MAITC Teacher Professional Development Webinar
Join Regional Specialist Toni Dauwalter for this quick workshop to learn how to access over 400 dynamic lessons on Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom's (MAITC) Curriculum Matrix.
You'll learn how to create a "My Binder" so you can save the lessons you like, and visit the Ag Classroom Store to find out how to get lesson materials all in one place. This workshop is for K-12 teachers.
Learn more about these resources and others in the MAITC Educator Center.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) urges pesticide applicators to take special care while applying dicamba products this growing season. To prevent off-target movement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made substantial changes to the 2021 dicamba labels specifically related to application cutoff date, buffer distances, and record keeping requirements, and the MDA is reminding users that the label is the law.
For the 2021 growing season, applicators may use the three dicamba products, XtendiMax, Engenia, and Tavium, on dicamba tolerant soybeans until June 30. The federal label prohibits applications of these three dicamba products after June 30 to dicamba-tolerant soybeans. Regardless of cutoff date, applications are prohibited after V4 growth stage for Tavium and after R1 stage for XtendiMax. Additionally, the labels require a 240-foot downwind buffer and prohibits applications if the wind is blowing towards an adjacent sensitive crop. Sensitive crops include, but are not limited to, non-dicamba-tolerant soybeans, sugar beets, tomatoes, fruiting vegetables, fruit trees, cucurbits, grapes, beans, flowers, ornamentals, peas, potatoes, sunflower, and other broadleaf plant crops.
Only Certified Applicators can legally purchase and use these formulations of dicamba because they are classified as “Restricted Use Pesticides” (RUP). The label has extensive and detailed requirements for recordkeeping, and the applicator must create these records within 72 hours of the application. The MDA expects all users of these dicamba products to have fully completed records in accordance with the federal label requirements. Enforcement will be taken for any violations of the product label.
The following guidelines and resources can help applicators prevent off-target movement while applying dicamba:
- Do not apply XtendiMax, Engenia, or Tavium on soybeans if you have not attended the auxin/dicamba mandatory training offered by dicamba registrants Bayer, BASF, or Syngenta.
- To help applicators, the MDA has developed a video presentation as part of the mandatory dicamba training. This video is not a substitute for the required training.
- Applicators must consult applicable sensitive crop registries, such as DriftWatch, to identify any commercial specialty or certified organic crops that may be located near the application site. Applicators are also required to survey the site for neighboring non-target sensitive crops BEFORE spraying. Be sure to consult with your neighbors before spraying dicamba products.
- If the wind is blowing in the direction of a sensitive crop DO NOT spray until the wind has changed direction. Spraying is forbidden in these circumstances, even with a buffer.
- DO NOT spray during a temperature inversion; only spray between one hour after sunrise and two hours before sunset.
- Visit the MDA website for frequently asked questions about dicamba.
Finally, remember that avoiding spray drift at the application site is the responsibility of the applicator. The spray system and weather-related factors determine the potential for spray drift. The applicator is responsible for considering these factors when making application decisions to avoid spray drift onto non-target areas.
Background
Since dicamba was first registered for use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans in the 2017 growing season, the MDA has fielded complaints each year of alleged off-site movement onto neighboring property. The annual totals of complaints are:
2020: 124 reports
2019: 22 reports
2018: 53 reports
2017: 253 reports
An application cutoff date has been in effect in the state each growing season since 2018.
Pesticide product registrations are renewed on an annual basis in Minnesota.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is planning to treat an area in New Hartford Township, Winona County, to eradicate a gypsy moth infestation detected in the area last fall. Officials plan to conduct the aerial treatment on Saturday, May 22, starting as early as 5:30 a.m. The treatment will take approximately two hours to complete. This is dependent on weather conditions. A Friday, May 21, treatment may be necessary if forecasted rain prevents a Saturday treatment.
This is the first of two aerial applications of Foray/Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) over the approximately 1,140-acre area. The second will take place in 5-14 days. Btk is a biological product that is organic certified for food crops. It has no known health effects for humans, pets, birds, fish, livestock, bees, and other non-caterpillar insects.
To help area citizens stay informed, the MDA has set up an Arrest the Pest Info Line at 1-888-545-MOTH with the latest details about treatment dates and times. On the morning of the treatments, residents can call the phone number with any questions they may have. Simply press 0 (zero) to speak to someone. The MDA's website (www.mda.state.mn.us/gmtreatments) also has information about gypsy moths and control efforts. Residents can sign up for updates about treatment progress by texting “MDA WINONA” to 468311 to receive text notifications or texting “MDA WINONA [your email address here]” to 468311 to receive email notifications.
The MDA offers the following tips to residents in the treatment area:
- For the gypsy moth treatment to work, it must begin early in the morning. Treatments may begin as early as 5:30 a.m. Residents in and around the treatment area, up to a half mile outside of the treatment area, may be awakened on that day by the noise of a low-flying airplane. The MDA apologizes for any inconvenience.
- The treatment product has no known health effects for humans, but residents may wish to stay indoors during the treatment and keep windows closed for a half hour after application. Residents can cover gardens or turn on sprinklers during the treatment if they wish.
- The residue does not cause damage to outdoor surfaces. However, soapy water will remove any residue on outdoor items.
Treatment area: The treatment area is approximately 1,140 acres in New Hartford Township, Winona County. County Highway 16 and Pea Ridge Road run through the treatment area (Also referred to as the Pea Ridge Block – SEE MAP).
Gypsy moths are among America's most destructive tree pests, having caused millions of dollars in damage to Eastern forests. The moths are now threatening Minnesota. If present in large numbers, gypsy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. Oak, poplar, birch and willow are among their preferred hosts. The moths spread slowly on their own, but people can unintentionally help them spread by transporting firewood or other items on which the moths have laid their eggs.
Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 1-888-545-6684 or Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us with questions regarding gypsy moth and the planned treatment.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum
Find out more about economic opportunities in the agriculture industry, what employers are doing to attract talent, and how state agencies can assist farmers, employers, and workers in the community. Hear stories from Minnesota immigrant and refugee farmers and updates from partner organization who have provided support during this past year. The MDA is excited to participate in this event organized by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
This event will be held using Microsoft Teams. If you can't use the link above, you can join by phone:
Call-in number: 323-849-4874
Conference ID: 739 405 026#
More information is in this attached flyer (PDF)
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is planning a second treatment to eradicate a gypsy moth infestation in part of Minneapolis’s Loring Park Neighborhood. Officials plan to conduct a ground treatment beginning Tuesday, May 25, as early as 5 a.m. and continuing through mid-morning. It may take crews three mornings to complete the work. This schedule is dependent on weather conditions at the time.
The treatment product, Foray/Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), is a biological product that is organic certified for food crops. It has no known health effects for humans, pets, birds, fish, bees, and other non-caterpillar insects.
To help area citizens stay informed, the MDA has set up an Arrest the Pest Info Line at 1-888-545-MOTH with the latest details about treatment dates and times. On the morning of the treatments, residents can call the phone number with any questions they may have. Simply press 0 (zero) to speak to someone. The MDA's website (www.mda.state.mn.us/gmtreatments) also has information about gypsy moths and control efforts. Residents can sign up for updates about treatment progress by texting “MDA MINNEAPOLIS” to 468311 to receive text notifications or texting “MDA MINNEAPOLIS [your email address here]” to 468311 to receive email notifications.
The MDA offers the following tips to residents in the treatment area:
- For the gypsy moth treatment to work, it must begin early in the morning. Treatments may begin as early as 5 a.m. Residents will see tree maintenance crews, and on-street parking may be restricted as crews move around the area.
- The treatment product has no known health effects for humans, but residents may wish to stay indoors during the treatment and keep windows closed for a half hour after application.
- The residue does not cause damage to outdoor surfaces. However, soapy water will remove any residue on windows or other items.
Treatment area: The treatment area is along 14th and 15th streets from Loring Park to Nicollet Ave (SEE MAP).
Gypsy moths are among America's most destructive tree pests, having caused millions of dollars in damage to Eastern forests. The moths are now threatening Minnesota. If present in large numbers, gypsy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. Oak, poplar, birch and willow are among their preferred hosts. The moths spread slowly on their own, but people can unintentionally help them spread by transporting firewood or other items on which the moths have laid their eggs.
Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 1-888-545-6684 or Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us with questions regarding gypsy moth and the planned treatments.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is planning a second treatment to eradicate a gypsy moth infestation in New Hartford Township, Winona County. Officials plan to conduct the aerial treatment on Wednesday, May 26, as early as 5:15 a.m. This schedule is dependent on weather conditions at the time.
The MDA uses a low-flying airplane which will be traveling up to a half mile outside the approximately 1,140-acre treatment area as it navigates through the gypsy moth infestation site. The MDA apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the noise of the plane.
The treatment product, Foray/Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), is a biological product that is certified organic for food crops. It has no known health effects for humans, pets, birds, fish, livestock, bees, and other non-caterpillar insects. However, residents can avoid it by staying indoors during the treatment and keeping windows closed until a half hour after application. Residents can cover gardens or turn on sprinklers during the treatment if they wish. Any residue, which does not cause damage to outdoor items, can be removed with soapy water.
The MDA has set up an Arrest the Pest Info Line at 1-888-545-MOTH with the latest details about treatment date and time. On the morning of the treatment, residents can call the phone number with any questions they may have. Simply press 0 (zero) to speak to someone. The MDA's website (www.mda.state.mn.us/gmtreatments) also has information about gypsy moths and control efforts. Residents can sign up for updates about treatment progress by texting “MDA WINONA” to 468311 to receive text notifications or texting “MDA WINONA [your email address here]” to 468311 to receive email notifications.
Treatment area: The treatment area is approximately 1,140 acres in New Hartford Township, Winona County. County Highway 16 and Pea Ridge Road runs through the treatment area (Also referred to as the Pea Ridge Block – SEE MAP).
Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 1-888-545-6684 or Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us with questions regarding gypsy moth and the planned treatment.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has positively identified the invasive weed Palmer amaranth in Polk County. The confirmation came after the MDA inspected a field being used for the disposal of agricultural screenings.
The MDA collected a sample of the screenings material and determined by genetic testing that it was contaminated with Palmer amaranth seed. The field was scouted, and MDA staff found several dead Palmer amaranth plants on the field’s edge remaining from last year, suggesting the plants had grown and matured.
The landowner is working with the department to eradicate any of the weeds moving forward. At this time, the MDA believes the issue is isolated to only one field. The field and the surrounding area will be a priority for MDA field scouting this summer.
Since it was first discovered in the state in 2016, Palmer amaranth has been found in ten Minnesota counties, including Polk County. However, most of the sites have been successfully eradicated and the remaining are being closely monitored. Details of previous finds can be found on the MDA website.
Palmer amaranth is listed as a noxious weed in Minnesota. All above and below ground parts of the plant must be destroyed, and it cannot be moved. The weed is also listed as a prohibited weed seed in the state. This means no Palmer amaranth is allowed in any seed offered for sale in Minnesota.
Left uncontrolled, a single female Palmer amaranth plant typically produces 100,000 to 500,000 seeds. It is resistant to multiple herbicides, can cause substantial yield losses, and greatly increase weed management costs in soybeans and corn.
Find photos and more information on Palmer amaranth at www.mda.state.mn.us/palmeramaranth.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
Customers who have stepped-up to “buy local” over the last year can include plants grown right here in Minnesota.
Now is the best time to shop local nurseries and garden centers, and consumers have a convenient way to connect with over 100 of them around the state, through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown Directory.
Jay Holasek, grower and vice president of Holasek Flower Power Garden Center, notes the benefits of working with local growers.
“Here at Holasek Flower Power garden center, we grow almost all our plants right here in Lester Prairie Minnesota. By growing our plants on-site, we control the quality from start to finish. We have great confidence in the quality of the plants we sell to our customers. This is something that you will not find at the big box chains who are not directly involved in the growing process of the plants they buy in and then re-sell.”
Minnesota nurseries and garden centers experienced an increase in business during the spring of 2020, and they hope to continue the momentum into the 2021 season. Along with enjoying quality garden products, shopping a local nursery is an excellent way to support and get to know the grower behind your favorite plants.
Holasek also remarked on the economic benefit of supporting local growers.
“By shopping local, you not only support small business, but you can feel good knowing that the plants you are buying were grown and cared for by growers right here in Minnesota,” he said. “This helps to continue building a great industry in our beautiful state.”
Consumers can quickly find their local nursery by visiting www.minnesotagrown.com.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us