VASCM: Tailgate Meeting 4/27 in Corralitos on European Grapevine Moth

[Mary Lindsay, Muns Vineyard]

We have scheduled a tailgate meeting to provide information about the 
European Grapevine Moth (EGVM, or Lobesia botrana), what you need to 
look for and how to pro-actively treat for it.

At harvest last year the moth was found in south Santa Clara County. The 
moths are flying now, or will soon depending on climate. Larvae 
generally hatch around May-June (and feed on the flowers). Spraying can 
be done for either the moth or larvae cycle, but should be done soon - 
before any present can attack flowers. The spray regimen is easy - it 
can be added to your existing spray, and organic antidotes are 
available. Efforts to eradicate lobesia in other areas in the state are 
proving successful. We just need to be vigilant and not let it spread in 
the Santa Cruz Mountains.


*VASCM Tailgate Meeting on the EGVM*
Wednesday, April 27, 3:00pm
at Biagini Vineyardsl

Speakers:
- Larry Bettiga, UC Cooperative Extension
- And we are hoping, yet to be confirmed, for a representative from the 
CDFA trapping program

The meeting will cover:
- identification of Lobesia botrana, and its lifecycle
- local trapping results
- spray regimen and options
- harvest protocols - for vineyards and wineries, including transport


A reminder:

Applications for the NRCS EQIP funding to help combat the spread of the 
EGVM are due April 22.  This funding is available to growers in Santa 
Cruz and Santa Clara Counties - areas close to recorded trappings. Note 
that applications will be accepted through April 22. Those in Santa Cruz 
County can contact Rich Casale - his contact info is in the release below.

Regards,
The VASCM Board:
- Mary Lindsay
- Rachel Ormes
- June Salsbury
- Bruce Manildi

Directions to Biagini Vineyard
1624 Chardonnay Ridge Rd., Corralitos
from Freedom Blvd. (coming from Hwy 1), make a left on Hames.
then left on Pleasant Valley Rd.
after about 1/2 mile (not far) make a right on Oak Tree Ln.
then right on Chardonnay Ridge Rd.


    NRCS Funding Available to Farmers Fighting the European Grapevine Moth


    /Applications will be accepted through April 22, 2011/

DAVIS, Calif., April 1, 2011 -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation 
Service (NRCS) in California is offering assistance to California 
farmers to combat the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM). In this second 
year of the program, NRCS is offering Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 
tools to prevent isolated pest finds from becoming a widespread 
infestation.

Eligible farmers are those located within 500 meters of a recorded 
trapping of EGVM. The affected counties include Fresno, Mendocino, 
Merced, Monterey, Napa, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and 
Sonoma.

Treatment will be based on IPM systems for EGVM developed by the 
University of California. Treatment scenarios vary depending on the 
nearby pest incidence and will include pheromone mating disruption 
and/or use of compatible chemicals. Options are available for farms that 
are organic or seeking organic certification.

EGVM was first discovered in Napa County in September, 2009.USDA's 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and California's 
Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), are the federal and state 
agencies respectively charged with protecting the Nation and the State 
from foreign pests such as EGVM.In 2010, APHIS, CDFA and local 
Agricultural Commissioners implemented intense trapping and monitoring, 
and USDA and CDFA implemented parallel federal and state quarantines.

NRCS is providing funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives 
Program (EQIP). Eligible farmers may receive approximately half of the 
costs of the recommended IPM strategies.

"NRCS will offer contracts that may extend for multiple years to address 
eligible growers' treatment needs," says Ed Burton, California State 
Conservationist for NRCS. "Beyond the immediate need of treating for 
EGVM, growers are also invited to consider the robust Year Round IPM 
program developed by the University of California" (see 
www.ipm.ucdavis.edu <http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/>).Additional 
conservation planning for air, water and other natural resources is also 
available upon request.

Under the 2008 Farm Bill, agricultural producers need to meet 
eligibility criteria, including income limits, to participate.

Applications are now being taken at NRCS offices in the affected 
counties http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=CA.Sign ups 
will continue until April 22, 2011.For affected vineyard properties in 
Santa Cruz County contact: Rich Casale at the Capitola NRCS office at 
831-475-167. Sign ups will continue until April 22, 2011.

For more information on UC IPM recommendations for EGVM see 
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/EXOTIC/eurograpevinemoth.html.

Additional information on EGVM is available from APHIS at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/eg_moth/index.shtml 
and from CDFA at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/egvm/index.html.

Here are a few resources about the EGVM:

- UC Davis website at 
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/EXOTIC/eurograpevinemoth.html .

- a list of recommended sprays at 
http://cenapa.ucdavis.edu/news_970/European_Grapevine_Moth_688/?newsitem=25609 
.

- http://cawg.org/images/stories/pdf/egvm_fresno_update.pdf  provides 
some helpful information (keep in mind that the timing recommended here 
applies to Fresno).

Spraying should be done within 500 meters of quarantined zones.