Irrigation plays an important role in Michigan agriculture, contributing the rich diversity of crops grown and ensuring that short-term water deficits do not reduce yields and quality of crops produced.
Gypsy moth populations are high: What conifer growers need to know
April 16, 2021
There were extremely high populations of gypsy moth during 2020 and we anticipate elevated populations this year. Scout and treat spruce, fir and Douglas fir for gypsy moths.
Photo 1. Gypsy moth aerial survey performed during 2020 showed up to one million acres were defoliated in 2020. Photo from Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2020 Report.
Gypsy moth populations are expected to be very high again this year. According to the Department of Natural Resource’s report, “Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2020,” Michigan’s Lower Peninsula had nearly one million acres that were defoliated by gypsy moth. According to a map of gypsy moth defoliation provided in the report, the heaviest defoliation was in Montmorency, Alpena, Oscoda and Alcona counties in eastern Michigan and Manistee, Lake and Newaygo counties in western Michigan (Photo 1). Other Michigan State University Extension educators report
What are my options when renewing my pesticide certification?
Pesticide applicators can now take their certification exam remotely.
According to a recent news release from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), pesticide applicators can now take their certification exams remotely through the Metro Institute. An emergency rule extended pesticide applicator credential whose license expired Dec. 31, 2019, or Dec. 31, 2020, to June 30, 2021. In addition to extending the expiration date, the rule gives applicators six additional months to renew their credential via continuing education courses.
Brian Verhougstraete, MDARD s pesticide section manager, said Between online and in-person exams at Metro Institute s testing centers, there is currently a lot of availability. However, as the June 30 deadline approaches, we expect exam availability to tighten up. We are strongly encouraging applicators to schedule their exams now.
Utility companies offer incentives for energy-efficient lighting
Check with your utility provider to see if there are rebates or incentives to install energy-efficient lighting.
Projects such as high-intensity light-emitting diodes may qualify for incentive and rebate programs from energy suppliers. Photo by Heidi Lindberg, MSU Extension.
Supplemental lighting is most beneficial during November through February in Michigan, when natural light levels are at their lowest. An increasing number of Michigan growers have invested in either high-intensity or low-intensity lighting from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in order to increase photosynthesis and plant growth or to control flowering. LEDs continue to grow in popularity within the greenhouse industry as their efficiency increases and their initial cost decreases. In a January 2020 article, Erik Runkle provided the efficacy of high-intensity LEDs on the market that met the requirements for the “Qualified Product List” set by the
Agricultural professionals in extension services worldwide build new relationships between culturally diverse systems
February 9, 2021
Michigan State University and India’s National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management collaborate on a new book, “Innovations in Agricultural Extension.”
Jeff Dwyer, MSU Director of Extension, speaking with women working in agriculture outside of Hyderabad, India.
One of the key principles of extension services is to encourage people to take action through education. At a jointly organized conference in 2019, International Conference on Agricultural Extension: Innovation to Impact, extension programming staff and leaders from Michigan State University Extension and India’s National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, or MANAGE, proposed the idea to write a collaborative book. In our age of information, extension services everywhere face a shared grand challenge: How to disseminate information and reach the people they s