Fall 1993 (v5n5)
	Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) for Merced County Almond Growers by Robert L. Bugg, SAREP Almond growers in Merced County are needed for a new project being developed for growers who wish to reduce the use of pesticides and/or fertilizers. The project, known as "Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems" or "BIOS," is being coordinated by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers Foundation (CAFF Foundation) with funding provided by grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pew Charitable Trust. Full participation in the project is limited to 30 farmers, many of whom will be eligible for financial incentives. However, there will also be field days, focus sessions, seminars and workshops open to all interested farmers and agricultural consultants. Many almond growers in Merced County rely on heavy applications of pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers. Ground and surface waters may be at risk due to these practices, and increasing governmental regulation is likely. Several growers and specialists have experiences with BIOS that rely less on agrichemicals and more on ecological cycles and naturally occurring feedback loops. For example, an ongoing comparison of organic and conventional almond orchards by Merced County farm advisor Lonnie Hendricks confirms that cover crops can be an important tool in managing arthropod pests and their natural enemies. BIOS appear to be on the cutting edge of agricultural technology; growers can use this approach to reduce the threat of pollution while maintaining high productivity. Who Qualifies, What is Required? Merced County almond growers who rely primarily on agrichemicals but wish to reduce usage qualify. Twenty to 30 acres per farm will be committed to the program for three years as transitional parcels. The farmer or pest control adviser (PCA) must be willing to monitor insects and to collect and share data on pest and beneficial 2 organisms, cover crops, soil and tree nutrient status, and yields. The target is 20 to a maximum of 30 farms in the project.   Technical Support Farmers and their PCAs will work with a team of experienced BIOS farmers and specialists to develop customized plans for the transitional parcels. A program of pest monitoring will be developed for individual orchards. A newsletter summarizing the results of the monitoring and current field conditions will be sent weekly to participating farmers and PCAs. Farmers and PCAs with experience in bio-control will be available throughout the season to answer questions concerning the transitional process. Monthly problem solving meetings will be held with farmers, PCAs and researchers. On-farm workshops, seminars, and facilitated focus sessions will be held every two months. Topics will include pest and disease identification, cover crop management for beneficial insects, orchard floor management, and bird management. Financial Incentives Subsidies of up to $14 per acre for pest monitoring by pest control advisers will be available from the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, through the Merced County Resource Conservation District. An additional $8 per acre will be available for these purposes through the EPA. Cost-sharing will be available through corporate sponsors for cover crop seed, beneficial insects and mites, and insectary shrubs and trees. Corporate sponsors include Beneficial Insectary (Oak Run), Biotactics, Inc. (Riverside), Bo-Biotrol, Inc. (Merced), Cornflower Farms (Elk Grove), Lohse Mill, Inc. (Artois), Germain Seeds (Fresno), Clyde Robin Seed Company (Hayward), and Ramsey Seed, Inc. (Manteca). On August 10 in Merced, BIOS management concepts were presented to 40 growers and agricultural consultants. At press time, the number of full participant growers was not yet determined. For further information on the BIOS program, contact Thomas Nelson of CAFF at (916) 756-8518. More information on orchard cover crops and the beneficial insects or pests associated with them may be obtained from Robert Bugg, SAREP at (916) 757-3279   [ Back | Search | Feedback ]