California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: ACP

  • Asian Citrus Psyllids Found in Fresno County

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Plant Pest Diagnostic Center (PPDC) has identified two Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) on a glassy-winged sharpshooter trap from a packinghouse in the Orange Cove area of Fresno County. This has been the first time that the ACP has been detected in Fresno County since November 2019.

    Following confirmation of the ACP detections, agricultural staff from the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division (CPDPD) began conducting a survey and subsequently collected additional suspect ACP adults and nymphs from trees on the packinghouse premises, which were sent to the PPDC for identification.

    All residential properties with host plants within 400 meters of the detections in Fresno County will be treated to prevent ACP population spread. Any growers who are located within 800 meters of the detection site will be notified by the Fresno County Grower Liaison Teri Blaser.

    Following an increase in recent ACP detections across the Central Valley, including in Tulare and Kern counties, growers, packers, haulers and all citrus industry members are encouraged to be extra vigilant in their ACP mitigation steps and adherence to regulatory practices.

    Questions?
    Contact your regional grower liaison for the latest information on detections near you and coordinated or area-wide treatment schedules. Find your grower liaison here.

    Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

  • Citrus Growers Encouraged to Increase Vigilance Following Recent ACP Detections in Central Valley

    Following recent Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) detections in the Central Valley over the last few weeks, growers, packers, haulers and all citrus industry members are encouraged to be extra vigilant in their ACP mitigation steps and adherence to regulatory practices.

    Recently, multiple ACP were detected on traps at a packinghouse in the Woodlake area of Tulare County. Upon confirmation, visual delimitation surveys began the following day. Live adults or nymphs were found and collected at two more adjacent properties, including an abandoned parcel with citrus host plants. CDFA is working closely with the packinghouse to ensure regulatory compliance. Treatment of host plants on residential properties within 400 meters of the detection will be conducted by CDFA once all necessary notifications, emergency proclamations and public meetings have been held. Commercial citrus operations within 800 meters of the detections will be asked to conduct treatments as well.

    Additionally, one ACP was recently detected on a trap at a juice plant in Visalia, and upon completion of the visual delimitation survey of the find site and adjacent properties, there were no additional finds.

    In Kern County, three ACP trap detections have been identified in the last week. One in the city, and two in rural residential locations in Southwest Bakersfield. These are the first ACP detections found in Kern County since November 2021. CDFA teams have already begun delimitation surveys and treatments will be conducted on residential properties with host plants within a 50-meter area around the detections once proper notifications, emergency proclamations and public meetings have been held. There are no commercial operations for several miles around the Kern County detections.

    These detections are a resounding reminder to continue to follow ACP mitigation best practices and regulatory requirements to efficiently suppress ACP populations and prevent the spread of Huanglongbing to the Central Valley.

     

    If you suspect ACP or Huanglongbing in your orchard, please notify the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. For questions, contact Kern County Grower Liaison Judy Zaninovich at jsleslie@msn.com, Northern Tulare County Grower Liaison Teri Blaser at tblasersci@ocsnet.net or Southern Tulare County Grower Liaison Jessica Leslie at jess.leslie@hotmail.com.

  • Areawide, Coordinated ACP Treatment Participation More Important Than Ever For Citrus Growers

    Citrus Branch Infected by Citrus Disease Vector — Asian Citrus Psyllid

    As the threat of Huanglongbing (HLB) continues, industry members know that the best way to prevent HLB from infecting our groves is to limit populations of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), which spread the deadly disease. This winter, it’s critically important for California’s citrus growing operations to actively participate in local, area-wide or coordinated treatments to further boost our industry’s efforts in the fight against the ACP.

    Over the past year, ACP detections have been spiking throughout areas of the state where it has not been declared well-established, including parts of the Central Valley and Central Coast. While treatment strategies are different in various regions of the state, participation in area wide or coordinated treatments is crucial in suppressing ACP populations. When we work together by timing treatment applications, we can leverage the strongest counter punch possible by limiting the areas where psyllids find safe harbor to avoid these treatments. In the process, we can protect not only our own groves, but those of our neighbors.

    The cost to manage ACP populations is far less than what the potential costs should HLB spread into our commercial groves. One only has to turn their eyes to Florida for a crystal ball’s view into our future should we not take action. While we have successfully prevented HLB detections in California’s commercial citrus groves thus far, I encourage growers to invest in this “insurance policy” to provide the best continued protection we have against this formidable opponent.

    Florida Citrus Orchard Dying of Huanglongbing disease

    Our industry continues to make strides in the fight against HLB and the ACP, but we’re stronger when we work as a collective. It is important to connect with your local grower liaison or pest control district, or view the treatments schedules on CitrusInsider.org for details on treatments in your area, as the preferred timing of treatments will vary per region. For more information on ACP treatments and effective materials, see the University of California’s UCIPM Pest Management Guidelines for Asian Citrus Psyllid. If you suspect ACP or HLB in your grove, please notify the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. — By Jim Gorden, Chair, Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee

  • Growers Urged to Participate in Kern County Coordinated Treatment

    Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program — A significant number of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) detections in Kern County – more than 115 since this time last year – is a stark reminder to remain vigilant against the pest and the deadly disease it can spread, Huanglongbing (HLB). Last week, an adult ACP was confirmed from a commercial citrus trap in the east Edison area. This detection, along with two recent detections in Arvin residential properties, provides more urgency for growers with citrus east and south of Bakersfield to participate in the upcoming coordinated treatment.

    The preferred timing of the treatment is mid-August through mid-September to prevent ACP populations from building on the fall foliar flush. Coordinated treatments like this were done during the same time period in 2018 and 2019 with great success in significantly suppressing ACP populations in commercial citrus orchards.

    The San Joaquin Valley ACP/HLB Task Force recommends growers treat all commercial citrus orchards located south or east of Bakersfield – including young, non-bearing trees. For more information on ACP treatments and effective materials, see the University of California’s UCIPM Pest Management Guidelines for Asian Citrus Psyllid.

    Past coordinated treatments in the county have been successful in suppressing ACP populations. By participating in this late summer/early fall treatment, Kern County can greatly reduce the number of psyllids, and thus reduce the risk of HLB being transmitted to our commercial citrus.

    If you suspect ACP in your orchard, please notify the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. For questions, contact Kern County Grower Liaison Judy Zaninovich at jsleslie@msn.com or 559-730-8691 or the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at 661-868-6300.

  • Successful HLB Management Strategy in CA Focuses on Everyone Doing Their Part

    What Nobel Prize-winning Economics Research Tells Us About ACP and HLB Management in California

    As you have likely heard many times, coordinating management measures for the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and Huanglongbing (HLB) over a larger scale than individual properties is key to achieving effective control and limiting the spread of the disease. Coordination is important in terms of surveying for HLB-positive trees and removing them from the ground as soon as possible, applying insecticide treatments at the same time for multiple citrus groves within a Psyllid Management Area (PMA) or a Pest Control District (PCD), complying with quarantine measures for the movement of bulk citrus, using certified budwood and sharing information with neighbors.

    But this coordination comes at a cost, and some individuals may be tempted to skip the costs of treating within the recommended window for ACP, correctly tarping their trucks, or even investing some time to convince their neighbors about the importance of these measures. Yet, if everyone skipped these costs and relied on the efforts of others, the ability of the citrus industry to combat HLB would be greatly reduced, leading to a higher risk of HLB spread in California.

    This temptation to free-ride on the efforts of others exists in the management of many natural resources, such as groundwater, fisheries or forests. In 2009, social scientist Elinor Ostrom received the Nobel Prize for Economics for studying how societies organized themselves to manage these types of resources and avoid the problem of free-riding. Throughout her career, she studied many different cases of this problem in different parts of the world, and she identified eight principles that were associated with sustained collective action. Interestingly, most of these principles are present in the strategy for HLB management in California, as shown in the table below.

    Due to a lack of participation in coordinated mitigation tactics – the free-rider problem – a similar HLB-management program in Florida was not as effective in keeping HLB at bay. But California has so far been more successful in achieving collective action than other infected areas like Florida, and as is seeing more success in preventing the spread of ACP and HLB, including keeping HLB out of commercial groves.

    To continue to stay a step ahead of HLB, it is crucial that California’s citrus industry and residents remain vigilant and engage in coordinated management efforts and follow best practices and regulatory requirements.

    Although Ostrom’s principles do not offer a universal solution to all free-riding problems, they can be useful to guide our efforts as we continue to work together to face the threat of HLB.

    More information on her research, which was recently published in Food Security Journal, can be found on https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-020-01133-9 — By Sara Garcia Figuera, Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

    Design Principle (Ostrom, 1990) HLB Management in California
    1. Clearly defined boundaries: the boundaries define who is responsible for the collective effort and over what area, reducing the cost of monitoring behavior.
    • PMAs
    • PCDs
    2A. Congruence between rules and local conditions: the rules that are established for the management and maintenance of a resource are aligned with the predominant social norms, culture and agro-ecological conditions in a community.
    • Rules defined by the citrus industry through Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee (CPDPC) in collaboration with County Agricultural Commissioners (CACs) and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
    • Some pre-existing PCDs
    • Quarantine zones and rules defined by local conditions (citrus production, ACP populations and/or climatic suitability)
    2B. Congruence between appropriation and provision rules: correspondence between the rules governing contributions to the maintenance of the resource system, and the rules governing withdrawal of resources from the system.
    • Insecticide treatments for ACP funded by individual growers.
    • Other assessments based on production volume (CPDPP) or acreage (PCD)
    3. Collective-choice arrangements: if local users who directly interact with one another can define the rules that regulate the day-to-day decisions about the use of a shared resource, they will be in a better position to incorporate local knowledge.
    • AWM organized locally through PCDs or PMAs
    • CPDPC establishes rules in collaboration with CDFA
    4A. Monitoring users: a community needs to be able to identify users that do not comply with rules; otherwise there can be no credible commitment. Monitoring should be undertaken by the resource users, better than by external authorities.
    • Seasonal reports of areas treated for ACP
    • Packinghouse inspections of grate cleaning or spray & harvest
    4B. Monitoring the resource: assesses the extent to which the collective effort is being achieved.
    • ACP monitoring by CDFA, CACs, Citrus Research Board (CRB) and pest control advisors (PCAs) hired by growers
    5. Graduated sanctions: Although sanctioning prevents an excessive violation of community rules, sanctions should be graduated based on the severity and/or repetition of violations to ensure proportionality. And they should be imposed by the resource users or officials accountable to them, to maintain community cohesion.
    • If less than 90% of the acreage is treated in a PMA or PCD, it will not qualify for the residential buffer treatment
    • When there is a violation of the tarping requirement, a notice of violation is sent before further sanctions
    6. Conflict-resolution mechanisms: Low-cost conflict resolution prevents the cost of conflict from outweighing the benefits of successful collective action.
    • Task Force meetings and other public meetings have been used for addressing conflicts
    7. Minimal recognition of rights to organize:Local institutions are more effective when higher levels of government allow users to self-organize in ways that reflect local social and ecological contexts.
    • CPDPC
    • PCDs
    • Grower leader in PMAs
    8. Nested enterprises: refers to the importance of connecting smaller social systems that manage different parts of a larger resource system to facilitate cross-scale coordination.
    • Statewide program coordinated at the regional, county and local level
    • Grower liaisons

  • Tarped Against Asian Citrus Psyllid

    Researchers at the California Data Analysis and Tactical Operations Center (DATOC) have analyzed Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) trapping data along major transportation routes before and after tarping regulations for bulk citrus shipments were enacted. The purpose was to determine the effectiveness of the policy.

    DATOC is an independent group of scientists sponsored by the Citrus Research Board and the California Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program. The group was formed in 2016 to create and amend tactical response plans for huanglongbing (HLB) suppression and management for California citrus.

    DATOC found a significant reduction in the rate of ACP finds throughout the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) after tarping regulations went into effect. The SJV contains more than 70% of California’s packinghouses. Coastal and Southern California counties ship more than 63 million pounds of bulk citrus into the SJV annually for processing.

    Source: Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

    In years past, ACP populations have soared as they presumably “hitchhiked” on trucks that weren’t properly covered, coming from Southern California into the SJV and threatening the livelihood of commercial groves throughout California along the way. However, after the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) required tarping in 2017, DATOC data shows that tarping has effectively reduced ACP movement.

    While these results are encouraging, scientists say that growers must continue to remain vigilant. In a recent letter, Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee (CPDPC) chairman Jim Gorden stated that ACP populations are expected to “flare up” occasionally, such as the late 2020 ACP detections in Kern, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Tulare, Contra Costa and other counties.

    The CPDPC emphasizes that growers, packers, transporters and other stakeholders must continue to stay on top of this elusive ACP pest and the dangerous HLB disease it spreads. The upfront cost to manage ACP is much less than the potential hit to the citrus industry if HLB spreads throughout the state.

    In order to move bulk citrus from an ACP regional quarantine zone or a HLB quarantine area under the terms of the permit(s), growers, grove managers, haulers and harvesters must comply with the CDFA’s transporting requirement as detailed in their order. Get specific details here. — By Ben Faber, UCCE Advisor, Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties

  • Adding ACP-Effective Materials to Suppress Kern County HLB Vectoring Pest in Citrus

    ACP/HLB San Joaquin Valley Task Force – To Citrus Growers in the Kern County area: last fall and early this year, there has been a significant number of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) trap detections (over 100) in Kern County. The detections occurred in residential properties, as well as commercial citrus areas in Kern County – especially the City of Bakersfield and areas south and east of it. Unfortunately, in addition to the trap detections, live breeding populations of ACP were discovered by CDFA survey crews in both residential and commercial citrus. Although these detection areas were treated, there is significant concern low level ACP populations may still exist undetected and left to build on the new spring flush. It is imperative for us to continue our efforts to protect Kern County citrus from the devastating effects of Huanglongbing (HLB) – especially in light of the significant level of HLB-positive citrus trees found just south in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. An established population of ACP increases the threat of HLB but will also cause the need for additional insecticide treatments to try to suppress the population. Additionally, if HLB is detected and confirmed by CDFA, critical regulatory changes may affect everyone. Given the posed risks, it is important the San Joaquin Valley keep ACP populations as close to eradicated as possible.

    The San Joaquin Valley ACP/HLB Area-Wide Task Force has been tracking and analyzing all ACP detections to date in Kern County. After recent review of the data, the Task Force strongly recommends growers add an ACP-effective material to their pre-bloom or spring foliar treatments – the sooner, the better since ACP build populations on the young leaf flush.  Fortunately, this timing coincides with pre-bloom treatments and treatments for katydid, worms, thrips and other pests.  See below for material examples from the University of California.

    IMPORTANT: If there is any open bloom in the orchard, state bloom regulations and pesticide label pollinator protections must be followed.  Contact the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office for details at (661) 868-6300.

    WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO:

    1. Consider treating ALL your citrus blocks in Kern County, especially if they are located east and south of Bakersfield – including non-bearing trees and blocks not normally treated at this time.
    1. Use an ACP-effective insecticide next time you are treating the block. The sooner, the better – click on the link below for a list of ACP-effective insecticides from the University of California: Asian Citrus Psyllid / Citrus / Agriculture: Pest Management Guidelines / UC Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM) (ucanr.edu)

    Examples of ACP-effective materials which also suppress Katydids (from the UCIPM Guidelines):

    • Danitol
    • Baythroid
    • Mustang
    • Micromite
    • Entrust

    Examples of ACP-effective materials that can be used during the bloom period – some with restrictions (ALWAYS check the pesticide label and state bloom regulations prior to use):

    • Sivanto
    • Sefina
    • Micromite
    • Beleaf
    • Fujimite
    • ** = Restricted use to only 1 hour after sunset until 5 hours before sunrise.
    • **Delegate
    • **Entrust
    • **Exirel
    1. Suggested Dilution – 100 to 300 g.p.a. for airblast sprayers. FYI – many nutritional products are compatible with ACP insecticides however you should always check with your PCA before tank mixing.
    1. Please treat the borders of the block first, if possible, since ACP tend to populate block borders first. This way ACP will be driven toward the center of the block where they will get treated instead of away from the block and miss treatment.

    By adding an ACP-effective material to your spring foliar treatment, we will greatly lower both the ACP population and the risk of HLB being transmitted into our trees. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding this important effort by the SJV ACP/HLB Area-Wide Task Force.

    Sincerely,
    The ACP/HLB San Joaquin Valley Task Force

    For additional information on Kern County operations, please contact:
    Judy Zaninovich
    ACP/HLB Grower Liaison for Kern County
    (559) 730-8691
    jsleslie@msn.com

  • First CLas-Positive Asian Citrus Psyllid Found in San Diego

    An Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) sample – confirmed positive for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacteria that causes Huanglongbing (HLB) – was collected from a residential property in the Fallbrook area of San Diego County. Confirmed by Citrus Research Board’s Jerry Dimitman Laboratory, this adult psyllid sample is the first CLas-positive ACP found in San Diego County.

    While the first confirmation of a CLas-positive ACP in San Diego County is concerning, as of today, HLB has not been detected in any San Diego County trees but surveying and sampling of area trees is ongoing. This find signals a critical time for homeowners and growers alike to continue to control ACP populations to stop the potential spread of this deadly disease, as oftentimes a CLas-positive ACP precedes the detection of an HLB-positive tree.

    The HLB quarantine zone will not be expanded as a result of this CLas-positive ACP detection and CDFA staff is swiftly conducting surveys and collecting samples from HLB host plants that are located within a 250-meter radius around the find, per the ACP/HLB Action Plan.

    While treatment is not mandatory for area commercial growers as a result of the detection, San Diego County commercial growers who have additional questions can contact Sandra Zwaal, San Diego County Grower Liaison, at szwaal2@gmail.com.

    CLICK HERE for additional information from Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) Citrus Insider.

    Source: Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) Citrus Insider

  • Stay Vigilant with Asian Citrus Psyllid Finds on the Rise

    In the past few months, we have seen sporadic Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) detections popping up across California. While the citrus industry’s efforts have thus far kept Huanglongbing (HLB) out of commercial groves, these recent ACP detections are a reminder that we cannot let our guard down. The most effective way to prevent the spread of HLB is to keep psyllids out of our orchards.

    After ACP detections in multiple counties (Kern, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Tulare, Contra Costa and others) were confirmed earlier this fall — including areas with historically low ACP activity — the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee is encouraging all growers to stay informed, scout for ACP and treat when advised.

    The recommendations outlined in the Voluntary Grower Response Plan, developed collaboratively by growers and scientists, represent the most effective tools known to the citrus industry at this time and are meant to supplement the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s required regulatory response. You can help prevent the spread of ACP by following these best practices, participating in recommended winter treatments and ensuring haulers and transporters are tarping loads.

    While we should expect to see this type of “flare up” occasionally, we need to remain vigilant – even when things are quiet – to ensure we continue to stay on top of this elusive pest and the dangerous disease it spreads. The upfront cost to manage ACP is much less than the potential hit to our industry if HLB spreads throughout the state. To date, HLB has only been identified in backyard citrus trees in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and hasn’t made its way into a commercial citrus grove yet. To keep HLB out of commercial citrus, psyllid control is especially critical this season with warmer weather encouraging more pests.

    Here is what you can do:

    • Follow the best practices outlined in the Voluntary Grower Response Plan for Huanglongbing
    • Participate in treatment strategies recommended by the University of California (UC)
    • Adhere to tarping regulations that help keep pests from hitching a ride to new areas of the state

    Visit citrusinsider.org for more information and resources on the voluntary grower best practices, tarping regulations and UC treatment recommendations.

    Questions?
    Contact your regional grower liaison for the latest information on detections near you and coordinated or area-wide treatment schedules. Find your grower liaison here.

    Let’s work together to protect California citrus for your businesses, neighbors and generations to come.

    Sincerely,
    Jim Gorden
    Chair, Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee

  • To all San Joaquin Valley Citrus Growers

    The ACP/HLB San Joaquin Valley Task Force called a meeting on October 8, 2020 due to the increased number of ACP trap finds in the southern part of Kern County. In the last month (September and into October), there

    have been a total of 35 ACP trap finds in the areas of the south part of Bakersfield, Arvin, Lamont, Mettler, and Maricopa. There were 15 residential and 20 commercial citrus sticky trap finds. While there have been finds in

    some of these areas in the past, the amount of detections in this last 30-day period is alarming. The Asian citrus psyllid, as a reminder, transmits Huanglongbing; the best way to avoid HLB is to control ACP which the valley has been successfully doing. 2020 has been a suspiciously quiet year for ACP finds but now, it is time to act.

    We are now in the late part of the season where most spray programs have already been executed. A coordinated spray is not recommended at this time. Kern County growers are encouraged to use an ACP effective material if they have not done so in the last six weeks. It is prudent for all growers to use ACP effective materials when treating other pests. Regarding the residential finds, CDFA is at various stages of treating them. Prior to these finds, CDFA had released Tamarixia radiata in certain residential areas of Kern County. Future Tamarixia releases are scheduled.

    The task force wants to convey the seriousness of what is being seen and what it means to our industry. Unfortunately, the suspicion is that these finds in commercial citrus are spilling over from residential properties. It is up to the citrus industry to deal with this threat. San Joaquin Valley citrus growers have done a good job using ACP effective materials when treating. The cooperation shown by growers during coordinated treatments reflects their commitment to keeping ACP suppressed. Nevertheless, task force members wished to highlight what should be done to help control the Asian citrus psyllid here in the valley.

    It is even more imperative to control the psyllid due to the find of a CLas positive ACP in commercial citrus down in the Riverside area. That was a wake-up call. We cannot, as an industry and in good conscience, dismiss that find. Growers and Pest Control Advisors need to be diligent. The following best practices must be a part of the regime tending to citrus groves.

    What do Growers and Pest Control Advisors need to do? It is easy to say, “follow the best practices”, but there are key elements that the task force believes is important. All the guidelines should be adhered to, but these are the key elements:

    A. Know When and Where Asian citrus psyllids might be present.
    – flush is what attracts the psyllid. Nice, tender leaves and stems. Like candy to an ACP.
    – citrus varieties matter. Lemons flush constantly. Grapefruit, oranges, and mandarins will have fewer flush cycles.
    – know when flushes occur. Spring, late summer for established trees. Younger trees have extensive, prolonged flush. Topping and hedging will produce flush. Spraying with kaolin stimulates flush also.

    – temperature determines how long a flush will last. Hot temps lead to quick hardening of the plant growth. Cooler temps prolong flush.

    1. Scout for Asian citrus psyllids (Yellow sticky traps are a passive method to determine presence of ACP).

      – use both visual and tap surveying.
      – survey along the borders, psyllids tend to not go deeper into groves unless the population is high (they do not like each other very much). If very wide plantings or very wide wind machine rows exist, then check along them too. Younger trees and shorter trees will allow the psyllids to travel farther into the grove.
      – do more frequent surveys during flush. Monthly surveys work when the vegetation is hardened off, unless the trees are close to a find, then sampling frequency should increase.

    2. Be aware of inadvertently transporting ACP.
      – clean equipment used before moving to the next property. Applies to anyone working in a grove; especially picking crews, trimming crews, irrigators, Pest Control Advisors, and the growers themselves.
      – check clothing and vehicles for insect hitchhikers. Shake out hats, bags, clothing. Sweep down vehicles.
      – do not park vehicles in the rows, park outside of the grove.

    3. If possible, use ACP effective materials when treating other pests, following label instructions.

    4. Follow the requirements when moving bulk harvested citrus.

    5. Be aware of developments!
      – receive newsletters from San Joaquin Valley Grower Liaisons.

    Fresno County Northern Tulare County Southern Tulare County Kern County

    – subscribe to industry publications.

    Sylvie Robillard Teri Blaser Jessica Leslie Judy Zaninovich

    FresnoACP@yahoo.com TBlaserSCI@ocsnet.net jess.leslie@hotmail.com jleslie@msn.com

    These were felt to be the most important points of the voluntary best practices. The ACP/HLB San Joaquin Valley Tack Force felt it was important to write this letter to all the valley citrus growers because as of this moment, the valley has not discovered a CLas positive Asian citrus psyllid or a CLas positive tree. The members of the task force believe that the industry must operate under the assumption that there are positive psyllids and trees in the valley; they just have not been found yet. If the industry relaxes its vigilance that is when Huanglongbing will become established and cause havoc. Thank you for taking the time to read this and may each and all stay safe and well.

    Sincerely,

    The ACP/HLB San Joaquin Valley Task Force