areas downwind, then downwind buffers remain. 110 ft but there is a new 57 ft omni-directional (all sides) buffer required in certain counties where endangered terrestrial dicot plants grow (visit www.epa.gov/espp/ to understand if you have endangered species near you. 

10) Do not apply if expected rainfall within 24 hours of application could exceed soil field capacity.

Enlist One and Enlist Duo

1) All persons in charge of application must be trained.